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Updated: Aug 20, 2026
A Magnetic Resonance Imaging Protocol for Stroke Onset Time Estimation in Permanent Cerebral Ischemia
Published on: September 16, 2017
Dynamic susceptibility contrast-enhanced perfusion MR imaging at 1.5 T predicts final infarct size in a rat stroke
Feng Chen1, Yasuhiro Suzuki, Nobuo Nagai
1Department of Radiology, University Hospitals, K.U.LEUVEN, Herestraat 49, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium.
Abstract:
The purpose of the present animal experiment was to determine whether source images from dynamic susceptibility contrast-enhanced perfusion weighted imaging (DSC-PWI) at a 1.5T MR scanner, performed early after photochemically induced thrombosis (PIT) of cerebral middle artery (MCA), is feasible to predict final cerebral infarct size in a rat stroke model. Fifteen rats were subjected to PIT of proximal MCA. T2 weighted imaging (T2WI), diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), and contrast-enhanced PWI were obtained at 1 h and 24 h after MCA occlusion. The relative lesion size (RLS) was defined as lesion volume/brain volume x 100% and measured for MR images, and compared with the final RLS on the gold standard triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining at 24 h. One hour after MCA occlusion, the RLS with DSC-PWI was 24.9 +/- 6.3%, which was significantly larger than 17.6 +/- 4.8% with DWI (P < 0.01). At 24 h, the final RLS on TTC was 24.3 +/- 4.8%, which was comparable to 25.1 +/- 3.5%, 24.6 +/- 3.6% and 27.9 +/- 6.8% with T2WI, DWI and DSC-PWI respectively (P > 0.05). The fact that at 1 h after MCA occlusion only the displayed perfusion deficit was similar to the final infarct size on TTC (P > 0.05) suggests that early source images from DSC-PWI at 1.5T MR scanner is feasible to noninvasively predict the final infarct size in rat models of stroke.
Insights
Early MRI perfusion imaging (DSC-PWI) in rats can predict final stroke size. This dynamic susceptibility contrast-enhanced perfusion weighted imaging technique shows promise for noninvasive stroke assessment.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Medical Imaging
- Radiology
Background:
- Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide.
- Accurate prediction of infarct size is crucial for treatment decisions and prognosis.
- Current methods for infarct size prediction may have limitations in early assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the feasibility of using early dynamic susceptibility contrast-enhanced perfusion weighted imaging (DSC-PWI) to predict final cerebral infarct size in a rat stroke model.
- To compare the predictive accuracy of DSC-PWI with other MRI sequences (T2WI, DWI) and TTC staining.
Main Methods:
- A rat model of stroke was created using photochemically induced thrombosis (PIT) of the middle cerebral artery (MCA).
- MRI scans, including T2WI, DWI, and DSC-PWI, were performed at 1 hour and 24 hours post-MCA occlusion.
- Relative lesion size (RLS) was calculated and compared with the final infarct size determined by triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining at 24 hours.
Main Results:
- At 1 hour post-MCA occlusion, DSC-PWI showed a significantly larger RLS (24.9%) compared to DWI (17.6%).
- At 24 hours, the final infarct size measured by TTC (24.3%) was comparable to RLS values obtained from T2WI (25.1%), DWI (24.6%), and DSC-PWI (27.9%).
- The perfusion deficit shown by DSC-PWI at 1 hour closely mirrored the final infarct size on TTC staining.
Conclusions:
- Early source images from DSC-PWI at 1.5T MRI are feasible for noninvasively predicting final infarct size in rat stroke models.
- DSC-PWI offers a promising tool for early stroke assessment and prognosis.
- This technique may aid in optimizing treatment strategies for stroke patients.
