Predictors of apparent diffusion coefficient normalization in stroke patients

Background and Purpose - We sought to describe the frequency of normalization of apparent diffusion coefficient ( ADC) values that are decreased in hyperacute stroke and to identify characteristics of tissue demonstrating normalization. Methods - Sixty-eight acute ischemic stroke patients underwent MRI examination ( including diffusion/perfusion imaging and MR angiography) within 6 hours ( mean, 2.8 hours) after symptom onset, after 24 hours, and again 4 to 7 days later. Lesion volumes with decreased ADC and delayed time to peak in perfusion imaging were determined. In patients showing ADC normalization, volumes with ADC decrease graded as < 50%, 50% to 60%, 60% to 70%, and 70% to 80% of the contralateral value were determined by thresholding. Patients were categorized as normalizers ( demonstrating ADC normalization in > 5 mL tissue with initially decreased ADC) or nonnormalizers ( demonstrating ADC normalization in < 5 mL tissue). Results - Fourteen patients (19.7%) were classified as normalizers. Eleven of 31 patients (35.5%) initially imaged < 3 hours after stroke onset and 3 of 37 (7.5%) of those imaged 3 to 6 hours after onset were normalizers. ADC normalization occurred predominantly in the basal ganglia and white matter after thrombolytic therapy in patients with more distal vessel occlusions. All normalizers demonstrated at least partial tissue reperfusion. Tissue with more severe initial decrease in ADC was less likely to demonstrate normalization. Conclusions - ADC normalization is not a rare event in acute stroke after tissue reperfusion. Brain tissue with initially decreased ADC, especially within 3 hours after stroke onset, may include "tissue at risk."