title: Diffuse axonal injury with selective involvement of the corticospinal tract. A diffusion tensor imaging case study.
abstract: The identification of diffuse axonal injury (DAI) can be difficult, especially using conventional imaging (CT or MRI), which usually appears normal. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is useful in identifying white matter abnormalities in patients with DAI. We describe the case of a 17-year-old female with severe closed head injury and right-side hemiparesis, studied with DTI and MR-tractography. In this case, DTI was useful to detect focal and diffuse signs of DAI.
authors.affiliation: NESMOS, Neuroradiology Department, S.Andrea Hospital, Sapienza University; Rome, Italy - e-mail:valeria.coppola.doc@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Tavanti
authors.affiliation: NESMOS, Neuroradiology Department, S.Andrea Hospital, Sapienza University; Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Valeria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Coppola
authors.affiliation: Fondazione San Raffaele; Ceglie Messapica, Brindisi, Italy.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Romano
authors.affiliation: Fondazione San Raffaele; Ceglie Messapica, Brindisi, Italy.
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Beccia
authors.affiliation: NESMOS, Neuroradiology Department, S.Andrea Hospital, Sapienza University; Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Giorgia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Giuliani
authors.affiliation: IRCSS San Raffaele Pisana; Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pierallini
authors.affiliation: NESMOS, Neuroradiology Department, S.Andrea Hospital, Sapienza University; Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bozzao
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D065850:Cerebral Peduncle / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D020833:Diffuse Axonal Injury / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D056324:Diffusion Tensor Imaging; D005260:Female; D016489:Head Injuries, Closed / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D010291:Paresis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D011712:Pyramidal Tracts / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*
keywords: MRI; diffuse axonal injury; diffusion tensor imaging; excitotoxic oedema