Higher prevalence of cortical lesions observed in patients with acute stroke using high-resolution diffusion-weighted imaging.
Ischemic lesion conspicuity on routine diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI, 30 seconds) was compared with an improved sequence (high-resolution DWI [DWI-HR], 256 seconds) having increased spatial resolution and signal to noise and decreased eddy current artifact in 42 patients with acute ischemic stroke. Total lesion volumes were similar; however, twice as many lesions were identified on DWI-HR, predominately in cortical gray matter. Modest improvements to imaging resulted in increased conspicuity, potentially affecting diagnosis, suspected pathogenic mechanism, and therapeutic decision.
Benameur
K
K
Section on Stroke Diagnostics and Therapeutics, National Institute on Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892-1063, USA.
Bykowski
J L
JL
Luby
M
M
Warach
S
S
Latour
L L
LL
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000473:pathology*; D002544:Cerebral Infarction / Q000175:diagnosis*; D038524:Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D017352:Echo-Planar Imaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008297:Male; D008432:Mathematical Computing; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity