The Relationship Between Deep Medullary Veins And Topography Of Cerebral Microbleeds

ObjectiveTo evaluate the relationship between deep medullary veins (DMVs) and topography of cerebral microbleeds by quantitative imaging techniques.MethodsWe reviewed clinical and laboratory data from patients with white matter hyperintensities between July 2011 and October 2015. The number of voxels of DMVs and the topography of cerebral microbleeds, including strictly lobar, deep and mixed microbleeds, were measured on susceptibility-weighted image. We then performed statistical analysis to determine whether DMVs correlate with the topography of cerebral microbleeds.ResultsTotally 146 patients aged (67±11) years were included,13 with strictly lobar microbleeds,11 with deep microbleeds,39 with mixed microbleeds and 83 without cerebral microbleeds. The median number of voxels of DMVs was 3842 (IQR 2933-4613). The number of voxels of DMVs was significantly higher in patients with strictly lobar microbleeds than those without cerebral microbleeds (5222 vs.3821, P<0.001).ConclusionDMVs dilate in patients with strictly lobar microbleeds, indicating that cerebral veins might play a part in the pathogenesis of cerebral amyloid angiopathy, which may have new implications for therapeutic interventions for cerebral amyloid angiopathy.