Abstract：Objective To evaluate the role of b0 images obtained from diffusion weighted echo-planar images(EPI) in detection of cerebral microbleeds.Methods Ninety-five patients treated at our hospital were included and underwent clinical evaluation and a magnetic resonance imaging protocol including both DWI and SWI. Images were analyzed for numbers and locations of CMBs. Intraobserver and interobserver reliabilities for the detection of CMBs were assessed on SWI and b0 images.Results The prevalence of CMBs was 32% on SWI and 29% on b0 images. A total of 632 and 201 MBs were detected on SWI and b0 images, respectively. The increase in the number of CMBs on SWI was equally distributed across brain regions. The interobserver agreement for the detection of CMBs was excellent, with a kappa value of 0.86 for CMBs on SWI and of 0.83 on b0 images by two observers. Intraobserver agreement was also excellent, with a kappa value of 0.85 for SWI and of 0.84 for b0 images.Conclusions b0 images can detect the majority of CMBs without additional acquisition time. The assessment of CMBs is accurate and reproducible on b0 images, with excellent interobserver and intraobserver agreement.
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