Magnetic resonance imaging of central nervous system haemorrhage

Abstract

The variable magnetic resonance imaging appearances of central nervous system haemorrhage, both intra‐ and extra‐axial, are described. These will vary with the type of image contrast (T1 or T2 weighting), the nature of the imaging sequence (spin‐echo or gradient‐echo) and the time from onset of haemorrhage. Magnetic resonance imaging is a useful technique for imaging haemorrhage in the central nervous system as it yields temporal information about haematoma development, and it is the only non‐invasive means of imaging intraspinal haemorrhage. It is, however, limited in the imaging of haematomas within 24 h of onset and in subarachnoid haemorrhage where computed tomography is the investigatio..