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[Analysis of dot-like hemosiderin spots using brain dock system]
Yoshifumi Horita1, Toshio Imaizumi, Jun Niwa
1Department of Neurosurgery, Hakodate Municipal Hospital, 1-10-1 Minato-cho, Hakodate, Hokkaido 041-8680, Japan.
Background And Purpose:
Dot-like low intensity spots (a dot-like hemosiderin spot: dotHS) on T2*-weighted MR images (T2*WI), which is regarded as a sensitive method for hemosiderin detection, have been histologically diagnosed as old microbleeds associated with microangiopathies. The clinical significance of the dotHS, however, is still under debate. Therefore, we investigated the factors associated with dotHS.
Methods:
We investigated 209 healthy volunteers in our hospital (sex: 106 males, 103 females; age: 38 to 78 years old, mean age: 56.4 +/- 8.3 years old) using "Brain Dock", a formalized screening system for asymptomatic brain diseases. The Odds ratio (OR) was estimated from multiple logistic regression analyses using the dotHS and variables.
Results:
T2*WI demonstrated dotHS in 7.7% of volunteers, and the mean number of dotHS was 0.16 +/- 0.78. The hemosiderin was preferentially deposited in the basal ganglia and thalamus. Age > or = 65 years old (OR: 5.9; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.4-25.9; p = 0.02), hypertension (OR: 7.0; 95% CI: 1.4-34.7; p = 0.02), and headache (OR: 5.8; 95% CI: 1.4-24.6; p = 0.02) were all found to be independently associated with dotHS.
Conclusions:
The dotHS was significantly associated with several factors, including age, hypertension and headache.
Insights
Dot-like hemosiderin spots (dotHS) on MRI are linked to aging, hypertension, and headaches. These findings suggest dotHS may indicate underlying microvascular changes in healthy adults.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Radiology
- Medical Imaging
Context:
- Dot-like low intensity spots (dotHS) on T2*-weighted MR images (T2*WI) represent old microbleeds associated with microangiopathies.
- The clinical significance of dotHS remains under investigation.
- Identifying factors associated with dotHS is crucial for understanding their clinical relevance.
Purpose:
- To investigate factors associated with dotHS in healthy volunteers.
- To determine the clinical significance of dotHS detected via T2*WI.
Summary:
- A study of 209 healthy volunteers revealed dotHS in 7.7% of participants.
- Hemosiderin deposition was most common in the basal ganglia and thalamus.
- Age (≥65 years), hypertension, and headache were independently associated with dotHS.
Impact:
- DotHS are significantly associated with age, hypertension, and headache.
- These findings contribute to understanding the clinical implications of microbleeds detected by MRI.
- The study highlights potential indicators for microvascular changes detectable through neuroimaging.
