Qualitative and Quantitative Evaluation of Pathways by Diffusion Tensor Imaging in Children with Cerebral Stroke

Abstract

Objective:to analysis of quantitative and qualitative changes in MR tractography in the diagnosis of structural brain damage in children with stroke.Materials and methods.We examined 55 children with stroke in different periods between the ages of birth to 6 years (mean age 5.99 ± 1.67 months; Me = 2.0 months.). All patients underwent DTI evaluation by measuring the fractional anisotropy (FA) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ACD).Results.During the assessment of the FA in the affected and healthy side of the brain we have revealed a statistically significant (p < 0.001) decrease of indicators of FA and increase of MCD along the corticospinal tracts and at all levels of its passage. In the area of cystic degeneration the value of FA was significantly lower (0.05 ± 0.02) than in the area of gliosis (0.15 ± 0.03). In the area of cystic degeneration ACD was within 2.91 ± 0.44 • 10–3 mm2/s, and in the area of gliosis – 1.49 ± 0.27 • 10–3 mm2/s. Comparison of ACD values depending on the motor deficits showed statistically significant differences between patients with monoparesis, hemiparesis and tetraparesis (p < 0.029).Conclusion.Diffusion-tensor magnetic resonance imaging possible for not only to evaluate the available quantitative and qualitative changes brain pathways in different periods of stroke in children, but also it can predict the growth of motor deficits (in this case fractional anisotropy more sensitive indicator which significantly correlated with functional outcome (p < 0.05) in children with stroke).