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Neuroradiology |
1 From the Department of Radiology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, the Bowman Gray Campus, Medical Center Blvd, Winston-Salem, NC 27157. From the 1998 RSNA scientific assembly. Received August 26, 1998; revision requested November 2; revision received November 30; accepted March 1, 1999. Supported in part by a grant from GE Medical Systems. Address reprint requests to J.H.B. (e-mail: jburdett@rad.wfubmc.edu).
| Abstract |
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MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 30 patients, 1.5-T imaging was performed within the first 7 days after onset of cerebral infarction. Estimates of T2, spin density, and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) in the region of stroke and contralateral normal brain were computed by means of standard regression techniques after quadruple-echo conventional MR imaging and single-shot echo-planar DW imaging with a maximum b value of 1,000 sec/mm2. Expected signal intensity (SI) enhancement ratios resulting from independent changes in T2, spin density, and ADC were then calculated for the DW sequence.
RESULTS: The overall SI of cerebral infarction on DW images was significantly higher than that of normal brain throughout the 1st week after stroke (mean relative SI enhancement ratio, 2.29; P < .001). During the first 2 days after stroke, decreased ADC within the stroke region made the dominant contribution to increased SI on DW images. By day 3, increased T2 values in the stroke region became equally important, and, from days 37, the contribution to SI from T2 effects became dominant. A slight increase of spin density in the stroke region made a relatively small and constant contribution to DW SI over the 1st week.
CONCLUSION: The increased SI of subacute cerebral infarction on DW images reflects not only a shortening of ADC but a prolongation of T2 and spin-density values.
Index terms: Brain, infarction, 10.78 Brain, MR, 10.12144 Magnetic resonance (MR), diffusion study, 10.12144
| Introduction |
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Alterations in brain diffusion by disease can be represented in an anatomically meaningful format by using either of two methods: (a) display of a DW image, in which the brightness of each pixel is proportional to the magnitude of the MR signal intensity (SI) recorded under maximum strength application of the diffusion-sensitizing gradient, or (b) display of an ADC map, in which the brightness of each pixel is proportional to its calculated ADC value.
The diagnostic information provided by DW images and ADC maps is not identical. For example, the time course of SI changes after an acute infarction differs markedly depending on the display method employed (8,11,13,14,16,17). Specifically, ADC maps typically return to normal within 710 days after stroke, whereas DW images may remain abnormal for up to 14 days (14).
Just as a so-called T2-weighted image is not a simple map of T2 values, a DW image is not a simple map of diffusion constants. Rather, DW images contain mixed contributions from changes in T2, spin density, and ADC. We refer to these spillover effects of T2 and spin density on the DW image as MR "shine through." The purpose of this study was to quantify MR shine-through effects in the DW imaging of acute and subacute cerebral infarction.
| MATERIALS AND METHODS |
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MR imaging was performed in all subjects with a commercially available echo-planar instrument operating at 1.5 T (Signa EchoSpeed Horizon; GE Medical Systems, Milwaukee, Wis). Conventional axial spin-echo MR images were obtained with a multiecho technique, with a repetition time of 4,000 msec and echo times of 40, 80, 120, and 160 msec (4,000/40, 80, 120, 160). Other imaging parameters included one signal acquired, field of view of 24 cm, acquisition matrix of 256 x 128, and section thickness of 5 mm with a 2.5-mm intersection gap. A single-shot echo-planar DW imaging sequence was then performed with the following parameters: 10,000/97, one signal acquired, field of view of 30 cm, acquisition matrix of 128 x 128, and section thickness of 5 mm with a 2.5-mm intersection gap. Diffusion gradients were sequentially activated in each of the three principal anatomic axes to obtain DW images sensitive to diffusion in the x, y, and z planes. Gradient strengths corresponding to b values of 1 and 1,000 sec/mm2 were used. This commercially available diffusion imaging software produced 20 axial images, covering the entire brain in 40 seconds.
For the two b value image sets and the quadruple echo time image sets, region-of-interest SIs were obtained in the core of the cerebral infarction and within normal contralateral brain by a neuroradiologist (J.H.B.). Within the infarct and normal brain for each patient, the size and location of the region of interest remained constant (ie, maintained the same size for the two b value image sets and the quadruple echo time image sets). The trace value of the estimated diffusion tensor was used for each ADC measurement, representing the average of region-of-interest values along the three principal diffusion axes.
The data were analyzed by means of standard linear and nonlinear regression models by using commercially available statistical software (Systat, Evanston, Ill). Calculations of ADC values were obtained for infarct and normal brain by applying the Stejskal-Tanner equation (20) with two b values of 1 and 1,000 sec/mm2. This two-point estimation of ADC values has recently been shown to be highly accurate by two independent groups of investigators (21,22). Estimates of T2 and relative spin density were obtained by using measurements from the long repetition time, quadruple echo time sequence. These estimates were obtained by means of nonlinear parameter fitting to the well-recognized formula for spin-echo SI derived from the Bloch equations (23,24). For each patient, therefore, six estimated tissue parameters were calculated: three in the region of stroke (spin density [SDS], T2S, and ADCS) and three in normal brain contralateral to the stroke (SDN, T2N, and ADCN).
Descriptive statistics (means and SDs) for spin density, T2, and ADC were computed, and differences in these parameters between the stroke region and normal brain were analyzed by means of a paired Student t test. As outlined in the Appendix, percentage changes in each tissue parameter as a function of infarct age were computed. These percentage changes in tissue parameters were also displayed graphically with simple linear or quadratic least squares regression lines added to assist visualization of trends as a function of time after infarction.
