Korean J Clin Neurophysiol.  2013 Dec;15(2):42-47. 10.14253/kjcn.2013.15.2.42.

Role of Diffusion-Weighted Imaging as a Prognostic Indicator in Acute Hypoxic Encephalopathy

• Kim JS
• Noh WY
• Lim JS
• Kim SJ
• Yun CH
• Park SH

• KMID: 1863272
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.14253/kjcn.2013.15.2.42

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Diffusion-weighted image (DWI) might be useful to predict the prognosis of acute hypoxic encephalopathy. The aim of our study was to test whether the early change and extent of DWI abnormalities can be an indicator of the clinical outcome of hypoxic encephalopathy.
METHODS
Forty-four patients who were diagnosed as hypoxic encephalopathy due to the cardiorespiratory arrest were retrospectively identified. Clinical variables were determined, and the DWI abnormalities were counted by four areas: cortex, subcortical white matter, cerebellum and deep grey matter, and were divided into three groups by the extent of lesions. Prognosis was classified as 'poor' (Glasgow coma scale (GSC) at 30 days after arrest <9 or death) and 'good' (GSC at 30 days after arrest > or =9).
RESULTS
GCS at day 3 (p<0.001), presence of seizure (p=0.01), and presence of lesion (p<0.001) were significantly different in prognosis, but statistically there is no association with the extent of lesions and prognosis (p=0.26).
CONCLUSIONS
Presence of early DWI changes could predict the clinical outcome of hypoxic encephalopathy after cardiorespiratory arrest.

Keyword

Hypoxic encephalopathy; Diffusion-weighted image; Prognosis

MeSH Terms

Cerebellum
Coma
Humans
Hypoxia, Brain*
Prognosis
Retrospective Studies
Seizures

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