Analysis of the Value of MRI DTI and DWI Parameters in Evaluating the Penumbra in Patients with Early Cerebral Infarction

Chen Shufeng; Xu Gaochang; Long Anjun

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1004-5775.2025.24.019

Abstract：Objective:To explore the value of magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)diffusion tensor imaging(DTI)and diffu-sion-weighted imaging(DWI)parameters in evaluating the penumbra in patients with early cerebral infarction.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 103 patients with early cerebral infarction who underwent DTI and DWI examinations at the sample hospital between October 2022 and April 2024.Based on the time interval from symptom onset to the first MRI examination,the patients were divided into an acute phase group(n=61,interval 6-24 hours)and a hyperacute phase group(n=42,interval＜6 hours).DWI and ADC performance across different time periods were recorded,and quantitative parameters[fractional anisotropy(FA),mean diffusion coefficient(DCavg),apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC)]at different locations,as well as quantitative parameters[relative fractional anisotropy(rFA),relative mean diffusion coefficient(rDCavg),relative diffusion coefficient(rADC)]at different time periods were analyzed.Results:Patients in the acute phase group primarily exhibited high signal intensity on DWI and low signal intensity on ADC.Patients in the hyperacute phase group primarily exhibited markedly high signal intensity on DWI and markedly low signal intensity on ADC.In patients with early cerebral infarction,the FA values,DCavg values,and ADC values in the infarct core were all lower than those in the ischemic penumbra and the contralateral mirror region.Similarly,the FA values,DCavg values,and ADC values in the ischemic penumbra were all lower than those in the contralateral mirror region,with all differences statistically significant(P＜0.05).The acute-phase group exhibited significantly lower rFA,rDCavg,and rADC values compared to the hyperacute-phase group,with all differences statistically significant(P＜0.05).Conclusion:DTI and DWI examination parameters hold certain clinical value in evaluating the ischemic penumbra in patients with early cerebral infarction.