Cerebral microbleeds on MRI (SWI/GRE) — what they suggest and why they matter (Advanced)
Advanced course: MRI sequences like SWI/GRE can show microbleeds. Learn what microbleeds are, what patterns can suggest, and why they may influence bleeding-risk discussions for antithrombotics.
Educational only
Educational only — not medical advice.
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If a patient develops new or worsening stroke symptoms, reduced consciousness, seizure, severe headache, airway/swallowing danger, or unstable vital signs, activate emergency response and follow local stroke escalation protocols.
Key takeaways
- Explain what MRI microbleeds are
- Recognize that pattern/location can matter
- Explain why microbleeds may affect bleeding-risk conversations
- Ask what this finding changes (if anything) in prevention decisions
Why this matters
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Clinical frame
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Core clinical idea
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Assessment and workup
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Clinical reasoning pathway
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Management and team actions
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Common pitfalls
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Patient-safe explanation
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Escalation and safety signals
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Applied case
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Clinical scenario
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Common misconceptions
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Reflect
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Key takeaways
- Understand what MRI microbleeds are
- Advanced stroke care requires reconciling the clinical syndrome with timing, imaging, medication risk, patient context, and local pathway capacity.
- A safe plan names escalation thresholds, responsible clinicians, patient-facing instructions, and the next step if results or symptoms change.
Practice check
What you’ll practice
These questions are untimed. After you answer all of them, you’ll see your score and a clear next lesson or reference step.
0 of 4 answered
References
- Tier 1American Heart Association/American Stroke Association20222022 Guideline for the Management of Patients With Spontaneous Intracerebral Hemorrhage
- Tier 2RadiologyInfo.org2025CT Angiography of the Head
- Tier 2RadiologyInfo.org2025Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) - Head