The role of magnetic resonance imaging in management of patients with nonlobar hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Despite the increased use and availability of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), its role in hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) remains uncertain. In this retrospective study, we assessed the utility of MRI in diagnosis and management of patients with hypertensive ICH.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the charts of patients with ICH presenting to our hospital over an 18-month period. We included patients who presented with hypertensive ICH in typical locations and excluded lobar hemorrhages. We further isolated cases that had undergone MRI. Collected data included mean age, gender, location of hematoma, neuroradiologist's interpretative report of the MRI, and management steps taken in response to the results of the MRI. Logistic regression was used to determine whether the overall yield of MRI in these patients was significant.

RESULTS

We found 222 patients with ICH in our database. Forty-eight patients met our inclusion criteria, of which 24 had brain MRI done as a part of their hospital workup. Brain MRI obtained in 2 (8%) of the 24 patients revealed abnormalities that led to a change in management. The diagnostic yield of MRI and the management decisions that followed were both insignificant.

CONCLUSIONS

The diagnostic yield of brain MRI in patients with nonlobar hypertensive ICH is low and does not result in significant changes in management.