RESUMO
Objective To evaluate the value of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI)in diagnosing the acute centrum ovale infarction, and also to investigate the pathogenesis of the infarction. Methods All 58 patients underwent conventional MRI and DWI scanning after symptoms’ onset. DWI findings were compared to the findings of T_1WI and T_2WI. Results The sensitivity and specificity in diagnosing the ischemia stroke were 96.4% and 98.8% within 7 days after onset. Of all the cases, 62.1% were associated with the cerebral large-vessel disease and emboligenic heart disease. Only 36.2% had a classic lacunar syndrome but 69.0% had more frequently an abrupt onset of symptoms. Conclusion DWI is of high accuracy for diagnosing centrum ovale infarction and detecting early infarction lesions which are difficult to be displayed in conventional MRI, and very helpful in differentiating the acute from non-acute lesions; symptomatic centrum ovale infarction is suggested to be associated with large-vessel and heart disease which should be distinguished from the lacunar infarcts.