Acute intracranial hemorrhage secondary to thrombocytopenia: CT appearances unaffected by absence of clot retraction.

PURPOSE To describe the in vivo CT appearance of acute intracerebral blood clots formed from anemic platelet-depleted blood. METHODS Three patients with intracerebral hemorrhage secondary only to thrombocytopenia were examined with CT within 2 1/2 hours after the onset of clinical symptoms. RESULTS There were no unusual CT features found in the intracerebral hemorrhages of patients with only thrombocytopenia. Specifically, a hyperdense zone(s) surrounded by areas of decreased density was identified. CONCLUSION Clot retraction (which cannot occur in patients with severe thrombocytopenia) is not necessary for the CT appearance of acute intracerebral hemorrhage.