Evaluation of cerebral infarctions of the carotid area by an intravenous 133Xenon and 99mTechnetium method

Abstract

Quantitative determinations of regional cerebral blood flow (rCBFf, rCBFm) and volume (rCBV), transfer time (rCTT) and fast compartmental weight (Wf) were performed in 34 patients with infarctions of the carotid area by a 133Xe and 99mTc i.v. injection method. The results were compared with clinical signs and electroencephalographic (EEG) findings. A significant difference was found between the lesion side and the control side in all the parameters except rCBV. This difference increased with the severity of the infarction and age of the patients. The difference between the 2 sides was especially great in patients with totally occluded internal carotid artery. A slight diaschisis could be observed in the present infarction group. An almost significant reduction on the normal side was seen in Wf. To assess the reciprocal influence of all the different blood flow parameters, the difference index (DI) .**GRAPHIC**. was calculated, where .DELTA.i = the difference between the 2 sides in one parameter expressed in percent. This proved abnormal in 80% of the patients. The atraumatic isotope technique employed offers a good opportunity for the quantitative evaluation of hemodynamics in cerebral infarction and serves as an aid in the diagnosis of infarction.