An evaluation of diagnosing cerebral infarction by diffusion-weighted imaging and fluid-attenuated-inversion-recovery.

Objective:To compare the diagnosing value of cerebral infarction in different stage by diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and fluid-attenusaed-inversion-recovery (FLAIR).Methods:76 DWIs and FLAIRs (8 hyperacute, 30 acute, 15 subacute and 22 chronic) were performed on 54 cases of cerebral infarction. The images on different series in different stage were analyzed. The ratio of lesions and their normal counterparts on DWI (rDWI) were calculated and compared with than on FLAIR (rFLAIR).Results:①Hyperacute lesions showed hyperintensity on DWI, but showed equal intensity on FLAIR. The difference between rDWI and rFLAIR was significant (P=0.003).②Acute lesions appeared hyperintensity on DWI , lower high and high on FLAIR. The difference between them was still significant (P0.001).③In subacute stage, most lesions appeared hyperintensity both on DWI and FLAIR , and the difference was not significant (P=0.085).④In chronic stage, the difference between rDWI and rFLAIR was still not significant (P=0 642), but lesions appearance on DWI was quite different,and which on FLAIR was consistent high intensity.Conclusion:DWI makes a better contribution on diagnosing cerebral infarction in hyperacute and acute stages than FLAIR. They are the same in subacute stage, and DWI is not as good as the FLAIR in chronic one.