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Diffusion Tensor Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Analysis of Neurodegenerative Diseases
Published on: July 28, 2013
Wallenberg's lateral medullary syndrome: diffusion-weighted imaging findings
1Ege University, Medical Faculty, Department of Radiology, Bornova, Izmir, Turkey. okitis@med.ege.edu.tr
Acta Radiologica (Stockholm, Sweden : 1987)
|May 29, 2004
Summary
Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) is effective for diagnosing Wallenberg
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Radiology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Wallenberg's lateral medullary syndrome presents with specific neurological deficits.
- Accurate and timely diagnosis is crucial for patient management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in Wallenberg's syndrome.
- To assess DWI's utility in detecting acute and subacute medullary infarction.
Main Methods:
- Conventional and echoplanar diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) imaging were performed on 13 patients.
- Imaging was conducted in the acute or subacute stages of the syndrome.
- Infarction was identified by increased signal on b = 1000 s/mm2 DWI in the posterolateral medulla.
Main Results:
- Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) correctly identified infarction in 12 out of 13 patients.
- A single false-negative result occurred in a patient scanned within 10 hours of symptom onset.
- High b-value DWI provided better contrast between normal and infarcted brainstem tissue compared to apparent diffusion coefficient maps.
Conclusions:
- Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) is a valuable tool for diagnosing Wallenberg's syndrome.
- High b-value DWI images offer complementary information to T2-weighted images.
- The sensitivity of DWI in the hyperacute stage (<10 hours) requires further investigation.
