Role of Diffusion-Weighted Imaging and Apparent Diffusion Coefficient in Magnetic Resonance Imaging for the Evaluation of Brain Infarction

Cerebral infarction is the leading cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. The time of diagnosis of cerebral infarction plays a crucial role in the treatment and prognosis of the patient. The intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) given within three hours after the onset of stroke or early revascularization by percutaneous interventions are the early treatment of choices and has good prognostic value. MRI plays a vital role in the diagnosis of cerebral infarction. A less time-consuming MRI sequence like diffusion with ADC correlation is a highly sensitive imaging technique for early detection. During the early stages of brain infarction which is less than 6 hours after the onset of symptoms, MRI sequences such as T1 and T2 showed no changes. Therefore, DWI and ADC correlation with magnetic resonance imaging plays a vital role improved in the early diagnosis and assessing the prognosis of the patient. The present study is a hospitalbased prospective, cross-sectional study done in 75 patients, who underwent MRI brain evaluation in the department of lled the inclusion andradiodiagnosis, at Kona Seema institute of medical sciences, for a period of 12 months. Patients who ful exclusion criteria were selected. ADC and r ADC values are calculated in all patients. The aim of the study is to show that the cient (ADC), diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) varies with time and space in cerebral infarction andApparent Diffusion Coef to determine the stage of the infarction using r ADC values, ADC and DWI. In our present study, we proved that the average ADC values and the rADC values change with time and space which helps us to accurately stage the brain infarction in terms of acute, subacute, and chronic cerebral infarction. Combined analysis of DWI with ADC correlation and routine MRI sequences are used for the accurate evaluation of the brain infarction and to assess the progress and treatment plans after brain infarction.