This paper investigates whether diffusion tensor imaging performed within 2
weeks of intracerebral hemorrhage onset could
predict the motor outcome by categorizing previous diffusion tensor imaging
studies based on the time-point of performing diffusion tensor imaging (2
weeks and 2 weeks after intracerebral hemorrhage onset). A comprehensive
database search on PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and SCOPUS was conducted.
The pooled estimate was acquired using correlation analysis between the diffusion
tensor imaging parameters of fractional anisotropy and motor recovery based on
the period of stroke onset. In the results, out of 511 retrieved articles, eight
were finally included in the meta-analysis. In patients who underwent diffusion
tensor imaging within 2 weeks of intracerebral hemorrhage onset, a random-effects
model revealed that the ratio of fractional anisotropy is a significant predictor
of motor recovery of the hemi-side extremity after intracerebral hemorrhage
(p = 0.0015). In patients who underwent diffusion tensor imaging after 2
weeks of intracerebral hemorrhage onset, a fixed-effects model revealed that the
ratio of fractional anisotropy was also a significant predictor of motor recovery
of the hemi-side extremity after intracerebral hemorrhage (p
0.0001). Our meta-analysis revealed that ratio of fractional anisotropy (rFa)
calculated from diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) performed 2 weeks of
intracerebral hemorrhage onset had a positive correlation with the motor outcomes
after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Also, although diffusion tensor imaging was
performed 2 weeks after intracerebral hemorrhage onset, the ratio of
fractional anisotropy calculated from diffusion tensor imaging helped predict the
motor outcome. Further analyses, including a more significant number of studies
focused on this topic, are warranted.