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Updated: Aug 11, 2026
Simultaneous PET/MRI Imaging During Mouse Cerebral Hypoxia-ischemia
Published on: September 20, 2015
Early ischemic edema on cerebral computed tomography: its relation to diffusion changes and hypoperfusion within 6 h
Jan Sobesky1, Rüdiger von Kummer, Monika Frackowiak
1Department of Neurology, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany. j.sobesky@pet.mpin-koeln.mpg.de
Background:
Brain tissue hypoattenuation on early computed tomography is frequently included in decision making in acute stroke management. However, its pathophysiological counterpart needs further evaluation.
Methods:
By comparative imaging with diffusion-weighted imaging and 15O-water positron emission tomography we aimed to interpret early (<6 h) hypoattenuation.
Results:
In 11 patients, the hypoattenuation corresponded to a decreased proton diffusion (median 115.9% relative DWI value) measured by magnetic resonance imaging and to a severe hypoperfusion (below 12 ml/100 g/ min) assessed by positron emission tomography. The volume of parenchymal hypoattenuation correlated to the tissue with disturbed diffusion (Spearman's rho=0.73), but largely underestimated the hypoperfusion below 20 ml/100 g/min.
Conclusions:
Early hypoattenuation reflects the coupling of the severity of ischemia and resulting diffusion changes. It allows an estimate of the infarct core but underestimates the penumbral hypoperfusion.
