Diffusion tensor imaging in an infant with traumatic brain swelling

Summary: We present the case of a 14-month-old male infant who underwent diffusion tensor imaging within 24 hours of traumatic brain injury. Although conventional MR findings that included those of diffusion-weighted im-aging were unremarkable, full-tensor diffusion imaging re-vealed striking abnormalities in regions of brain that sub-sequently developed overt swelling. This case engenders important hypotheses regarding mechanisms of traumatic brain swelling and anisotropic diffusion of water in patho-logic tissues. Early and accurate diagnosis of traumatic brain injury in the pediatric population remains an impor-tant component in the initial care of the patient with head trauma. Modern neuroimaging plays a primary role in this assessment. New techniques, particularl