Magnetic resonance imaging in the evaluation of intracranial hemorrhage.

Magnetic resonance imaging is emerging as a valuable tool for the urgent evaluation of patients with acute stroke. This review focuses on the applications of magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis and management of intracranial hemorrhage. The biophysical properties of blood in the neuroaxis and the magnetic resonance imaging evolution of intracranial bleeding are reviewed. The potential applications of magnetic resonance imaging in the evaluation and therapy of specific types of intracranial hemorrhage are discussed. Emphasis is made on the superiority of magnetic resonance imaging in detecting intracranial hemorrhage and ischemic stroke. Although there is some hesitation to perform magnetic resonance imaging to evaluate acute intracranial hemorrhage, there is strong evidence that magnetic resonance imaging is not inferior to computerized tomography in this clinical setting. In the era of acute stroke intervention, magnetic resonance imaging offers significant advantages over computed tomography.