Diffusion tensor imaging for monitoring prognosis after contralateral C7 nerve transfer in central paralysis: a case report
10.3760/cma.j.cn431274-20240911-01403
- VernacularTitle:弥散张量成像技术监测中枢性瘫痪患者颈7神经移位术后预后1例
- Author:
Yihan LI
1
;
Ning YUAN
;
Ping YANG
;
Hongxing HUANG
;
Weiping KUANG
;
Peipei DENG
;
Yong ZHU
Author Information
1. 湖南中医药大学临床医学院，长沙 410208
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Diffusion tensor imaging;
Central paralysis;
Cervical 7 nerve transfer
- From:
Journal of Chinese Physician
2025;27(9):1335-1339
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective:To explore the role of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) in monitoring prognosis after contralateral C7 nerve transfer in patients with central paralysis.Methods:The clinical data of a 56-year-old male patient with right limb motor impairment after cerebral infarction, admitted to the Department of Neurosurgery at Brain Hospital of Hunan Province in October 2023, were retrospectively analyzed. The patient had experienced right limb motor dysfunction for over 2 years following a cerebral infarction and was treated with contralateral C7 nerve transfer. Follow-ups were conducted at 2 and 6 months postoperatively. Motor function was assessed using the Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) and Activities of Daily Living (ADL) scale, while changes in fractional anisotropy (FA) in the lesion area and corticospinal tract were monitored via DTI.Results:Postoperative follow-up of patient showed: (1) Significant improvement in motor function: ADL scores increased from 65 preoperatively to 75 (2 months postop) and 80 (6 months postop); FMA scores increased from 46 to 58 (2 months postop) and 61 (6 months postop). Muscle tension in the affected upper limb decreased markedly, and range of motion in the right shoulder joint improved. (2) Imaging improvements: DTI revealed an increase in FA values from 0.157 to 0.174 in the lesion area and from 0.52 to 0.53 in the corticospinal tract, indicating partial restoration of neural tract integrity.Conclusions:Contralateral C7 nerve transfer can effectively improve motor function in stroke patients. DTI technology provides an objective imaging basis for clinically assessing functional recovery by quantitatively evaluating changes in neural tract integrity, demonstrating significant value in guiding rehabilitation.
