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Updated: Jul 5, 2026
Assessing Cortical Cerebral Microinfarcts on High Resolution MR Images
Published on: November 20, 2015
Cerebral microbleeds: accelerated 3D T2*-weighted GRE MR imaging versus conventional 2D T2*-weighted GRE MR imaging
Meike W Vernooij1, M Arfan Ikram, Piotr A Wielopolski
1Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to prospectively compare high-spatial-resolution accelerated three-dimensional (3D) T2*-weighted gradient-recalled-echo (GRE) magnetic resonance (MR) images with conventional two-dimensional (2D) T2*-weighted GRE MR images for the depiction of cerebral microbleeds. After obtaining institutional review board approval and informed consent, 200 elderly participants (age range, 69.7-96.7 years; 108 [54%] women) were imaged at 1.5 T by using both sequences. Presence, number, and location of microbleeds were recorded for both sequences, and differences were tested by using McNemar and signed rank tests. Cerebral microbleeds were detected in significantly more participants on 3D T2*-weighted GRE images (35.5%) than on 2D T2*-weighted GRE images (21.0%; P < .001). Furthermore, in persons with microbleeds visualized on both image sets, significantly more microbleeds (P < .001) were seen on 3D images than on 2D images. For both sequences, the proportion of participants with a microbleed in a lobar (cortical gray and subcortical white matter), deep, or infratentorial location was similar. In conclusion, accelerated 3D T2*-weighted GRE images depict more microbleeds than do conventional 2D T2*-weighted GRE images.
Insights
Accelerated 3D T2*-weighted GRE MRI sequences detect more cerebral microbleeds in elderly individuals than conventional 2D sequences. This advanced imaging technique offers improved visualization of these small brain lesions.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Neuroimaging
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Cerebral microbleeds are small lesions associated with various neurological conditions.
- Accurate detection of microbleeds is crucial for diagnosis and management.
- Conventional 2D T2*-weighted GRE sequences have limitations in sensitivity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To prospectively compare high-spatial-resolution accelerated 3D T2*-weighted GRE MR images with conventional 2D T2*-weighted GRE MR images.
- To evaluate the efficacy of 3D sequences in depicting cerebral microbleeds.
Main Methods:
- Prospective comparison of accelerated 3D and conventional 2D T2*-weighted GRE MR sequences.
- 200 elderly participants (age 69.7-96.7 years) were imaged at 1.5 T.
- Presence, number, and location of microbleeds were analyzed using McNemar and signed rank tests.
Main Results:
- Significantly more participants had microbleeds detected on 3D images (35.5%) compared to 2D images (21.0%; P < .001).
- In participants with microbleeds, 3D images visualized significantly more lesions than 2D images (P < .001).
- Microbleed locations (lobar, deep, infratentorial) were similarly reported by both sequences.
Conclusions:
- Accelerated 3D T2*-weighted GRE MR imaging is superior to conventional 2D T2*-weighted GRE MR imaging for detecting cerebral microbleeds.
- The 3D sequence offers enhanced sensitivity for visualizing microbleeds in the elderly population.
- This advanced technique improves the diagnostic yield for microbleed detection.
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