[Quantitative analysis of regional cerebral blood flow in elderly with white matter lesions].
OBJECTIVE
To observe whether the severity of white matter lesions (WML) is related to ischemia in elderly.


METHODS
WML were divided into 2 categories (centrum semiovale and periventricular regions) and four grades (grade 0, grade 1, grade 2 and grade 3) according to the severity of WML showing on the FLAIR sequence of MRI using modified Fazekas scale. The values of regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) within WML and other brain regions were measured using Xenon contrast CT.


RESULTS
Mean rCBF (ml x 100 g(-1) x min(-1)) within lesions around periventricular areas, in right and left centrum semiovale were 20.8 +/- 2.8, 22.3 +/- 1.9 and 22.2 +/- 2.1 in grade 0; 20.3 +/- 2.5, 21.3 +/- 1.0 and 21.0 +/- 1.8 in grade1; 16.3 +/- 2.0, 15.6 +/- 1.7 and 15.9 +/- 0.9 in grade 2; 14.1 +/- 2.6, 14.5 +/- 2.2 and 14.2 +/- 1.9 in grade 3 respectively. The severity of WML is associated significantly with reduction of rCBF within lesions both in centrum semiovale and periventricular regions (all P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in rCBF values between grade 0 and 1, but significant differences existed between grade 0 and grades 2 and 3, between grade 1 and grades 2 and 3 (all P < 0.05). Statistical significance also existed between the severity of white matter lesions and rCBF in bilateral temporal lobes and lentiform nucleases (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The severity of WML both in centrum semiovale and periventricular regions is associated significantly with reduction of rCBF within lesions.
Fu
Jian-hui
JH
Department of Neurology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China. jianhuifu@126.com
Yuan
Jing
J
Li
Sheng
S
Guo
Qi-hao
QH
Hong
Zhen
Z
Dong
Qiang
Q
Lü
Chuan-zhen
CZ
Zhao
Qian-hua
QH
D000368:Aged; D001921:Brain / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000473:pathology*; D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012039:Regional Blood Flow; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods