Isodense subdural haematomas on CT: MRI findings

Summary MRI findings are described in two patients with subdural haematomas isodense on CT. In one patient, admitted 6 weeks after trauma, a chronic subdural haematoma showed extreme hypointensity on T2-weighted images, suggesting acute trauma, and therefore acute rebleeding. In the second patient with severe anaemia, an acute subdural haematoma was hyperintense on T2-weighted images, suggesting chronic trauma; this may be explained by the low haematocrit and a possible mixture of blood with cerebrospinal fluid. The MRI features of subdural haematomas and hygromas have to be kept in mind, in order not to misjudge the age of the haematoma.