Abstract
The incidence of asymptomtic cerebrovascular lesions was examined in hemodialysis (HD) patients using magnetic resonance imaging. Lacunae (high intensity foci within 1cm on T2-weighted images) and PVH (periventricular hyperintensity on T2-weighted images) were evaluated in 37 HD patients with HD duration less than 1 year (group A), 33 patients on maintence HD for more than years (group B) and 82 control subjects. Lacunae were found in 56% of group A and in 73% of group B, and PVH were found in 44% and 39%, respectively. The incidences of both lacunae and PVH were more frequent in HD patients than in control subjects. The numbers of lacunae and the severity of PVH increased with age. Lacunae were more frequently observed among diabetics in group A and hypertensives in group B. Asymptomatic cerebrovascular lesions were more frequently found in HD patients than in normal controls, suggesting that chronic uremia, aging, hypertension and diabetes might be contributing factors.
