title: Diffusion-weighted imaging of intramural hematoma in vertebral artery dissection.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Dissections of the carotid and vertebral arteries can be detected by several imaging modalities, but there is yet no consensus on the most efficient and effective choice.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in four patients with vertebral artery dissection documented with T2- and T1-weighted axial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and conventional angiography. Intervals from the onset of headache to evaluation ranged from one day to two weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All the patients showed high signal intensity within the affected vertebral artery on DWI.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The movements of water molecules are more or less restricted within the clots according to the stage of thrombus formation in arterial dissection. Our study may provide another potential imaging method in the difficult task of proving arterial dissection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Pusan National University Hospital, Pusan National University School of Medicine and Medical Research Institute, Seo-gu, Busan, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Kwang-Dong
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Jae-Wook
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Jo
authors.forename: Kyung-Pil
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Ji Soo
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Tae-Hong
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Hak Jin
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Dae Soo
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Jung
mesh_terms: D002533:Cerebral Angiography; D038524:Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D005260:Female; D006406:Hematoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014711:Vertebral Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D020217:Vertebral Artery Dissection / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*