TABLE 1:
Summary of abnormal MR imaging findings for patients with hemoglobin SS sickle cell disease
| Finding | No. of Patients Affected | Proportion (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Tortuous intracranial vessels by MR angiography | 16 | 33 |
| Any lacunar infarction | 11 | 22 |
| Tortuous intracranial vessels by MR angiography with no other abnormality | 10 | 20 |
| Multiple, bilateral frontal white matter lacunae | 8 | 16 |
| Mild-to-moderate arterial stenosis by MR angiography | 7 | 14 |
| Single frontal white matter lacune | 4 | 8 |
| Lacunar infarction in corona radiata/centrum semiovale | 4 | 8 |
| Encephalopathy/leukoencephalopathy | 3 | 6 |
Note.—A total of 57% (28 of 49 patients) had abnormalities shown by either MR imaging or MR angiography, whereas 43% (21 of 49 patients) had abnormalities shown by MR imaging alone. The proportion of patients with any abnormal finding was calculated from a total of 49 patients evaluated. Because findings are not mutually exclusive, many patients are tabulated under more than one finding. Lacunar infarction was seen in 22% of all patients, and the majority of all lacunar infarctions were in white matter.