Small-vessel disease in the basal ganglia: lacune or microbleed?

J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis. 2012 Nov;21(8):905.e5-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2011.05.020. Epub 2011 Jul 14.

Abstract

Brain microbleeds (BMBs) can be detected on the gradient-echo T2*-weighted magnetic resonance imaging and are considered a risk factor for cognitive impairment and intracerebral hemorrhage. Detailed radiologic findings on the etiology of BMBs and their changes remain scarce. We present a case of subacute change in a BMB in the basal ganglia that mimicked a subacute lacunar infarct. Our findings underscore the need for physicians to be careful to not erroneously diagnose BMBs as lacunar infarctions and prescribe unnecessary antiplatelet medication.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Antihypertensive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Basal Ganglia Cerebrovascular Disease / diagnosis*
  • Basal Ganglia Cerebrovascular Disease / drug therapy
  • Basal Ganglia Hemorrhage / diagnosis*
  • Basal Ganglia Hemorrhage / drug therapy
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Diagnostic Errors / prevention & control
  • Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Stroke, Lacunar / diagnosis*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antihypertensive Agents