Prevalence and topography of small hypointense foci suggesting microbleeds on 3T susceptibility-weighted imaging in various types of dementia.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The prevalence and topography of small hypointense foci suggesting microbleeds on 3T SWI in various types of dementia have not been systematically investigated. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and topography of SHF on 3T SWI in patients with different dementia subtypes. MATERIALS AND METHODS We included 347 consecutive patients (217 women, 130 men; age range, 42-93 years; mean age, 74 years) who attended our memory clinic and underwent 3T SWI. They were divided into 6 groups: subjective complaints, MCI, AD, DLB, VaD, and FTLD. Two neuroradiologists evaluated the number and location of SHF on SWIs. Statistical analyses were performed to evaluate inter- and intragroup differences. RESULTS Of the 347 patients, 160 (46.1%) exhibited at least 1 small hypointense focus. This was true in 86% with VaD, 54% with DLB, 48% with AD, 41% with MCI, 27% with FTLD, and 22% with subjective complaints. With the subjective complaints group as a reference, the odds ratio adjusted by age, sex, and arterial hypertension was 9.2 (95% CI, 2.0-43.6) for VaD; 5.4 (95% CI, 1.2-24.3) for AD; 3.1 for DLB (95% CI, 1.1-8.8); 2.0 for MCI (95% CI, 0.5-8.1); and 1.5 for FTLD (95% CI, 0.4-5.4). There was a significant lobar predilection for AD, DLB, and FTLD groups (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS On 3T SWI, patients with VaD, AD, and DLB manifested a high SHF prevalence. In patients with AD, DLB, and FTLD, the SHF exhibited a lobar predilection.