Hemorrhagic infarct or hemorrhagic transformation of an infarct is seen following breakdown of the lamina of the microvessels.
Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) may overlap with a hemorrhagic infarct and hence needs to be differentiated as the line of treatment will vary.
Differentiating points
Hemorrhagic infarct
- areas of infarct remote from the site of hemorrhagic infarct
- on perfusion imaging, the center of the hematoma corresponds to highest risk of infarction
- evidence of occlusive disease on TOF imaging
Intracerebral hemorrhage
- on perfusion imaging, the region of the deficit does not extend beyond the region of infarct