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Imaging findings in diffuse axonal injury after closed head trauma
P M Parizel1, Ozsarlak, J W Van Goethem
1Department of Radiology, Universitair Ziekenhuis Antwerpen (University of Antwerp), Wilrijkstraat 10, B-2650 Edegem, Belgium.
European Radiology
|July 31, 1998
Summary
Diffuse axonal injury (DAI) from head trauma damages brain fibers. MR imaging is crucial for detecting both hemorrhagic and non-hemorrhagic DAI lesions, aiding radiologists in diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Radiology
- Trauma Imaging
Background:
- Closed head trauma can cause severe brain injury through shearing forces.
- Diffuse axonal injury (DAI) results from disruption of axonal fibers.
- Understanding DAI imaging is vital for radiologists.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review imaging findings of DAI after closed head trauma.
- To highlight common locations and characteristics of DAI.
- To discuss MR imaging techniques for DAI detection.
Main Methods:
- Review of imaging findings in patients with DAI.
- Discussion of CT and MR imaging characteristics.
- Emphasis on MR sequences for lesion detection.
Main Results:
- Common DAI locations include gray-white matter junctions, corpus callosum, basal ganglia, brainstem, and cerebellum.
- CT may show acute punctate hemorrhages.
- MR imaging reveals both hemorrhagic and non-hemorrhagic lesions, with appearance varying by age and sequence.
Conclusions:
- MR imaging is superior to CT for assessing the full extent of DAI.
- Specific MR sequences (FLAIR, T2-weighted, gradient echo) enhance detection of DAI lesions.
- Radiologists need knowledge of DAI imaging characteristics for accurate diagnosis.