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7202608 
Journal Article 
Time course of diffusion imaging in acute brainstem infarcts 
Axer, H; Graessel, D; Braemer, D; Fitzek, S; Kaiser, WA; Witte, OW; Fitzek, C; , 
2007 
Yes 
Journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging
ISSN: 1053-1807
EISSN: 1522-2586 
WILEY 
HOBOKEN 
905-912 
17896361 
WOS:000249898800011 
Purpose: To study the time course of diffusion imaging at the lesion site in brainstem infarcts.Materials and Methods: Sequential MR scans were acquired from 24 patients with brainstem infarcts. Diffusion-weighted images (DWI), T-2-weighted images (T(2)w), maps of apparent diffusion coefficient, and maps of fractional anisotropy were generated from each MR scan. A trend function was fitted to these measurements to model an objective, general time course of the studied parameters.Results: Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) continuously decreased over time until a:, transition, time, around: 45 hours; afterwards a continous increase took place. After the 14th day ADC reached values similar to the ADC of the intact contralateral side, (pseudonormalization) and then further increased. Fractional anisotropy (FA) decreased continuously over 3 to 6 months.Conclusion: Times of transition and pseudonormalization of ADC were longer than described for territorial hemispheric infarcts and describe the acute to subacute phase of brainstem ischemia. In contrast, the continuous decline of FA over 3 to 6 months indicates a chronic process of chance of histological structures in brain stem ischemia, and may be regarded as an indicator of the chronic phase.