[Radiological forms of cerebral amyloid angiopathy].

Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) is most commonly recognized by β-amyloid deposition in the small and medium sized vessels of the brain. The 71-year-old female presented with a sudden onset of vertigo and headache. By native computer tomography (CT) examination we found cerebral atrophy and the sign of chronic vascular injury. The complaints of the patient worsened, thus magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed. The MRI scan revealed a bleeding transformation of an ischemic lesion in the right occipital region. On the susceptibility weighted scans we could observe old microbleedings, thus we suspected CAA. The patient later re-presented at the clinic with a sudden onset of right sided hemiplegia. We performed a native CT scan which identified cerebral hemorrhage in atypical position confirming our diagnosis. CAA has many radiological presentations. The most important is the lobar cerebral hemorrhage. On the susceptibility weighted MRI scans, we could identify the microbleeds and the superficial siderosis by the deposition of the hemosiderin. The subarachnoid hemorrhage is a sign of bad outcome. In the white matter, we could detect the change of the related inflammation and the leukoaraiosis. Further, two not specific abnormalities can be important as well, such as extended ischemic lesions and perivascular space dilatation. CAA has various appearances on MRI. Repeated vascular events and dementia in old age patients draw attention to its presence. The correct diagnosis can be made with the right interpretation of the patient's complaints in combination with the radiological abnormalities. Orv Hetil. 2018; 159(11): 439-444.