Open AccessCT perfusion as a useful tool in the evaluation of leuko-araiosis
Author(s) -
Norlisah Ramli,
Ka Yan Ho,
Ouzreiah Nawawi,
HT Chong,
CT Tan
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
biij
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 1823-5530
DOI - 10.2349/biij.2.2.e16
Subject(s) - cerebral blood flow , white matter , basal ganglia , medicine , dementia , cardiology , pathogenesis , basal (medicine) , perfusion , nuclear medicine , magnetic resonance imaging , radiology , central nervous system , disease , insulin
Background Leuko-araiosis (LA) and dementia are common geriatric conditions but their pathogenesis and clinical significance are not completely understood. An evaluation of CT perfusion (CTP) in both these conditions can further enhance the understanding of these diseases. Methods Twenty-one patients with LA and 21 age-matched controls were studied with CTP and assessed for their cognitive function. The subjects were classified into four groups: Group 1, with LA ( n = 21); Group 2, without LA ( n = 21); Group 3, with dementia ( n = 7); Group 4, without dementia ( n = 11). The mean cerebral blood flow (CBF), cerebral blood volume (CBV) and mean transit time (MTT) values were compared between groups 1 and 2, while mean CBF values were compared between groups 3 and 4. Results Mean white matter CBF was considerably reduced in patients with LA in the frontal region by 42% ( p = 0.000), basal ganglia by 37% ( p = 0.000) and occipital region by 18% ( p = 0.019). The mean white matter CBV was reduced in patients with LA in the frontal region by 36% ( p = 0.000) and basal ganglia by 28% ( p = 0.017). The mean white matter CBF was dramatically reduced in patients with dementia in the frontal region by 44% ( p = 0.000), basal ganglia by 32% ( p = 0.038) and occipital regions by 24% ( p = 0.001). Conclusion The CTP showed reduced white matter CBF and CBV in patients with LA. This is consistent with chronic ischemia as the pathogenesis of LA. The CTP is also a potentially important technique in the diagnosis and management of dementia, because of its ability to reveal cerebral hypoperfusion.