Fractal dimension of cerebellum in acute cerebellar infarction (magnetic resonance imaging study)

Abstract

The aim of the study was to determine the values of fractal dimension of the cerebellum in acute cerebellar infarction using the quantitative study of magnetic resonance images of brain. Materials and methods: In this study, 11 patients with acute cerebellar infarction and 120 persons without structural changes in the brain (control group) were enrolled. T2-weighted magnetic resonance images of the brain were investigated. Fractal analysis was performed using pixel dilatation method. The values of fractal dimension of the cerebellar tissue as a whole and fractal dimension of the outer contour of the cerebellar tissue were determined. The fractal dimension values were measured in the following areas: cerebellar vermis (superior and inferior cerebellar lobes), foci of cerebellar infarction and areas adjacent to the foci (superior and inferior cerebellar lobes). Results: It was established that the values of fractal dimension of cerebellar tissue as a whole and fractal dimension of the outer contour of the cerebellar tissue in the area of cerebellar ischaemic infarction foci were significantly decreased compared to the control group. There was no significant difference between fractal dimension values of the cerebellar vermis, areas adjacent to infarction foci in patients with cerebellar infarction and vermal fractal dimension values in the control group. Conclusions: Fractal analysis of cerebellar magnetic resonance images may be used as an additional quantitative method to diagnose acute cerebellar infarction and to assess ischaemic foci to detect the boundaries between damaged and undamaged cerebellar tissue.