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Diffusion tensor imaging of the cerebellum in patients after heat stroke
Jun Li1, Xue-Yan Zhang, Bin Wang
1Department of Radiology, Yantai Affiliated Hospital of Binzhou Medical University, No. 717, Jinbu Street, Yantai, 264100, Shandong, China, bzmceducn@sina.com.
Insights
Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) reveals cerebellar neural damage after heat stroke (HS). Fractional anisotropy (FA) values in both white and gray matter were significantly decreased in HS patients compared to controls.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Neurology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Heat stroke (HS) can cause significant neurological damage.
- The cerebellum plays a crucial role in motor control and cognitive functions, and is vulnerable to heat injury.
- Assessing the extent and nature of cerebellar damage post-HS is important for understanding long-term outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the utility of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) in evaluating cerebellar damage in patients following heat stroke (HS).
- To compare DTI-derived metrics in the cerebellum between HS survivors and healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) was performed on 11 patients post-HS (Glasgow Coma Scale 3-9) and 7 age-matched healthy volunteers using a 1.5 T MRI scanner.
- Fractional anisotropy (FA) values were measured in normal-appearing cerebellar white matter and gray matter.
- Statistical analysis was conducted using the Mann-Whitney U test to compare FA values between groups.
Main Results:
- A significant decrease in FA values was observed in the normal-appearing cerebellar white matter of HS patients compared to controls (p=0.025).
- FA values in the normal-appearing cerebellar gray matter were also significantly lower in HS patients than in controls (p=0.040).
Conclusions:
- Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is a valuable tool for assessing neural damage in the cerebellum following heat stroke (HS).
- Reduced fractional anisotropy (FA) values in both cerebellar white and gray matter indicate structural alterations and neural damage induced by HS.
Abstract:
To explore the application value of cerebellar diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) in patients after heat stroke (HS). Eleven patients after HS with a score of 3-9 in Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) and seven age-matched healthy volunteers were selected to undergo MR examinations during the same hot summer. The MR studies including DTI were performed with a 1.5 T scanner. Fractional anisotropy (FA) values of normal-appearing cerebellar white and gray matter were measured and the differences between the two groups were evaluated with Mann-Whitney U test. The FA value of normal-appearing cerebellar white matter in patients after HS was found to be decreased compared to normal control subjects (652.5 ± 86.1 vs 769.5 ± 58.4, p = 0.025). The FA value of normal-appearing cerebellar gray matter in patients after HS was found to be decreased compared to normal control subjects (158.8 ± 27.9 vs 187.5 ± 15.8, p = 0.040). Neural damage of the cerebellum induced by HS may be effectively evaluated by DTI with the decrease of FA value in normal-appearing cerebellum structures.
