Objective To investigate the predictive value of the fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR)-diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) mismatch (FDM) in MRI for progressive cerebral infarction (PCI).

Methods A total of 40 patients with PCI were selected from January 2017 to November 2018. According to the condition of the neurological deficit, 40 patients were divided into the PCI group (n=9) and the non-progression group (n=31). The clinical and laboratory data of all patients were collected. All patients completed brain FLAIR, DWI, and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA). FDM was compared in progressive and non-progressive cerebral infarction. The relation between the FDM and the PCI was analyzed.

Results Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in the PCI group (mmol/L) was higher than that in the non-progression group (mmol/L), there was a statistical difference between the two groups (P=0.005 8). FDM was observed in 10 patients, with 7 in the PCI group (77.7%, 7/9) and 3 in the non-progression group (9.68%, 3/31), there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.01). Logistic regression analysis showed that FDM was independently associated with the occurrence of PCI (P=0.004 3).

Conclusions The FDM could effectively predict the occurrence of PCI.