MRI better than CT in detecting hemorrhage

It is generally assumed that CT is best at detecting acute hemorrhage. It is definitely quicker and logistically easier to perform CT.

However a new study published in JAMA, by Kidwell C et al from Washington DC, shows that MRI is at least as good as CT if not better for diagnosing acute hemorrhage and far better for picking up chronic hemorrhage. In fact this study was stopped after an unplanned interim analysis of the first 200 patients.

A gradient echo sequence was used for the MRI images.