Use of susceptibility-weighted imaging in assessing ischemic penumbra: A case report.
BACKGROUND
The ischemic penumbra assessment is essential for the subsequent therapy and prediction of evolution in patients with acute ischemic infraction. Although controversial as a perfect equivalence to penumbra, perfusion-weighted imaging (PWI)-diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) mismatch may predict the response to thrombolysis. Due to the reliance of PWI on contrast agents, noninvasive alternatives remain an unmet need.


METHODS
We reported a 65-year-old man complained of paroxysmal hemiplegia of his right limbs and anepia for 2 days, whereas the symptoms lasted for about 12 hours when he admitted to the hospital.


METHODS
We diagnosed it as acute ischemic stroke caused by the left middle cerebral artery stenosis.


METHODS
Susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI), multimodal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) work-up which includes conventional MRI sequences (T1WI, T2WI, and FLAIR), DWI, PWI.


RESULTS
His DWI-SWI mismatch was comparable to that of DWI-PWI at admission, suggesting that DWI-SWI could predict ischemic penumbra in patient with acute infarction. He refused the digital subtraction angiography examination or stenting, and he was treated with aspirin, atorvastain, and supportive treatment. The patient received a reexamination of the conventional MRI and SWI 11 days later. Expansion of the infarction in the affected MCA territory resulted from the penumbra indicated by the mismatch between DWI-SWI.


CONCLUSIONS
SWI can be used as a noninvasive alternative to evaluate the ischemic penumbra. Besides, SWI can provide perfusion information comparable to PWI and SWI is sufficient to identify occlusive arteries.
Neuroscience Center, Department of Neurology, The First Hospital of Jilin University Department of Neurosurgery, the Second Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin University, Changchun, China.
Xiujuan
X
Wu
Song
S
Luo
Ying
Y
Wang
Yang
Y
Chen
Jun
J
Liu
Jing
J
Bai
Jiachun
J
Feng
Hongliang
H
Zhang
D000368:Aged; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D038524:Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D015427:Reperfusion Injury / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D020521:Stroke / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*