Predictability of motor outcome according to the time of diffusion tensor imaging in patients with cerebral infarct.
BACKGROUND
Predictability of diffusion tensor imaging tractography (DTT) for motor outcome can differ according to the time of DTT. We attempted to compare the predictability for motor outcome according to the time of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) by analyzing the corticospinal tract (CST) integrity on DTT in patients with corona radiata (CR) infarct.


METHODS
Seventy-one consecutive hemiparetic patients with CR infarct were recruited. Motor function of the affected extremities was measured twice: at onset and at 6 months from onset. According to the time of DTI, patients were classified into two groups: the early scanning group (ES group) within 14 days since stroke onset; and the late scanning group (LS group) 15-28 days. Motor outcome was compared with the CST integrity on DTT.


RESULTS
Motor prognosis was predicted from scan time of DTI and the CST integrity on DTT in the logistic regression model. According to separate regression analysis, the CST integrity of the late group was found to predict MI score (OR = 14.000, 95% CI = 3.194-61.362, p < 0.05), whereas the CST integrity of the early group was not found to predict MI score.


CONCLUSIONS
In terms of both positive and negative predictabilities, we found that predictability of DTT for motor outcome was better in patients who were scanned later (15-28 days after onset) than in patients who were scanned earlier (1-14 days after onset).
Department of Physical Therapy, Yeungnam College of Science and Technology, Taegu, Republic of Korea.
Yong Hyun
YH
Kwon
Yong Jae
YJ
Jeoung
Jun
J
Lee
Su Min
SM
Son
Saeyoon
S
Kim
Chulseung
C
Kim
Sung Ho
SH
Jang
D002544:Cerebral Infarction / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D056324:Diffusion Tensor Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D020127:Recovery of Function