Occurrence of spot signs from hypodensity areas on precontrast CT in intracerebral hemorrhage

Early Prediction of Cerebral Computed Tomography under Intelligent Segmentation Algorithm Combined with Serological Indexes for Hematoma Enlargement after Intracerebral Hemorrhage

The aim of this study was to explore the application value of brain computed tomography (CT) images under intelligent segmentation algorithm and serological indexes in the early prediction of hematoma enlargement in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Fuzzy C-means (FCM) intelligence segmentation algorithm was introduced, and 150 patients with early ICH were selected as the research objects. Patient cerebral CT images were intelligently segmented to assess the diagnostic value of this algorithm. According to different hematoma volumes during CT examination, patients were divided into observation group (hematoma enlargement occurred, n = 48) and control group (no hematoma enlargement occurred, n = 102). The predicative value of hematoma enlargement after ICH was investigated by assessing CT image quality and measuring intracerebral edema, hematoma volume, and serological indicators of the patients of the two groups. The results demonstrated that the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of CT images processed by intelligence segmentation algorithm amounted to 0.894, 0.898, and 0.930, respectively. Besides, early edema enlargement and hematoma of patients in the observation group were more significant than those of patients in the control group. Relative edema volume was 0.912, which was apparently lower than that in the control group (1.017) (P < 0.05). In terms of CT signs of ICH patients, the incidence of blend sign, low density sign, and stroke of the observation group was evidently higher than those of the control group (P < 0.05). Besides, absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) and hemoglobin (HGB) concentration of the patients in the observation group were 6.23 × 109/L and 6.29 × 109/L, respectively, both of which were higher than those of the control group (6.08 × 109/L and 4.25 × 109/L). Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) was 0.99 × 109/L, which was apparently lower than that in the control group (1.43 × 109/L) (P < 0.05). To sum up, cerebral CT images processed by FCM algorithm showed good diagnostic effect on ICH and high clinical values in the early prediction of hematoma among ICH patients.

Different criteria for defining "spot sign" in intracerebral hemorrhage show different abilities to predict hematoma expansion and clinical outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis

The "spot sign" is a well-known radiological marker used for predicting hematoma expansion and clinical outcomes in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). We performed a meta-analysis to assess the predictive accuracy of spot sign, depending on the criteria used to identify them.We conducted a systematic review of clinical studies that clearly stated their definition of spot sign and that were indexed in the Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases. We collected data on computed tomography (CT) parameters, spot sign diagnostic criteria, hematoma expansion, and clinical outcomes.Based on the eligibility criteria, we included 17 studies in this systematic review. CT imaging modality, type, time from symptom onset to CT, time from contrast infusion to scan, slice thickness, tube current, and tube electric discharge showed variation across studies. Three different definitions of the spot sign were applied: (1) a hyperdense spot within the hematoma; (2) one or more focal areas/regions of contrast pooling of any size and morphology that occurred within a hemorrhage, were discontinuous from the normal or abnormal vasculature adjacent to the hemorrhage, and showed an attenuation rate ≥ 120 UH; or (3) serpiginous or spot-like contrast density on CTA images that occurred within the hematoma margin, showed twice the density of the hematoma background, and did not contact vessels outside the hematoma. Three definitions for the spot sign were identified, all of which were associated with hematoma expansion, mortality, and unfavorable functional outcome. Subgroup analyses based on these definitions showed that spot sign identified using the second definition were more likely to be associated with hematoma expansion (OR 18.31, 95% CI 9.11-36.8) and unfavorable functional outcomes (OR 8.78, 95% CI 3.24-23.79), while those identified using the third definition were associated with increased risk of mortality (OR 6.88, 95% CI 1.43-33.13).Clinical studies identify spot sign using different CT protocols and criteria. These differences affect the ability of spot sign to predict hematoma expansion and clinical outcomes in ICH patients.

Prognostic value of early glycosylated hemoglobin and blood glucose levels in patients with basal ganglia cerebral hemorrhage

OBJECTIVE

This study was performed to analyze the relationships of the early glycosylated hemoglobin (GHb) level and blood glucose level (BGL) with prognosis in patients with basal ganglia cerebral hemorrhage (BGCH).

