Model System:

TBI

Reference Type:

Journal

Accession No.:

J75738

Journal:


Neurocritial Care

Year, Volume, Issue, Page(s):

, 24, 3, 342-352

Publication Website:

Abstract:

Study used diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to characterize serial changes in fractional anisotropy (FA) within traumatic axonal injury (TAI) lesions of the corpus callosum (CC). It was hypothesized that recovery of FA within a TAI lesion correlates with better functional outcome. One hundred forty-six patients who underwent both an acute DTI scan (within 7 days) and a subacute DTI scan (day14 to inpatient rehabilitation discharge) at a single TBI Model Systems institution were retrospectively analyzed. TAI lesions were manually traced on the acute diffusion-weighted images. FA, apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), axial diffusivity (AD), and radial diffusivity (RD) were measured within the TAI lesions at each time point. FA recovery was defined by a longitudinal increase in CC FA that exceeded the coefficient of variation for FA based on values from healthy controls. Acute FA, ADC, AD, and RD were compared in lesions with and without FA recovery, and correlations were tested between lesional FA recovery and functional recovery, as determined by the Disability Rating Scale score at discharge from inpatient rehabilitation. Eleven TAI lesions were identified in 7 patients. DTI detected FA recovery within 2 of 11 TAI lesions. Acute FA, ADC, AD, and RD did not differ between lesions with and without FA recovery. Lesional FA recovery did not correlate with disability rating scale scores. This retrospective longitudinal study provides initial evidence that FA can recover within TAI lesions. However, FA recovery did not correlate with improved functional outcomes. Additional studies are needed to further elucidate whether lesional FA recovery indicates axonal healing and has prognostic significance

Author(s):


Edlow, Brian L., Copen, William A., Izzy, Saef, van der Kouwe, Andre, Glenn, Mel B., Greenberg, Steven M., Greer, David M., Wu, Ona

Participating Centers: