American Journal of Neuroradiology 24:1461-1464, August 2003
© 2003 American Society of Neuroradiology
PEDIATRICS
Diffusion Tensor Imaging in an Infant with Traumatic Brain Swelling
a Department of Radiology, University of Wisconsin Medical School, Madison, Wisconsin
b Department of Medical Physics, University of Wisconsin Medical School, Madison, Wisconsin
c Department of Psychiatry, University of Wisconsin Medical School, Madison, Wisconsin
Address correspondence to Aaron S. Field, M.D., Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Radiology, University of Wisconsin Medical School, E3/311 Clinical Science Center, 600 Highland Avenue, Madison, Wisconsin 53792-3252
Summary: We present the case of a 14-month-old male infant who underwent diffusion tensor imaging within 24 hours of traumatic brain injury. Although conventional MR findings that included those of diffusion-weighted imaging were unremarkable, full-tensor diffusion imaging revealed striking abnormalities in regions of brain that subsequently developed overt swelling. This case engenders important hypotheses regarding mechanisms of traumatic brain swelling and anisotropic diffusion of water in pathologic tissues.