Echo planar diffusion and perfusion MRI detect pathophysiological heterogeneity in cerebral contusion

Cerebral contusions have heterogeneous mechanisms of early edema formation and frequently cause elevation of ICP and resultant clinical deterioration. In the present study, in order to investigate the mechanisms of early contusion edema, diffusion-weighted imaging, apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) mapping and perfusion imaging were performed using 1.5 T echo planar imaging (EPI) in patients with cerebral contusion. On diffusion image within 24 hours post-trauma, the central area of the contusion were demonstrated as low intensity. In contrast, the peripheral area had high intensity. The ADC value increased in the central area and decreased in peripheral area. During 24-48 hours post-trauma, a crescent-shaped zone of very high ADC value was observed at the border between these two areas. These results indicate that, in early phase of cerebral contusion, cytotoxic edema is predominantly present in the peripheral area and edema fluid accumulates at the border between central and peripheral area of cerebral contusion 24-48 hours post-trauma. Perfusion imaging demonstrates wide spread CBF depression within the cerebral contusion. Diffusion and perfusion image using EPI are useful for evaluating heterogeneous mechanisms of early edema formation and CBF changes in the acute phase of cerebral contusion. (author)