Susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI): a potential non-invasive imaging tool for characterizing ischemic brain injury?

Susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) is a new high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) tool that uses the paramagnetic susceptibility effects of deoxygenated blood to study the intracranial venous vasculature. We present SWI imaging findings in two children who suffered from acute arterial ischemia. Various patterns of normal/altered venous drainage could be identified. Our case study suggests that SWI assisted mapping of the regional changes of the cerebral venous drainage and correlation with diffusion weighted MRI may identify critically perfused brain at risk for infarct progression. Prospective studies are mandatory to further validate the value of SWI.