Restricted diffusion in spinal cord infarction demonstrated by magnetic resonance line scan diffusion imaging.
OBJECTIVE
We report on the use of line scan diffusion magnetic resonance imaging in the evaluation of spinal cord infarctions.


METHODS
Data on 19 patients with clinical findings consistent with spinal cord infarctions and abnormal findings on line scan diffusion imaging were reviewed. The Apparent Diffusion Coefficient (ADC) measurements for the normal spinal cord and for the areas of abnormality were calculated from trace ADC maps.


RESULTS
Restricted diffusion was found in all 19 patients. Absolute ADC values in the ischemic area ranged between 395.4 and 575.8 × 10(-6) mm(2)/s, with ADC ratios ranging between 39.4% and 57.4%.


CONCLUSIONS
Line scan diffusion imaging is technically feasible and appears to be a reliable method to diagnose spinal cord infarction in the acute setting.
Department of Neuroradiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA. rnoguei@emory.edu
Raul G
RG
Nogueira
Rafael
R
Ferreira
P Ellen
PE
Grant
Stephan E
SE
Maier
Walter J
WJ
Koroshetz
Ramon G
RG
Gonzalez
Kevin N
KN
Sheth
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017544:Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / Q000150:complications; D038524:Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D007238:Infarction / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020335:Paraparesis / Q000209:etiology; D012737:Sex Factors; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000473:pathology; D013118:Spinal Cord Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D013120:Spinal Cord Neoplasms / Q000150:complications