title: Evaluation of a new Spin-echo diffusion-weighted sequence on a 0.35 T open magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-system: first experiences within 3 h after acute stroke.
abstract: In acute stroke, diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging helps to select patients who are eligible for thrombolysis, but is almost exclusively implemented on closed-bore scanners, which make monitoring of patients difficult. We developed and tested a cardiac gated Spin-echo diffusion-weighted sequence with prescan finetrim and motion correction on an open system with 0.35 T. Nineteen stroke patients appropriate for thrombolytic therapy by clinical criteria were enrolled in a prospective study on an intention-to-treat basis. In all but one patient, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging including the new diffusion-weighted sequence were performed within 3 h after symptom onset. Images were evaluated for acute cerebral ischemia and hemorrhage by two radiologists blinded to clinical information. Magnetic resonance imaging required a mean total acquisition time of 26 min. Sensitivity for early infarction was 94% in diffusion-weighted imaging and 73% in computed tomography. Six patients were excluded from thrombolysis due to an infarct size of more than 1/3 of the territory of the middle cerebral artery exclusively diagnosed with diffusion-weighted imaging. Hemorrhage was recognised by both, magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography. We conclude that in acute stroke, diffusion-weighted imaging with an open system at 0.35 T is practicable. The implemented sequence reliably demonstrated the size of the infarction and improved the selection of patients who are eligible for thrombolysis.
authors.affiliation: Clinic for Diagnostic Radiology and Neuroradiology, Klinikum Augsburg, Germany.
authors.forename: W A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Wohlgemuth
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Schulte-Altedorneburg
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Becker
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zha
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kramer
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kirchhof
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002543:Cerebral Hemorrhage / Q000175:diagnosis; D002544:Cerebral Infarction / Q000175:diagnosis; D038524:Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D017352:Echo-Planar Imaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D020521:Stroke / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed