Christian Berger1, Peter Schramm, Stefan Schwab. 1. Department of Neurology, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 400, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany. christian_berger@med.uni-heidelberg.de
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Large areas of restricted diffusion in the middle cerebral artery (MCA) territory are highly predictive of severe and potentially space-occupying MCA stroke. A reduction of diffusion-weighted MRI (DWI) lesions occurs in 20% to 40% of acute stroke patients with early reperfusion. METHODS: We report of a patient with a severe stroke syndrome who was treated with early moderate hypothermia but not thrombolysis. RESULTS: The initially large DWI deficit of the whole MCA territory contrasted to the relatively small final lesion restricted to the basal ganglia on MRI and computed tomography scan. CONCLUSIONS: This case describes an unexpected reduction of a DWI lesion after early moderate hypothermia and spontaneous recanalization 3 days after stroke onset. We discuss potential reasons for the unexpected DWI lesion reduction.
BACKGROUND: Large areas of restricted diffusion in the middle cerebral artery (MCA) territory are highly predictive of severe and potentially space-occupying MCA stroke. A reduction of diffusion-weighted MRI (DWI) lesions occurs in 20% to 40% of acute strokepatients with early reperfusion. METHODS: We report of a patient with a severe stroke syndrome who was treated with early moderate hypothermia but not thrombolysis. RESULTS: The initially large DWI deficit of the whole MCA territory contrasted to the relatively small final lesion restricted to the basal ganglia on MRI and computed tomography scan. CONCLUSIONS: This case describes an unexpected reduction of a DWI lesion after early moderate hypothermia and spontaneous recanalization 3 days after stroke onset. We discuss potential reasons for the unexpected DWI lesion reduction.
Authors: Guanshu Liu; Qin Qin; Kannie W Y Chan; Yuguo Li; Jeff W M Bulte; Michael T McMahon; Peter C M van Zijl; Assaf A Gilad Journal: NMR Biomed Date: 2014-03 Impact factor: 4.044