Microbleeds in Moyamoya disease: susceptibility-weighted imaging versus T2*-weighted imaging at 3 tesla

Objectives: To prospectively evaluate differences in delectability of cerebral microbleeds (MBs) in Moyamoya disease (MMD) on susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) and T2*-weighted imaging (T2*WI) at 3 T. Materials and Methods: SWI and T2*WI were applied for 50 consecutive MMD patients. MB was defined as a very low signal intensity area in each sequence without continuity from surrounding vessel structures. Numbers of MBs were compared between the 2 sequences. To assess visualization, a grading score was assigned to each MB from Grade 3 (prominent) to Grade 0 (normal -appearing) on SWI and T2*WI, respectively, and were compared by Wilcoxon signed rank test. Results: A total of 37 MBs were detected in 21 patients (42%) on SWI, compared with 27 MBs in 16 patients (320/0) on T2*WI, with significant difference in number of MBs between the 2 sequences (P = 0.002). Lesions displayed greater visual grading score on SWI than on T2*WI (P < 0.0001). Conclusions: SWI offers better detectability of MBs in MMD than T2*WI at 3 T.