Accuracy of diffusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging in the detection of acute cerebral infarcts

Aim: to determine the accuracy of diffusion weighted mri in the detection of acute cerebral infarcts,in patients with neurological signs of stroke,by comparing with ct findings duration & place of study: this study was conducted from 2nd november 2011 to 1st may 2012 in the department of radiology,pakistan institute of medical sciences islamabad. study design: crosssectional study methods: total 66 patients of acute stroke were included. at presentation,ct brain and diffusion weighted mri was done to see the accuracy. results: total 66 patients were selected for study. the mean age of patients was 50.38 years with standard deviation of 13.011 years. out of 66 patients,37 (56.06%) were male and 29 (43.94%) patients were female. dwmri had sensitivity of 98%,specificity of 100%,positive predictive value of 100% and negative predictive value of 67%. ct scan had sensitivity of 64%,specificity of 50%,positive predictive value of 97% and negative predictive value of 4%. conclusion: diffusion weighted mr imaging of brain is highly accurate in the diagnosis of acute stroke and provides superior lesion contrast compared with that of ct scan imaging.