Outcome of patients with diffuse axonal injury: the significance and prognostic value of MRI in the acute phase.

BACKGROUND: To compare the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in the acute phase with outcome in patients with diffuse axonal injury (DAI).

METHODS: A group of 33 patients with closed head injury and discrepancy between the apparently normal computed tomographic scan findings and their neurologic statuses were studied with MRI during the first 48 hours. Among them, 24 were found to suffer from DAI-type lesions. According to the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), 19 patients suffered from severe head injury (GCS score <8) and 5 patients had moderate head injury (GCS score of 9-12). Four MRI sequences in various planes were applied. Patients were divided into three groups, according to staging described in the literature.

RESULTS: In five patients, MRI demonstrated nonhemorrhagic DAI lesions stage 1. In 11 patients, findings were consistent with DAI lesions stage 2, eight nonhemorrhagic and three hemorrhagic. Eight patients showed DAI lesions stage 3, six of which were nonhemorrhagic.

CONCLUSIONS: MRI is more sensitive compared with computed tomography in the detection of traumatic brain lesions, especially the nonhemorrhagic DAI. The presence of hemorrhage in DAI-type lesions and the association with traumatic space-occupying lesions is a poor prognostic sign. Isolated nonhemorrhagic DAI-type lesions are not associated with poor clinical outcome.