Diffusion-weighted MR imaging: diagnostic accuracy in patients imaged within 6 hours of stroke symptom onset

Radiology. 1999 Jan;210(1):155-62. doi: 10.1148/radiology.210.1.r99ja02155.

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) imaging performed within 6 hours of the onset of stroke symptoms.

Materials and methods: The authors reviewed the patient records and images from all patients hospitalized in a 10-month period in whom diffusion-weighted imaging was performed within 6 hours of the onset of strokelike symptoms (n = 22). Analyses included comparison of the initial interpretation of the diffusion-weighted images with the final clinical diagnosis; blinded reviews of computed tomographic (CT) scans and conventional and diffusion-weighted images; and determination of lesion contrast-to-noise ratios (CNRs).

Results: Diffusion-weighted images indicated stroke in 14 patients, all of whom had a final diagnosis of acute stroke. Diffusion-weighted images were negative in eight patients, all of whom had a final clinical diagnosis other than stroke (100% sensitivity, 100% specificity, chi 2 = 23.00, P < .0001). Blinded reviews yielded 100% sensitivity and 86% specificity for diffusion-weighted MR imaging (chi 2 = 15.43, P < .0005); 18% sensitivity and 100% specificity for conventional MR imaging (chi 2 = 2.85, P > .2); and 45% sensitivity and 100% specificity for CT (chi 2 = 4.40, P > .10). Lesion percentage CNRs were 77% for diffusion-weighted imaging, 5.5% for CT, 9.8% for T2-weighted MR imaging, and 3.1% for proton-density-weighted MR imaging (P < .002 for diffusion-weighted imaging vs others).

Conclusion: Diffusion-weighted MR imaging is highly accurate for diagnosing stroke within 6 hours of symptom onset and is superior to CT and conventional MR imaging.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Brain / diagnostic imaging
  • Brain / pathology*
  • Cerebrovascular Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Cerebrovascular Disorders / diagnostic imaging
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging* / methods
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Time Factors
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed