Susceptibility-Based Differentiation of Intracranial Calcification and Hemorrhage in Pediatric Patients

Differential diagnosis of intracranial hemorrhage versus calcification on conventional magnetic resonance images (MRIs) is often challenging. Although computed tomography (CT) confirms calcification, phase information obtained during susceptibility-weighted imaging can be useful in distinguishing be...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inJournal of child neurology Vol. 30; no. 8; p. 1029
Main Authors Gumus, Kazim, Koc, Gonca, Doganay, Selim, Gorkem, Sureyya B, Dogan, Mehmet S, Canpolat, Mehmet, Coskun, Abdulhakim, Bilgen, Mehmet
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.07.2015
Subjects
Adolescent
Calcinosis - diagnosis
Child
Child, Preschool
Diagnosis, Differential
Disease Susceptibility
Female
Humans
Infant
Infant, Newborn
Intracranial Hemorrhages - diagnosis
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Male
Retrospective Studies
Tomography, X-Ray Computed
phase image
calcification
susceptibility-weighted imaging
intracranial hemorrhage
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Summary:Differential diagnosis of intracranial hemorrhage versus calcification on conventional magnetic resonance images (MRIs) is often challenging. Although computed tomography (CT) confirms calcification, phase information obtained during susceptibility-weighted imaging can be useful in distinguishing between 2 pathologies. Fourteen patients previously diagnosed to have hemorrhage or calcification with imaging were included in the study retrospectively. Phase shift values of hemorrhage and calcification were compared by using Student t test. The pathologies identified were tuberous sclerosis, Sturge-Weber syndrome, craniopharyngioma, congenital cytomegalovirus, subependymal hemorrhages, and hemorrhagic microembolic infarction. Calcifications appeared hypointense whereas hemorrhages were hyperintense on phase maps (left-handed magnetic resonance system). Statistical comparison of phase shift values yielded significant difference between hemorrhage versus calcification (P < .01). Phase maps were found to offer valuable data to differentiate 2 pathologies when used complementary to conventional magnetic resonance images. Considering the relatively higher risks of radiation exposure in children, susceptibility-weighted imaging with phase maps may help to waive radiation exposure from CT.
ISSN:1708-8283
DOI:10.1177/0883073814552439