Abstract
Introduction: After a perinatal arterial ischemic stroke (PAIS), ischemic tissue can be clearly visualised using diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) and the derived apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) map. Aim of this study was to quantify the course of ADC values of the stroke throughout the first week.
Methods: Term born infants born between 2003 and 2010, whose PAIS was confirmed using DWI within the first week of life were included. A second scan was acquired at the age of three months and included an IR and T2 sequence.
Regions of interest were drawn on the ADC map of the first scan in the area which evolved to an area of cavitation on the second scan. Linear regression analysis was performed to assess the relationship between postnatal age (hours) and the ADC value.
Results: Forty-two infants were scanned. Territories involved included MCA main branch (10), MCA cortical branch (17), MCA lenticulostriatal (1), PCA (7) and watershed areas (7). Mean postnatal age at scan was 105h (range: 57-167h). When analyzing the whole group the postnatal age correlated with the ADC value (R2=0.38, p< 0.001). This correlation was also present in the MCA main and MCA cortical branches subgroups (R2=0.54, p=0.02 and R2=0.58, p< 0.001 respectively).
Conclusion: Between day 2 and 7 a significant correlation between postnatal age and ADC value of the stroke area was found in the core of the ischemic tissue. Although a small number of scans was used, this correlation might be useful to estimate the timing of the onset of stroke.
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Van Der Aa, N., Benders, M., Anbeek, P. et al. 108 The Course of Apparent Diffusion Coefficient After Perinatal Arterial Ischemic Stroke. Pediatr Res 68 (Suppl 1), 58 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-201011001-00108
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-201011001-00108