METHODS

In total, 186 patients with BGCH were included in this prospective study. The GHb level, fasting BGL, bleeding volume, degree of consciousness disorder, intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) score, functional outcome in patients with primary ICH (FUNC) score, ICH grading scale (ICH-GS) score, and neurological impairment were recorded during a 30-day observation period.

RESULTS

The mean BGCH volume was 58.42 mL. The 30-day mortality rate was 22.32%. The ICH-GS score [odds ratio (OR) = 0.815, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) = 0.504-0.688, R = 0.624] and bleeding volume (OR = 0.882, 95% CI = 0.785-0.918, R = 0.784) were significant predictors of 30-day mortality. The GHb level (OR = 6.138, R = 0.705) and BGL (OR = 1.055, R = 0.418) were independent predictors of 30-day mortality according to the multivariate logistic regression analysis.

CONCLUSION

The GHb level and BGL are strong predictors of 30-day mortality in patients with BGCH and accurately predict the prognosis in these patients.

Prehospital information and spot sign are complementary predictors of post-admission outcomes of intracerebral hematoma

Prehospital information of patients with intracerebral hematomas (ICHs), including systolic blood pressure (SBP), Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), and neurological deterioration (ND), defined as GCS score worsening ≥2 points, has been reported, though relationships among the prehospital information and clinical factors, including the spot sign, which was a reported predictor of outcomes, were not clarified. The purpose of this study was to elucidate relationships among prehospital information, the spot sign, and clinical outcomes after admission using multivariate analysis. Consecutive patients with ICHs admitted within 6 h of onset from 2009 to 2017 were investigated. Among 645 eligible patients, prehospital ND was found in 107 (16.6%). Multiple regression analysis showed that predictors of hematoma volume were prehospital GCS (p < 0.0001), prehospital ND (p < 0.0001), anticoagulant use (p = 0.0254), and cortical hematoma (p < 0.0001). Predictors of emergency surgery or death within 24 h were prehospital SBP (p = 0.0005, unit OR: 1.01), prehospital GCS (p < 0.0001, unit OR: 0.82), prehospital ND (p = 0.0002, OR: 3.26), and hematoma volume (p < 0.0001, unit OR: 1.04). Predictors of death at discharge were prehospital GCS (p < 0.0001, unit OR: 0.75), prehospital ND (p = 0.0001, OR: 3.49), and age (p = 0.0008, unit OR: 1.036). On the other hand, none of the 3 items of prehospital information were predictors of the spot sign or hematoma enlargement. The prehospital information and the spot sign could predict post-admission outcomes in a complementary fashion. Prehospital information might be used as a reference for preparing emergency treatment, as well as possible future blood pressure-lowering treatment, before emergency department arrival.

Accuracy of spot sign in predicting hematoma expansion and clinical outcome: A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Spot sign on computed tomography angiography (CTA) has been reported as a risk factor for hematoma expansion (HE) and poor outcome after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). We performed a meta-analysis to investigate the predictive accuracy of spot sign for HE, mortality risk, and poor outcome.

METHODS

We searched PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library for relevant studies. Studies were incorporated if they reported data on relationship between CTA spot sign and HE, mortality or poor outcome.

RESULTS

Twenty-nine studies were pooled in this meta-analysis. The spot sign occurred in 23.4% patients with spontaneous ICH undergoing CTA scans. It showed a sensitivity of 62% (95% confidence interval [CI] 54-69), with a specificity of 88% (95% CI 85-91). Spot sign was related with increased risk of HE (odds ratios [OR] 8.49, 95% CI 7.28-9.90). In the analysis of association between spot sign and outcome, patients with spot sign had a significant higher risk of in-hospital death (OR 5.08, 95% CI 3.16-8.18) and 3-month death (OR 3.80, 95% CI 2.62-5.52). The spot sign was also a predictor of poor outcome at discharge (OR 6.40, 95% CI 3.41-12.03) and at 3 months (OR 4.44, 95% CI 2.33-8.46).

CONCLUSIONS

The overall incidence of CTA spot sign in spontaneous ICH patients is substantial. Spot sign demonstrated a good diagnostic performance in predicting HE and was closely associated with increased risk of death and poor outcome.