All that bleeds is not black: susceptibility weighted imaging of intracranial hemorrhage and the effect of T1 signal

Clin Imaging. 2017 Jan-Feb:41:69-72. doi: 10.1016/j.clinimag.2016.10.009. Epub 2016 Oct 17.

Abstract

Purpose: To determine if intracranial hemorrhages (ICH) are always hypointense on Susceptibility weighted imaging (SWI) and to determine the effect of T1-signal intensity on the appearance of ICH in SWI series.

Methods: SWI and T1-signal intensities of ICH were retrospectively studied in a series of patients. SWI signal intensities were statistically correlated with T1-signal intensities.

Results: In a series of 57 MRI scans from 40 patients, ICH was hypointense in 19, mixed-intensity in 21, and hyperintense in 17. Hyperintensity of ICH on SWI was significantly associated with increased T1 signal (P<.001).

Conclusion: ICH can have a varied appearance on SWI.

Keywords: Intracranial hemorrhage; MRI; Subarachnoid hemorrhage; Susceptibility weighted imaging.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Blood / diagnostic imaging
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Intracranial Hemorrhages / diagnostic imaging*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Young Adult