Magnetic Resonance Imaging Characteristics of Hyperacute Intracerebral Hemorrhage.

Background: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the brain is highly sensitive for detecting intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Understanding of the imaging characteristics of hyper-acute ICH is limited secondary to availability and increased time to scan relative to other imaging modalities. In this report we present the MRI characteristics of two patients who developed ICH while on the MRI table. Results: Hyperacute Inracerebral hemorrhage has a characteristic appearance on MRI. The morphology of the hyper-acute ICH we presented confirms an asymmetric growth pattern. It also showed that the area of hemorrhage appeared to consist of multiple distinct compartments. These features suggested that expansion of ICH may be compounded by mechanical disruption of secondary blood vessels as the hematoma expanded. We can also confirm that hyperacute intraventricular hemorrhage can be revealed by gadolinium-enhanced MRI. Conclusion: Magnetic Resonance Imaging is able to detect hyper-acute ICH and our findings demonstrate an asymmetric pattern of hematoma evolution. MRI with contrast is sensitive to detect hyperacute intraventricular hemorrhage.