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Magnetic Resonance Diffusion W Imaging in Cerebral Fat Embolism

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 December 2014

G.B. Marshall
Affiliation:
Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Foothills Medical Centre, Calgary, AB, Canada
V.R. Heale
Affiliation:
Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Foothills Medical Centre, Calgary, AB, Canada
L. Herx
Affiliation:
Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Foothills Medical Centre, Calgary, AB, Canada
A. Abdeen
Affiliation:
Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Foothills Medical Centre, Calgary, AB, Canada
L. Mrkonjic
Affiliation:
Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Foothills Medical Centre, Calgary, AB, Canada
J. Powell
Affiliation:
Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Foothills Medical Centre, Calgary, AB, Canada
R.J. Sevick
Affiliation:
Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Foothills Medical Centre, Calgary, AB, Canada
W. Morrish
Affiliation:
Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Foothills Medical Centre, Calgary, AB, Canada
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Abstract

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The use of diffusion weighted imaging with apparent diffusion coefficient mapping in the diagnosis of cerebral fat embolism is shown here to demonstrate infarcts secondary to fat emboli more intensely than T2 weighted sequences 24 hours after the onset of symptoms. Embolic foci are hypointense on apparent diffusion coefficient mapping consistent with cytotoxic edema associated with cell death and restricted water diffusion. This technique increases the sensitivity for detecting cerebral fat embolism and offers a potentially important tool in its diagnosis.

Type
Editorial
Copyright
Copyright © The Canadian Journal of Neurological 2004

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