Does reversal of ischemia on diffusion-weighted imaging reflect higher apparent diffusion coefficient values?

J Neuroimaging. 2001 Jul;11(3):313-6. doi: 10.1111/j.1552-6569.2001.tb00053.x.

Abstract

This study investigated whether ischemia on diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) that reverses has higher apparent diffusion coefficients (ADCs). A patient treated with thrombolytics was evaluated with serial magnetic resonance imaging studies before treatment, at 3 and 14 days and at 4 weeks. A 100.01-cm3 left frontoparietal stroke on baseline DWI was only 18.11 cm3 (18%) on 4-week fluid attenuated inversion recovery. The mean ADC was 7.43 x 10(-3) mm2/s in the 6 regions that reversed and 7.31 x 10(-3) mm2/s in the 6 regions that persisted (P < .036). With thrombolytic treatment, large ischemic lesions on DWI may reverse, and these areas display higher mean ADCs.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Brain Ischemia / diagnosis*
  • Brain Ischemia / drug therapy
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods*
  • Middle Aged
  • Thrombolytic Therapy