| Objective To investigate the distribution and evolution rules of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value at different cerebral infarction stages, so as to evaluate the relationship between ADC (rADC) values and onset time. Methods The clinical data of 359 patients with cerebral infarction undergoing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in Anhui Wannan Rehabilitation Hospital from Sept 2013 to Dec 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were classified into four stages according to the time of onset:17 hyperacute (< 6 h), 142 acute (6 h ≤ onset time < 72 h), 127 subacute (72 h ≤ onset time < 10 days), and 73 chronic (≥ 10 days). The differences between the ADC (rADC) values in the regions of interest (ROI, including core region, margin region, peripheral region and boot image region of the unaffected side) in the same stage were compared with those of One-Way ANOVA, so as to construct the regression models regarding ADC and rADC values with the course of disease of all patients. Results Differences in ADC values in different ROI at hyperacute stage, acute stage and subacute stage were statistically significant (P < 0.05). The ADC values on the lesion side decreased, showing a gradual increasing trend from the core region to peripheral region, meanwhile, gradient sign could also be seen, while differences in the ADC values in all ROI at chronic stage were not statistically significant. rADC and rADC values were linearly correlated with the course of disease, ADC value showed an upward trend, and the correlation coefficient (r) and determination coefficient (R2) of rADC in the core region was 0.891 and 0.794, respectively, at the highest levels. In addition, the regression equation:Y=39.314X-14.155. Conclusion ADC and rADC values can provide the diffusion index distribution and evolution rules of cerebral infarction, which can better predict the onset time. |
