Pattern-driven neuroimaging of intracranial hemorrhage: CT/MRI findings and their clinical implications - A comprehensive review article.

Abstract

Intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) represents a significant and growing healthcare burden in Pakistan, with an increasing number of patients presenting to tertiary care hospitals. This rise is attributed largely to contemporary lifestyle factors and prevailing traffic conditions. The etiologies of ICH are diverse, encompassing trauma, hypertension, cerebral amyloid angiopathy, hemorrhagic transformation of ischemic infarction, cerebral aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations and fistulas, vasculitis, tumor-related hemorrhage, and venous sinus thrombosis. Accurate interpretation of neuroimaging is critical for early diagnosis and effective management; however, trainee doctors frequently encounter challenges in recognizing the imaging features associated with different types of ICH, which may lead to diagnostic delays or inappropriate treatment decisions. This review aims to give a thorough insight of the characteristic imaging patterns of intracranial hemorrhage across modalities, with a focus on practical, pattern-based interpretation. By consolidating key diagnostic features and correlating them with underlying pathology, this article seeks to support trainee physicians in improving diagnostic accuracy, enhancing patient outcomes, and contributing to the standardization of care in clinical settings.