Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 31, 2025
Brain Infarct Segmentation and Registration on MRI or CT for Lesion-symptom Mapping
Published on: September 25, 2019
[Diffusion-Weighted Imaging infarct volume and neurologic outcomes after ischemic stroke]
A Attyé1, M-P Boncoeur-Martel, A Maubon
1CHU de Limoges, Neuroradiology-Radiology Department, 87000 Limoges, France. aattye@chu-grenoble.fr
Background:
This study's purpose was to demonstrate a relationship between growth of stroke volume measured on Diffusion-Weighted MRI (DWI) at admission (baseline) and 24 hours later (follow-up) and functional outcome at 90 days evaluated by the modified Rankin Scale (mRS).
Methods:
DWI infarct volumes were calculated, using an Analyze Software. Clinical outcomes were assessed at 90 days by the mRS. Univariate regression analysis was performed to assess the relationship between changes in DWI lesion volume and mRS less or equal to 1.
Results:
Sixty-nine cases had serial DWI scans with a measurable lesion at baseline and follow-up. The median baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) was 10, 5 and 7 at 24 hours. At 90 days, the proportion of patients with Rankin less or equal to 1 was 51.7%. The average baseline volume was 19.7 cm(3) and average follow-up volume was 46.1 cm(3). For each 10 cm(3) of growth in DWI infarct volume, the odds ratio for a mRS less or equal to 1 was 10,1 (IC 95%, 3-33.9).
Conclusion:
The results of this study provide evidence of a significant inverse relationship between infarct growth measured by DWI and good functional clinical outcome at 90 days.
Insights
Growing stroke infarcts on Diffusion-Weighted MRI (DWI) are linked to poorer functional outcomes after 90 days. This study shows that larger infarct growth predicts worse results on the modified Rankin Scale (mRS).
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Radiology
- Medical Imaging
Context:
- Stroke is a leading cause of long-term disability.
- Early assessment of stroke progression is crucial for predicting patient outcomes.
- Diffusion-Weighted MRI (DWI) is a key imaging technique for evaluating acute ischemic stroke.
Purpose:
- To investigate the relationship between the growth of infarct volume measured by DWI and functional outcomes at 90 days post-stroke.
- To determine if changes in DWI lesion volume from baseline to 24 hours predict modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores at 90 days.
Summary:
- Sixty-nine stroke patients underwent serial DWI scans. Infarct volumes were measured at baseline and 24 hours. Functional outcomes were assessed using the mRS at 90 days.
- A significant increase in DWI infarct volume was observed between baseline and 24-hour follow-up (average growth from 19.7 cm³ to 46.1 cm³).
- Each 10 cm³ increase in DWI infarct volume growth was associated with a significantly higher odds ratio (10.1) for poor functional outcome (mRS > 1).
Impact:
- This study highlights the prognostic value of monitoring infarct growth using DWI in acute stroke.
- Findings suggest that DWI infarct growth is an independent predictor of poor functional recovery.
- Early identification of patients with significant infarct growth may allow for timely therapeutic interventions to improve outcomes.
