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


CONCLUSIONS
Clot retraction (which cannot occur in patients with severe thrombocytopenia) is not necessary for the CT appearance of acute intracerebral hemorrhage.
Pierce
J N
JN
Department of Radiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030.
Taber
K H
KH
Hayman
L A
LA
D000328:Adult; D002543:Cerebral Hemorrhage / Q000097:blood / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003018:Clot Retraction; D005260:Female; D006452:Hemoglobinometry; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010976:Platelet Count; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000097:blood / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed