Clinical analysis and imaging characteristics of cerebral microbleeds

Objective To investigate the clinical features and imaging characteristics in patients with cerebral microbleeds(CMBs).Methods The clinical data and imaging findings of 12 patients with CMBs were analyzed retrospectively.Results ①Eleven of the 12 patients had stroke,among them 9 had previous hypertension,5 had hyperlipemia,and 3 had diabetes mellitus.There were lack of neurologic symptoms and signs associated with CMBs in clinical practice.②The mini-mental state examination(MMSE)score in patients with CMBs was 21.47±2.45,and their Barthel index(BI)score was 64.68±16.21.This showed that they all had cognitive impairment and had influenced activities of daily living.③The distribution of CMBs on susceptibility-weighted imaging(SWI):The foci of CMBs in cortical/subcortical region,basal ganglia region,thalamus,and brain stem were 9.45,5.43,4.67 respectively,and 4.78 in average.The numbers of CMBs in cerebellum were the least,and they were 3.45 in average.The numbers of CMBs in cortical/subcortical region were the most.There were significant differences between them(P0.02).④All the CMBs presented hypointense on SWI of magnetic resonance imaging(MRI).CMBs on T2WI,T1WI,and SWI all presented spot-like,circular or oval in shap,and uniform hypointenses.Their diameters were 2 to 5 mm,with clear margin,and no peripheral edema.Conclusions Most of the patients with CMBs have hypertension and hyperlipemia,mostly developed from stroke,and have corresponding clinical manifestations.As a newly developed MRI technique,SWI may clearly reveal the presence of CBMs.It helps guide the therapeutic plan in clinical practice.