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Updated: May 23, 2026
Assessing Cortical Cerebral Microinfarcts on High Resolution MR Images
Published on: November 20, 2015
Improved MR imaging detection of cerebral microbleeds more accurately identifies persons with vasculopathy
M M F Poels1, M A Ikram, M W Vernooij
1Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Background And Purpose:
The clinical relevance of improved detection of cerebral microbleeds by using advanced-versus-conventional MR imaging techniques remains uncertain. As part of the population-based Rotterdam Scan Study, we compared whether participants whose microbleeds were only demonstrated on a high-resolution MR imaging sequence differed with respect to risk profile and risk of new microbleeds from participants whose microbleeds were also depicted on a conventional MR imaging sequence.
Materials And Methods:
Two hundred participants (mean age, 79.2 years) underwent both conventional 2D T2*-weighted MR imaging and high-resolution 3D T2*-weighted MR imaging at 1.5T. Vascular risk factors, APOE allele status, and markers of small vessel disease and risk of incident microbleeds were compared for microbleed status by using logistic regression models adjusted for age and sex.
Results:
There were no significant associations between any of the factors and microbleed presence in participants whose microbleeds were only demonstrated on a high-resolution MR imaging sequence. However, the estimates in these participants were more similar to those in participants whose microbleeds were also depicted on a conventional MR imaging sequence than to those in participants without microbleeds. Moreover, significantly more participants whose microbleeds were only demonstrated on high-resolution MR imaging developed new CMBs during follow-up compared with participants without CMBs (25.0% versus 5.9%; OR, 5.98; 95% CI, 1.35-26.49).
Conclusions:
Improved detection of microbleeds may contribute to more accurate identification of persons with underlying small-vessel pathology in the general elderly population. Further studies are needed to replicate these findings and firmly establish the role of improved detection of CMBs in the identification of persons with vasculopathy.
Insights
Advanced MRI detects more cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) in older adults. These individuals show a higher risk of developing new CMBs, suggesting underlying small vessel disease.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Radiology
- Geriatrics
Background:
- Clinical significance of advanced MRI for detecting cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) is unclear.
- Population-based Rotterdam Scan Study investigated differences in risk and new CMB development.
Purpose of the Study:
- Compare risk profiles and new CMB incidence between participants with microbleeds detected by advanced vs. conventional MRI.
- Evaluate the clinical relevance of improved CMB detection.
Main Methods:
- 1.5T MRI (conventional 2D T2*-weighted and high-resolution 3D T2*-weighted) in 200 elderly participants (mean age 79.2).
- Assessed vascular risk factors, APOE status, small vessel disease markers, and incident CMBs.
- Logistic regression models adjusted for age and sex.
Main Results:
- No significant associations found for risk factors in participants with only high-resolution MRI-detected microbleeds.
- Participants with only high-resolution MRI-detected microbleeds had a significantly higher risk of developing new CMBs (25.0% vs. 5.9%; OR, 5.98).
- Risk profiles were more similar to those with conventionally detected microbleeds than to those without microbleeds.
Conclusions:
- Improved CMB detection may enhance identification of small vessel pathology in the elderly.
- Further research is needed to confirm findings and establish the role of advanced CMB detection in identifying vasculopathy.
