Abstract: Objective To study the distribution of cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) in elderly patients and its related risk factors. Methods Medical records and laboratory test data of 217 elderly patients aged 60-96 years admitted to our department from February 2010 to February 2012 were collected. The patients underwent MRI and routine laboratory tests. The number of CMBs in their brain was recorded. Results The detection rate of CMBs was 39.2%, which increased with the age of patients. The CMBs were mainly located in frontotemporal lobe, white matter and thalamus. Single factor analysis showed that age, hypertension, cerebral hemorrhage and infarction history were the risk factors for CMBs. Logistic analysis showed that age (OR=1.677, 95% CI: 1.061-2.652, P=0.027), hypertension (OR=5.415, 95% CI: 1.723-17.016, P=0.004) and cerebral hemorrhage history (OR= 4.065, 95% CI:1.129-14.629, P=0.032) were closely related with CMBs. However, cerebral infarction history (OR=3.376, 95% CI: 1.661-6.863, P=0.001) was an independent risk factor for CMBs. Conclusion The risk factors are different for CMBs at different locations.