MRI of subacute hemorrhagic transformation in the rat suture occlusion model

In this study we investigated the utility of different MRI techniques for t he detection and predictability of hemorrhagic transformation (HT) in a rat model of transient focal cerebral ischemia. Hemorrhagic infarction was rel iably identified with gradient-echo sequences and developed between 2 and 7 days following the insult. None of the investigated early MRI features of the ischemic lesions (including the apparent diffusion coefficient and post -reperfusion blood-brain barrier damage) was a good predictor of HT severit y at 7 days. This indicates that subacute HT at 2-7 days occurs independent ly of the severity of acute tissue and BBB damage. NeuroReport 12:309-311 ( C) 2001 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.