Crossed cerebellar diaschisis detected by arterial spin-labeled perfusion magnetic resonance imaging in subacute ischemic stroke.

BACKGROUND

Crossed cerebellar diaschisis (CCD) was a common radiological phenomenon manifested as reduced blood flow and metabolism in the cerebellar hemisphere contralateral to a supratentorial cerebral lesion. The hypoperfusion and hypometabolism in the contralateral cerebellum in CCD was traditionally detected by positron emission tomography (PET) and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). The present prospective study aimed to assess the detection of CCD in subacute stage ischemic stroke by arterial spin-labeling (ASL) perfusion technique with a 3.0-T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner.

METHODS

ASL images were obtained from 46 patients with supratentorial ischemic stroke at subacute stage. Regional cerebral blood flow values in the cerebellar hemispheres were measured on a region of interest basis.

RESULTS

Twenty-four of 46 (52%) patients showed CCD phenomenon by ASL-MRI method, which was in line with the PET/SPECT series. Infarctions in basal ganglia areas are prone to cause CCD.

CONCLUSIONS

With advantages in easy acquisition and no radiation, ASL-MRI seems to be an ideal tool for the detection and follow-up of CCD.