Article

We assessed the relationship between fractional anisotropy (FA) values of
magnetic resonance-diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and long-term outcome (3-7
months after onset) in patients with hemiparesis after intracerebral hemorrhage
(N = 12). DTI data were obtained on days 14-18. FA values within the cerebral
peduncle were analyzed using a computer-automated method. Motor outcome of
hemiparesis was evaluated using Brunnstrom stage (six-point scale: severe to
normal) for separate shoulder/elbow/forearm, wrist/hand, and lower extremity
functions when patients were discharged from a long-term rehabilitation facility
3-7 months after onset. In addition, the motor component of the functional
independence measure (FIM-motor) was scored. The ratio of FA values in the
affected hemisphere to those in the unaffected hemisphere (rFA) was assessed in
relation to the clinical data (Spearman's rank correlation test, P < 0.05).
Analysis revealed a statistically significant relationship between rFA and upper
extremity function (R = 0.863 for shoulder/elbow/forearm; 0.834 for wrist/hand).
Although statistically significant, the relationship between rFA and lower
extremity function was less evident (R = 0.609). In contrast, analysis of rFA and
FIM-motor scores did not reveal statistical significance. FA values within the
cerebral peduncle are tightly associated with long-term outcomes of upper
extremity function.

Langue : ANGLAIS