Unilateral anoxic brain injury secondary to strangulation identified on conventional and arterial spin-labeled perfusion imaging

Anoxic brain injury on magnetic resonance imaging classically demonstrates symmetric diffusion restriction involving the highly metabolic structures including the basal ganglia and cortex and global hyperperfusion on arterial spin labeling perfusion. The pattern of injury is classically diffuse and bilateral owing to global oxygen deprivation from systemic causes, most commonly cardiac arrest. In cases of suspected nonaccidental trauma presenting with a unilateral anoxic injury pattern, strangulation with temporary occlusion of a unilateral carotid artery should be considered. We present 2 cases of unilateral anoxic brain injury due to strangulation identified on magnetic resonance imaging and arterial spin labeling perfusion.