Imaging of Acute Subarachnoid Hemorrhage with a Fluid-Attenuated Inversion Recovery Sequence in an Animal Model: Comparison with Non-Contrast-Enhanced CT

Fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) MR imaging sequences have been previously described in the evaluation of acute subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) in human subjects and have demonstrated good sensitivity. The purpose of this study was to evaluate a FLAIR sequence in an animal model of SAH and to compare the results with those obtained with non-contrast-enhanced CT. SAH was experimentally induced in 18 New Zealand rabbits by injecting autologous arterial blood into the subarachnoid space of the foramen magnum. Nine animals had high-volume (1-2 mL) injections, and nine animals had low-volume (0.2-0.5 mL) injections. Four control animals were injected with 0.5 mL of saline. The animals were imaged with a FLAIR sequence and standard CT 2-5 hours after injection. Gross pathologic evaluation of seven of the animals was performed. Four blinded readers independently evaluated the CT and FLAIR images for SAH and graded the probability of SAH on a scale of 1 to 5 (1 = no hemorrhage, 5 = definite hemorrhage). Overall, the sensitivity of FLAIR was 89%, and the sensitivity of CT was 39% (P