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Diffusion Tensor Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Analysis of Neurodegenerative Diseases
Published on: July 28, 2013
[Diffusion-weighted imaging of brain death: study of apparent diffusion coefficient].
1Department of Acute Medicine, Kawasaki Medical School, 577 Matsushima, Kurashiki-shi, Okayama 701-0192, Japan.
No to Shinkei = Brain and Nerve
|January 5, 2002
Summary
Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) shows characteristic high signals in the brain after brain death. Measuring apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values with DWI provides objective evaluation for brain death diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Radiology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) is a valuable tool for diagnosing various neurological conditions.
- The utility of DWI in the context of brain death remains largely unexplored.
Observation:
- Two cases of brain death were studied using DWI and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) mapping.
- In both cases, DWI revealed high signal intensities across the cerebral cortex, putamen, thalamus, brain stem, and cerebellum post-brain death.
Findings:
- Post-brain death, ADC values decreased by 30-40% compared to normal volunteers, indicating cytotoxic edema and ischemic tissue.
- DWI and ADC mapping demonstrated characteristic findings, enabling objective evaluation of brain death.
Implications:
- DWI provides objective evidence for brain death diagnosis by assessing cytotoxic edema and ischemia.
- This imaging technique can aid clinicians in the definitive diagnosis of brain death.
