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Microbleeds in moyamoya disease: susceptibility-weighted imaging versus T2*-weighted imaging at 3 Tesla
Nobuyuki Mori1, Yukio Miki, Ken-ichiro Kikuta
1Department of Diagnostic Imaging and Nuclear Medicine, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan.
Objectives:
To prospectively evaluate differences in detectability of cerebral microbleeds (MBs) in Moyamoya disease (MMD) on susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) and T2*-weighted imaging (T2*WI) at 3 T.
Materials And Methods:
SWI and T2*WI were applied for 50 consecutive MMD patients. MB was defined as a very low signal intensity area in each sequence without continuity from surrounding vessel structures. Numbers of MBs were compared between the 2 sequences. To assess visualization, a grading score was assigned to each MB from Grade 3 (prominent) to Grade 0 (normal-appearing) on SWI and T2*WI, respectively, and were compared by Wilcoxon signed rank test.
Results:
A total of 37 MBs were detected in 21 patients (42%) on SWI, compared with 27 MBs in 16 patients (32%) on T2*WI, with significant difference in number of MBs between the 2 sequences (P = 0.002). Lesions displayed greater visual grading score on SWI than on T2*WI (P < 0.0001).
Conclusions:
SWI offers better detectability of MBs in MMD than T2*WI at 3 T.
Insights
Susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) detects more cerebral microbleeds (MBs) in Moyamoya disease (MMD) patients than T2*-weighted imaging (T2*WI). SWI also provides better visualization of these MBs at 3 Tesla.
Area of Science:
- Neuroradiology
- Neuroimaging techniques
- Cerebrovascular diseases
Background:
- Moyamoya disease (MMD) is a rare cerebrovascular disorder.
- Cerebral microbleeds (MBs) are a common finding in MMD.
- Accurate detection of MBs is crucial for MMD management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the detectability of MBs in MMD patients using SWI and T2*WI.
- To evaluate the visualization quality of MBs on both imaging sequences.
- To determine the optimal imaging technique for MB detection in MMD at 3 Tesla.
Main Methods:
- Prospective evaluation of 50 consecutive MMD patients.
- Acquisition of SWI and T2*WI at 3 Tesla.
- Comparison of MB counts and assigned visualization grading scores between SWI and T2*WI.
Main Results:
- SWI detected significantly more MBs (37 MBs in 21 patients) than T2*WI (27 MBs in 16 patients).
- The number of MBs detected differed significantly between the two sequences (P = 0.002).
- MBs visualized on SWI received significantly higher grading scores, indicating better prominence, compared to T2*WI (P < 0.0001).
Conclusions:
- SWI demonstrates superior detectability of cerebral microbleeds in Moyamoya disease compared to T2*WI.
- SWI offers enhanced visualization of MBs in MMD patients at 3 Tesla.
- SWI is recommended as the preferred imaging sequence for detecting MBs in MMD.
