Evaluation of changes in magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging after treatment of delayed encephalopathy due to carbon monoxide poisoning.

Diffusion tensor imaging of the brain tissue microstructure was performed to predict or diagnose the pathophysiological mechanism underlying delayed encephalopathy after carbon monoxide poisoning and the treatment effect was analyzed. The changes in the diffusion parameters (average diffusion coefficient and fractional anisotropy) in adult patients after hyperbaric oxygen therapy of delayed encephalopathy after carbon monoxide poisoning were not significant differences of the two lateral ventricles or anterior or posterior limb of the internal capsule. In the group exposed to hyperbaric oxygen therapy, the fractional anisotropy values of the white matter in the ventricles of the brain and anterior and posterior limbs of the internal capsule were higher than those recorded before therapy, while the average diffusion coefficient values were significantly lower. These finding provide important monitoring indicators for clinicians.