Computed tomography-negative acute thalamic hematoma.

A case of acute thalamic hematoma not detected by computed tomography (CT) but unequivocally diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is presented. A 79-year-old woman presented with acute left hemiparesis. The results of CT obtained on admission as well as on the seventh hospital day were negative for a hematoma. By contrast, serial MRIs exhibited chronological changes in the relaxation properties characteristics of acute hematoma in the thalamus. The case illustrates that contrary to widespread practice, CT cannot absolutely be relied on for the detection of acute intracerebral hematoma.