Clinical application of magnetic resonance in acute traumatic brain injury

• Published in: Arquivos de neuro-psiquiatria 2008-03, Vol.66 (1), p.53-58
• Main Authors: Morais, Dionei F, Spotti, Antonio R, Tognola, Waldir A, Gaia, Felipe F P, Andrade, Almir F
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Brain Injuries - classification; Brain Injuries - diagnosis; Female; Glasgow Coma Scale; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Middle Aged; NEUROSCIENCES; Prospective Studies; PSYCHIATRY; Tomography, X-Ray Computed
• ISSN: 0004-282X; 1678-4227; 0004-282X
• DOI: 10.1590/S0004-282X2008000100013

To evaluate the clinical applications of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with acute traumatic brain injury (TBI): to identify the type, quantity, severity; and improvement clinical-radiological correlation. Assessment of 55 patients who were imaged using CT and MRI, 34 (61.8%) males and 21 (38.2%) females, with acute (0 to 5 days) and closed TBI. Statistical significant differences (McNemar test): ocurred fractures were detected by CT in 29.1% and by MRI in 3.6% of the patients; subdural hematoma by CT in 10.9% and MRI in 36.4 %; diffuse axonal injury (DAI) by CT in 1.8% and MRI in 50.9%; cortical contusions by CT in 9.1% and MRI in 41.8%; subarachnoid hemorrhage by CT in 18.2% and MRI in 41.8%. MRI was superior to the CT in the identification of DAI, subarachnoid hemorrhage, cortical contusions, and acute subdural hematoma; however it was inferior in diagnosing fractures. The detection of DAI was associated with the severity of acute TBI.