Outcome of Patients with Diffuse Axonal Injury: The Significance and Prognostic Value of MRI in the Acute Phase

Abstract

Background To compare the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in the acute phase with outcome in patients with diffuse axonal injury (DAI). Methods A group of 33 patients with closed head injury and discrepancy between the apparently normal computed tomographic scan findings and their neurologic statuses were studied with MRI during the first 48 hours. Among them, 24 were found to suffer from DAI-type lesions. According to the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), 19 patients suffered from severe head injury (GCS score nonhemorrhagic DAI-type lesions are not associated with poor clinical outcome.