Chronic hemorrhage on T2 is which signal intensity?

Chronic hemorrhage on T2 is which signal intensity?

• A. Bright
• B. Dark
• C. Isointense
• D. Very bright

Answer: (B)

Chronic hemorrhage on T2 appears dark because iron from blood breakdown products (primarily hemosiderin) accumulates in the area. This iron creates magnetic susceptibility effects, which shorten the T2 relaxation time and cause dephasing of nearby spins. The result is a hypointense (dark) signal on T2-weighted images. In contrast, fresh blood or fluids with high water content tend to be brighter on T2, so the dark appearance helps distinguish chronic hemorrhage from other processes. Gradient-echo or susceptibility-weighted sequences will show this dark signal even more prominently.

Chronic hemorrhage on T2 appears dark because iron from blood breakdown products (primarily hemosiderin) accumulates in the area. This iron creates magnetic susceptibility effects, which shorten the T2 relaxation time and cause dephasing of nearby spins. The result is a hypointense (dark) signal on T2-weighted images. In contrast, fresh blood or fluids with high water content tend to be brighter on T2, so the dark appearance helps distinguish chronic hemorrhage from other processes. Gradient-echo or susceptibility-weighted sequences will show this dark signal even more prominently.