Spontaneous intracranial bleeding in hemorrhagic diathesis

Prospective evaluation of cerebral angiography and computed tomography in cerebral haematoma

One hundred and two consecutive patients with cerebral haematoma were prospectively allocated to one of two groups according to their CT on admission. Group 1 patients were thought to have a high probability of an underlying structural lesion and underwent cerebral angiography acutely. If normal, this was repeated at three months. Group 2 patients were thought not to have such a lesion and underwent angiography at three months. Patients older than the mean age of the study population, and hypertensive patients were much less likely to harbour an aneurysm or arteriovenous malformation than younger or normotensive patients (p < 0.01; sensitivity 87.9%, specificity 88.6%). An aneurysm or arteriovenous malformation was the cause of haemorrhage in 12.8% of hypertensive patients, in 30.9% of patients with haematoma involving the basal ganglia, and 18.2% of those with posterior fossa haemorrhage. Features of CT in isolation give a sensitivity of 77.2% and a specificity of 84.2%. Follow up angiography in group 1 showed an arteriovenous malformation in one of seven patients in whom the original study was normal. These results contrast sharply with data from previous retrospective studies. The decision to investigate a patient with cerebral haematoma should be primarily based on the patient's clinical condition, rather than on the site of haemorrhage.

Spontaneous subarachnoid haemorrhage occurring in association with a platelet function disorder

A case of spontaneous subarachnoid haemorrhage occurring in association with a disorder of platelet function is described and the features of the disorder of platelet function were consistent with a storage pool deficiency. There has been no previous report of subarachnoid haemorrhage with platelet dysfunction.

Spontaneous intracerebral hematomas from vascular causes. Predictive value of CT compared with angiography

The aim of the present study was to assess the diagnostic accuracy of CT in determining the underlying causes of brain hematomas with a state-of-the art CT. For this purpose, CT and angiographic data of 149 subjects with spontaneous intracerebral hematomas (ICH) were statistically compared in a blind, retrospective study, taking angiography, supported when possible by surgical findings, as providing the correct diagnoses. 5 groups were distinguished on the basis of CT data: 103 patients with isolated deep ICH had normal angiograms; 9 patients with isolated superficial ICH and 8 with deep ICH and intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) had arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). 4 with this combination showed no angiographic abnormalities, one had an aneurysm. 14 subjects with ICH and subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) had a middle cerebral or carotid artery aneurysm; and 10 with ICH, SAH and IVH had also an aneurysm, in 7 on the anterior communicating artery. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values were respectively: for AVMs 100, 96, 77 and 100%; and for aneurysms 96, 100, 100 and 99%. Kendall coefficient was 0.95, indicating close correlation between the two modalities. This study confirms that CT can accurately predict the likelihood, nature and location of vascular ICHs. It indicates whether angiography is necessary or not, and if so, what vascular tree ought to be explored.

Spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage and liver dysfunction

We evaluated liver function and coagulation parameters in 117 patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (68 men and 49 women) admitted to our clinic within 24 hours after onset. Liver dysfunction was more common among men than women due to differences in alcohol consumption. Number of thrombocytes and fibrinogen concentrations were lower, especially among men with elevated concentrations of glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase or glutamic pyruvic transaminase and/or elevated gamma-globulin fraction. Five of the 78 patients undergoing stereotactic hematoma aspiration and one of the 39 treated nonsurgically rebled. All six of the patients who rebled were men, heavy alcohol consumers with liver dysfunction. Fibrinogen concentration was abnormally low in four of the six and at the lower end of the normal range in one. Two showed thrombocytopenia and one case showed prolonged prothrombin time. These facts suggest that liver disorders produce a state in which hemorrhage occurs more readily and that this hemorrhagic tendency may be one of the causal factors of spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage.

Factor VIII R:Ag as a prognostic parameter in intracranial haemorrhage

Factor VIII R:Ag was measured serially in 42 patients who had intracranial haemorrhage. It was found that the factor decreased or remained static in the 24 patients who improved (p less than 0.025), while it increased in the 18 who died (p less than 0.0005). It is suggested that this factor can be used as a prognostic parameter to predict the outcome after intracranial haemorrhage.

Spontaneous intracranial hemorrhage secondary to von Willebrand's disease

Four cases of spontaneous intracranial hemorrhage secondary to von Willebrand's disease are presented. The hemostatic management of the disease is discussed. A policy for screening of patients afflicted with intracranial hemorrhage secondary to von Willebrand's disease is proposed.

The surgical management of intracranial hematomas in hemophiliac children. A prospective study

A prospective study was undertaken to treat all intracranial hematomas in hemophiliac A children under a uniform protocol. Patient selection was obtained by early CT scan of all hemophiliacs presenting with neurological symptoms and routine hematological screening for coagulopathies of all pediatric intracranial hematomas, spontaneous or traumatic. Nine patients, of whom seven came under category 1 and two under category 2, were entered into this study. There were eight subdural hematomas, one epidural hematoma, and one intracerebral hematoma. Surgery was required in every patient. Human factor VIII concentrate was used for replacement up to 100% just before and 3 days after surgery. Thereafter, it was maintained at 50% up to the 10th postoperative day. There was no operative or late mortality. At 6-month follow-up, eight of nine patients had recovered completely with no residual neurological deficit. We conclude that early diagnosis, prompt surgical intervention, and perfect normalization of hemostatic defect are essential in improving the outcome of these patients.

Spontaneous brain hemorrhage

Spontaneous brain hemorrhage accounts for about 10% of all strokes and is fatal in about 50% of the cases. Its incidence, in contrast to other types of strokes, has not declined. Hypertension accounts for about half of these hemorrhages; the rest are due to tumors, aneurysms and vascular malformations, inflammatory and degenerative vasculopathies and hematologic and iatrogenic disorders of coagulation. In some patients no cause is ever found. Hypertensive brain hemorrhage occurs in the deep gray nuclei of the hemispheres, the cerebellum, and the pons and results in specific clinical syndromes depending on the location. Computerized tomography has revolutionized the diagnosis of brain hemorrhage and is resulting in the development of rational criteria for medical and surgical management of these lesions. Intensive medical therapy guided by clinical status and continuous monitoring of ICP may improve outcome. Surgical removal of the hematoma is indicated in lobar and putaminal hemorrhages when the patient is deteriorating in spite of vigorous medical therapy. In addition most large (greater than 3 cm) cerebellar hemorrhages, as well as smaller cerebellar hemorrhages that result in significant brain stem compression should be evaluated. The roles of intensive medical therapy, elective late surgery and of immediate operation in improving eventual functional outcome need to be investigated further.