A DWI study of the contralateral hemisphere in cerebral hemiatrophy

Abstract

Background and aim: Cerebral hemiatrophy (CHA) is a congenital or acquired loss of volume in one hemisphere of the brain. The MR findings of the affected hemisphere have been a subject of many studies, however, the contra-lateral hemisphere has not been investigated. There is, in fact, an integrity between two hemispheres of the brain through transverse connection fibers. The aim of this study is to investigate the changes in the contralateral hemisphere in CHA. Materials and methods: Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values were measured in deep gray and white matter areas in the normal-appearing contralateral hemisphere in 23 patients with CHA, in order to get in vivo information about a possible Wallerian degeneration or microstructural changes. Results were compared with the control group. Results: Normal ADC values were encountered in the contralateral hemisphere in all (100%) CHA patients. The difference between the ADC values of gray and white matter in CHA patients and the control group was not statistically significant. Conclusion: Normal ADC values in the contralateral hemisphere in CHA patients suggests a compensatory mechanism restricting Wallerian degeneration or diffusion alteration. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.