Value of diffusion-weighted imaging in patients with a nonlocalizing examination and vasospasm from subarachnoid hemorrhage.
We evaluated the value of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in patients with suspected vasospasm from subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), including DWI, was performed in 5 patients with vasospasm resulting from SAH. Restricted diffusion (ischemia) was present in 3 patients with symptomatic vasospasm. A diffusion abnormality was not demonstrated in 2 patients with asymptomatic vasospasm despite persistently elevated velocities by transcranial Doppler ultrasonography in 1. In this patient, serial MRI studies showed no ischemia. Our results suggest that DWI may provide a method to assess the presence and severity of ischemia in patients with SAH and vasospasm and assist in patient management.
Phan
Thanh G
TG
Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA.
Huston
John
J
Campeau
Norbert G
NG
Wijdicks
Eelco F M
EF
Atkinson
John L D
JL
Fulgham
Jimmy R
JR
D000328:Adult; D002533:Cerebral Angiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D013345:Subarachnoid Hemorrhage / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014463:Ultrasonography; D020301:Vasospasm, Intracranial / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology