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Updated: Nov 16, 2025
Longitudinal In Vivo Imaging of the Cerebrovasculature: Relevance to CNS Diseases
Published on: December 6, 2016
Early MRI imaging and follow-up study in cerebral amyloid angiopathy
Shan-Chun Zhang1, Jian-Jun Jia1, Heng-Li Zhao1
1Geriatric Neurological Department of the Second Medical Centre and National Clinical Research Center of Geriatric Disease, Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing, 100853, China.
Aim:
To study the imaging features of leukoaraiosis (LA) and hemorrhage in cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) patients.
Methods:
The earliest MRI images of probable CAA patients and non-CAA patients were collected. The characteristics of LA in the two groups were analyzed. Cerebral micro bleeding (CMB), superficial siderosis (SS), and intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) were recorded in the follow-up study. The space relationship between CMB or SS and ICH was assessed.
Results:
We found that 10/21 (47.6%) patients had occipital prominent LA and 14/21 (66.7%) patients had subcortical punctate LA before the ICH, which was higher than that of the ones in the control group (p = 0.015 and 0.038, respectively). The recurrence rate of ICH was 100% (3/3) in patients with diffuse SS and 36.4% (4/11) in patients without. The recurrence rate of ICH was 60% (3/5) in patients with multiple-lobe CMBs and 44.4% (4/9) in those without. The location of the ICH and CMB was inconsistent. ICH occurred in the ipsilateral cerebral hemisphere of SS in three patients with diffuse SS.
Conclusion:
LA, diffuse SS, and multiple-lobe CMBs are important imaging characteristics of CAA, which may help make early diagnosis and predict the recurrence of ICH.
Insights
Leukoaraiosis (LA) and superficial siderosis (SS) are key imaging markers in cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA). These findings aid in early diagnosis and predicting recurrent intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) in patients.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Neuroradiology
- Vascular Neurology
Background:
- Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) is a significant cause of spontaneous lobar intracranial hemorrhage (ICH).
- Early identification of imaging features associated with CAA is crucial for patient management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the characteristic imaging findings of leukoaraiosis (LA) and hemorrhage in patients with probable CAA.
- To assess the relationship between LA, cerebral microbleeds (CMB), superficial siderosis (SS), and the recurrence of ICH in CAA patients.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of MRI scans from probable CAA patients and controls.
- Evaluation of LA patterns, including occipital prominence and subcortical punctate LA.
- Recording and analysis of CMB, SS, and ICH events, including their spatial relationships.
Main Results:
- Patients with probable CAA showed a higher prevalence of occipital prominent LA and subcortical punctate LA compared to controls.
- Diffuse SS was associated with a 100% recurrence rate of ICH.
- Multiple-lobe CMBs were linked to a higher ICH recurrence rate (60%) compared to those without.
Conclusions:
- Leukoaraiosis, diffuse superficial siderosis, and multiple-lobe cerebral microbleeds are significant imaging indicators in CAA.
- These imaging features can assist in the early diagnosis of CAA and prediction of ICH recurrence.
