Longitudinal study of the diffusion tensor imaging properties of the corpus callosum in acute and chronic diffuse axonal injury.

BACKGROUND: Magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging (MR-DTI) is used increasingly to detect diffuse axonal injury (DAI) after traumatic brain injury (TBI).

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: The primary objective was to investigate the changes in the diffusion properties of the corpus callosum in the acute phase and 6 months after TBI and to examine the correlation between DTI parameters and clinical outcome.

RESEARCH DESIGN: Longitudinal prospective study.

METHODS AND PROCEDURES: MR-DTI was performed in eight patients with suspected DAI within 11 days and at 6 months post-injury. Six controls were also examined. Fractional anisotropy (FA), trace and parallel and perpendicular diffusivity of the corpus callosum were analysed. The main outcome was the extended Glasgow Outcome Scale score, assessed at 6 months.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND RESULTS: A significant reduction in FA in the corpus callosum was seen in the acute phase in patients compared with the healthy controls. There was no significant change in the parallel or perpendicular eigenvalues or trace. At 6 months, a significant reduction in FA and a significant increase in trace and perpendicular eigenvalues were noticed compared with controls.

CONCLUSIONS: The diffusion properties of the corpus callosum correlated with clinical outcome in this longitudinal investigation.