The preliminary diffusion tensor imaging study of cerebral microstructure in the acute phase of brain concussion

Purpose of the study. Concussion does not cause any lesions available for visualization using computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. However, it can cause changes at the microstructural level, which can be detected by the diffusion-tensor imaging. The purpose of this study is to identify the effect of acute concussion on diffusion parameters in the corpus callosum, corticospinal tract, and thalamus in children.

Patients and methods. Fractional anisotropy and the apparent diffusion coefficient were determined in 11 patients with a diagnosis of concussion (41 ± 19 hours from the moment of injury) and in 11 healthy subjects. Philips Achieva dStream 3T magnetic resonance imager was used. Diffusion tensor imaging data were processed in the Philips Intellispace Portal program in the Fibertrack section.

Results. Fractional diffusion anisotropy significantly increases and the apparent diffusion coefficient decreases in the thalamus of patients with concussion. In corpus callosum there is a growth trend in fractional anisotropy.

Conclusion. The detected changes indicate the initial stage of cell edema in the thalamus caused by concussion. Diffusion-tensor imaging is the only magnetic resonance imaging method which may be sensitive to this pathology.

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