vessel wall hematoma
Bleeding within the arterial wall layers, typically seen in arterial dissection or traumatic injury.
Full Definition
Vessel wall hematoma refers to the accumulation of blood within the layers of the arterial wall, most commonly occurring in the setting of arterial dissection, trauma, or rarely, spontaneous bleeding. On imaging, intramural hematoma appears as crescentic high-signal intensity on T1-weighted MRI or high-density areas on CT, depending on the age of the hemorrhage. This finding is a key diagnostic feature of arterial dissection and can help differentiate it from other causes of vessel narrowing. The location and extent of vessel wall hematoma influence clinical management and prognosis.
Usage
Usage note: Specify imaging characteristics and clinical context of dissection when present.
In Context
- "Crescentic vessel wall hematoma was identified in the right vertebral artery, consistent with dissection." — MRI angiography report
- "The vessel wall hematoma showed characteristic high signal intensity on T1-weighted fat-suppressed images." — Stroke imaging report