Uncontrolled hypertension is the most common etiology of spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhages in elderly patients ^1,2,3, which is a neurologic emergency with high mortality rates ^1,2,3. Hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhages usually occur in the following locations: basal ganglia, thalamus, pons and cerebellum ^1,2,3.

Blood has a characteristic appearance on MRI at acute, subacute and chronic stages. This case illustrates the typical features of an early subacute thalamic hemorrhage secondary to hypertension. 

Case courtesy

• Sterfferson Morais, MD - PGY-3, Radiology Resident, Department of Radiology
• Antonio Rodrigues de Aguiar Neto, MD - Radiologist, Department of Radiology
•  Hospital da Restauração – Recife, PE – Brazil