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[Evaluation of hemodynamics in cerebral infarction using MRI with FAIR sequence]
1Department of Neurological Surgery, Washokai Sadamoto Hospital, Ehime, Japan.
Abstract:
In comparison with 99mTc-ECD SPECT, the usefulness for evaluation of cerebral blood flow by the perfusion images using MRI with FAIR sequence was studied in ischemic stroke patients. Among 27 cases, 15 patients showed lacunar infarctions and 12 patients showed cortical infarctions determined by T2 weighted MR images. FAIR images were obtained as single images at the slice position running through the basal ganglia or corona radiata. The inversion times(TI) were varied, ranging from 800 to 1,400 msec. In 15 patients without definite low perfusions in the SPECT study, FAIR images showed sequentially proxymal arterial branches in early phase and distal arterial branches or capillary beds in the cortical tissues in a late phase as the TI was elongated. Nine of the 12 patients with low cerebral perfusions in the SPECT study showed perfusion defects in FAIR imaging. Five of the 12 patients with a small low cerebral perfusion area in the SPECT study showed a delay of the depiction of cortical arteries along with TI elongation. In 3 patients, ischemic lesions demonstrated by the SPECT study was not shown in the MRI study because of motion artifacts. In conclusion, FAIR imagings are considered to be useful in the evaluation of cerebral flow dynamics in the ischemic stroke patients.
Insights
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) with FAIR sequence effectively evaluates cerebral blood flow in ischemic stroke patients, correlating well with technetium-99m ethyl cysteinate dimer single-photon emission computed tomography (99mTc-ECD SPECT). This MRI technique aids in diagnosing perfusion defects.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Radiology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Cerebral blood flow (CBF) evaluation is crucial for diagnosing and managing ischemic stroke.
- Technetium-99m ethyl cysteinate dimer single-photon emission computed tomography (99mTc-ECD SPECT) is a conventional method for assessing CBF.
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) offers advanced imaging capabilities for neurological conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the usefulness of perfusion images obtained by MRI with the FAIR (Flow-sensitive Alternating Inversion Recovery) sequence for assessing CBF in ischemic stroke patients.
- To compare the diagnostic performance of FAIR sequence MRI with 99mTc-ECD SPECT.
Main Methods:
- Twenty-seven ischemic stroke patients were studied, with infarcts classified by T2-weighted MRI.
- FAIR sequence MRI was performed, varying inversion times (TI) from 800 to 1,400 msec.
- FAIR images were analyzed for perfusion defects and compared with findings from 99mTc-ECD SPECT.
Main Results:
- In patients without definite SPECT perfusion defects, FAIR imaging showed sequential depiction of arterial branches and capillary beds with increasing TI.
- Nine out of 12 patients with low cerebral perfusion on SPECT demonstrated perfusion defects on FAIR imaging.
- FAIR imaging revealed delayed cortical artery depiction in five patients with small perfusion defects on SPECT, and motion artifacts affected three cases.
Conclusions:
- FAIR sequence MRI is considered a useful tool for evaluating cerebral blood flow dynamics in ischemic stroke patients.
- FAIR MRI findings correlate with SPECT in identifying perfusion abnormalities.
- FAIR imaging provides valuable insights into regional cerebral perfusion in stroke.
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