To understand the individual contributions of these changes in spin density, T2, and ADC to overall SI on DW images, these measured values were substituted one at a time into the model (22,23) for MR SI of the DW imaging sequence as shown in the Appendix. With this model, expected ratios of SI in the stroke region to normal brain resulting from differences in spin density, T2, and ADC could then be independently calculated and represented as SI enhancement ratios due to each parameter (spin density, T2, and ADC).
| RESULTS |
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| DISCUSSION |
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In addition to evaluating DW images, several investigators have used stepped gradient techniques to estimate changes in ADC after acute cerebral infarction. Reith et al (16) noted changes in ADC values within 5 minutes of onset of ischemia. Schlaug et al (17) found reduction, pseudonormalization, or even elevation of ADC values after the 7th day after infarction. Lutsep et al (11) found that ADC values remained low for the 1st week after infarction and normalized or became elevated at more chronic time points. Warach et al (8) and Marks et al (13) both found that after the initial decrease in the acute stroke period, ADC values gradually increased and became elevated after 10 days.
Although calculation of ADC values and production of ADC maps yields quantifiable results, it currently requires a level of data processing and complexity more extensive than is commonly available in most clinical MR centers. In current practice at most sites today, visual assessment of DW images (rather than ADC maps) is commonly employed for the diagnosis of stroke. The analogy is that even though it is possible to generate T1 and T2 maps from the MR raw data, this step is seldom performed. Radiologists prefer to use T1- or T2-weighted images for diagnosis, even though such images lack parameter "purity" and contain mixed contributions to overall SI (25).
As with T1- and T2-weighted images, DW images are not pure maps of ADC but contain mixed contributions from spin-density and T2 effects. We have referred to this phenomenon as MR shine through and have attempted to quantify its importance in clinical DW imaging. Other investigators have also recognized that shine-through effects exist in the DW imaging of stroke but have not thoroughly quantified them. Because of these shine-through effects, the DW images should be interpreted with reference to images obtained with other sequences, such as T2-weighted images, fluid-attenuated inversion-recovery, or FLAIR, images, and ADC maps (18).
Without actually calculating T2 values, Lutsep et al (11) noted a discrepancy in the temporal evolution of ADC and SI changes on T2-weighted images within 10 days after stroke (11). Burdette et al (14) noted the discrepancy in time course of SI changes of subacute cerebral infarction on T2-weighted and DW images; whereas ADC maps return to normal by 710 days, DW images may remain abnormal for up to 2 weeks. Knight et al (19) calculated ADC, T2, and T1 values in ischemic regions in rats after occlusion of the middle cerebral artery and found behavior of T1, T2, and spin density independent from that of ADC. They noted that the hyperintense appearance of infarcts on DW images cannot be attributed solely to ADC values and that care must be taken when SI abnormalities on DW images are interpreted.
By extending the work of these investigators, we quantified the independent contributions of ADC, T2, and spin density to the SI changes seen on DW images as a function of time during the 1st week after cerebral infarction. Our findings show that with use of current diffusion gradients with maximum b values of 1,000 sec/mm2, all three components contribute to increased SI within the infarct on DW images. For the first 23 days, the increased SI on DW images results principally from restricted diffusion (ie, shortening of ADC). Thereafter, T2 effects, and to a lesser degree spin-density effects, provide the dominant mechanism of image contrast.
With advancing technology, stronger gradients will allow higher b values and consequently more ADC contrast to be present on DW images. The quantitative data in this report allow predictions of the degree of spin-density and T2 shine through that will be present on the next generation of diffusion-sensitive images. The SI enhancement ratio due to diffusion scales exponentially with b value (20). For example, each doubling of gradient b values squares the SI contribution of ADC to the DW image.
By using our model and data, it is possible to calculate the anticipated effect of increasing gradient strength on T2 shine through and the time course of total stroke SI on DW images. In Figure 6, we plotted the expected SI enhancement ratios of cerebral infarction for spin density, T2, and ADC in a high-performance gradient system with a b value of 3,000 sec/mm2. As expected, this threefold increase in b value dramatically increased the relative contribution of ADC to the overall MR SI. By day 6, however, T2 and spin-density shine through still occurred, eventually dominating the MR SI.
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| Appendix 1 |
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To understand the individual contributions of these changes in spin density (SD), T2, and ADC to overall SI on DW images, these measured values were substituted one at a time into the following model (22,23) for MR SI of the DW imaging sequence:
By using this model, expected ratios of SI in the stroke region to normal brain resulting from differences in spin density, T2, and ADC could then be independently calculated. For example, we defined the SI enhancement ratio (SIR) due to T2 effects alone (SIRT2) in stroke region (S) relative to normal (N) brain as
Similarly, the SI enhancement ratios due to spin-density effects alone (SIRSD) and ADC effects alone (SIRADC) were defined as
Note that the total SI enhancement ratio of stroke to normal brain with the DW pulse sequence (SIRtotal) is merely the product of the individual enhancement ratios:
| Acknowledgments |
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| Footnotes |
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Author contributions: Guarantor of integrity of entire study, J.H.B.; study concepts and design, A.D.E., J.H.B., P.E.R.; definition of intellectual content, J.H.B., A.D.E., P.E.R.; literature research, J.H.B., A.D.E., P.E.R.; clinical studies, J.H.B., P.E.R., A.D.E.; data acquisition, J.H.B.; data analysis, J.H.B., P.E.R., A.D.E.; statistical analysis, J.H.B., A.D.E.; manuscript preparation, J.H.B., A.D.E.; manuscript editing and review, J.H.B., A.D.E., P.E.R.
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