Magnetic resonance imaging—documented extravasation as an indicator of acute hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage

OBJECT: The aim of this study was to determine the usefulness of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging-documented extravasation as an indicator of continued hemorrhage in patients with acute hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). METHODS: The authors studied 108 patients with acute hyperintensive ICH. Imaging modalities included noncontrast-enhanced computerized tomography (CT) scanning, gadolinium-enhanced MR imaging, and conventional cerebral angiography obtained within 6 hours after the onset of hemorrhage. A repeated CT scan was obtained within 48 hours to evaluate enlargement of the hematoma. Findings on MR imaging indicating extravasation, including any high-intensity signals on T1-weighted postcontrast images, were observed in 39 patients, and 17 of these also showed evidence of extravasation on cerebral angiography. The presence of extravasation on MR imaging was closely correlated with evidence of hematoma enlargement on follow-up CT scans (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Evidence of extravasation documented on MR imaging indicates persistent hemorrhage and correlates with enlargement of the hematoma.