Application of MR diffusion-weighted imaging in the diagnosis of hyperacute cerebral infarction / 中华放射学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To evaluate the accuracy of MR diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) in the diagnosis of hyperacute cerebral infarction. Methods Twenty one patients with onset of strokelike symptoms underwent conventional MRI and DWI within 6 hours. Results DWI indicated cerebral infarction in 16 patients, all of whom had a final diagnosis of acute stroke. DWI was negative in 5 patients, all of whom had a final diagnosis of TIA. The abnormality seen at DWI was confirmed with follow up study. DWI had a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 100% in the diagnosis of hyperacute cerebral infarction, and conventional MRI interpretation yielded a sensitivity and specificity of 25% and 100%, respectively. Conclusion DWI is highly accurate in diagnosing hyperacute cerebral infarction and is superior to conventional MRI.