Detection of intracranial hemorrhage: comparison between gradient-echo images and b(0) images obtained from diffusion-weighted echo-planar sequences.

Abstract

b(0) images from a DWI sequence failed to detect minimally hemorrhagic infarctions and small chronic hemorrhages associated with microangiopathy. GRE scans were more sensitive than b(0) images in the detection of these hemorrhages and should be included in emergency brain MR studies for acute infarction, especially when thrombolytic therapy is contemplated.