Microbleeds on MRI are associated with microinfarcts on autopsy in cerebral amyloid angiopathy

Abstract

Objectives: To identify in vivo MRI markers that might correlate with cerebral microinfarcts (CMIs) on autopsy in patients with cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA).

Methods: We included patients with neuropathologic evidence of CAA on autopsy and available antemortem brain MRI. Clinical characteristics and in vivo MRI markers of CAA-related small vessel disease were recorded, including white matter hyperintensities, cerebral microbleeds, cortical superficial siderosis, and centrum semiovale perivascular spaces. In addition, the presence of intracerebral hemorrhage on MRI was assessed. Evaluation of the presence and number of CMIs was performed in 9 standard histology sections.

Results: Of 49 analyzed patients with CAA, CMIs were present in 36.7%. The presence of ≥1 CMIs on autopsy was associated with higher numbers of microbleeds on antemortem MRI (median 8 [interquartile range 2.5-33.0] vs 1 [interquartile range 0-3], p = 0.003) and with the presence of intracerebral hemorrhage (44.4% vs 16.1%, p = 0.03). No associations between CMIs and other in vivo MRI markers of CAA were found. In a multivariable model adjusted for severe CAA pathology, higher numbers of microbleeds were independent predictors of the presence of CMIs on pathology.

Conclusions: CMIs are a common finding at autopsy in patients with CAA. The strong association between MRI-observed microbleeds and CMIs at autopsy may suggest a shared underlying pathophysiologic mechanism between these lesions.

Figure. Microinfarct and MRI markers of small vessel disease

(A) Example of a cerebral microinfarct identified on a cortical section (hematoxylin and eosin stain), (B) lobar microbleeds, and (C) superficial siderosis on T2*-weighted MRI. (D) Dilated centrum semiovale perivascular spaces on T2-weighted MRI. (E) Extensive white matter hyperintensities on fluid-attenuated inversion recovery MRI.