Diffusion tensor imaging combined with fractional anisotropy measurement for the application of cerebral infarction

【Objective】 To observe the condition of cortical spinal tract(CST)in acute cerebral ischemic stroke patients and analyze relationship between motor function and the impairment degree of CST.【Methods】 Patients with acute cerebral infarction were studied with conventional MRI,DTI and DTT to measure the values of fractional anisotropy(FA)and DCavg in the infarction area and the corresponding area.FA and DCavg were also measured in bilateral cerebral peduncles.Visualization of the fibertract was achieved by DTT.【Results】 The FA values of the infarcted region and corresponding contralateral area were 0.18 ± 0.08and 0.36 ± 0.14 in the acute stage(P 0.05),the DCavg values were 4.95 ± 1.14 and 8.41 ± 1.21(×10-3mm2/s)respectively.The FA and DCavg values of bilateral cerebral peduncles were not have statistical differences in acute cerebral infarction(P 0.05).Lesions side as the compressive deformation performance CST,and shift and interrupt.CST damage degree was positively correlated with the degree of clinical neurological symptoms.【Conclusion】FA combined with DTT can noninvasively evaluate the acute cerebral infarction brain damage,it provides the evidence for the recovery of motor function and prognosis.