Computed tomography in acute intracerebral hemorrhage: neuroimaging predictors of hematoma expansion and outcome

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) accounts for 10–20% of all strokes worldwide and is associated with serious outcomes, including a 30-day mortality rate of up to 40%. Neuroimaging is pivotal in diagnosing ICH as early detection and determination of underlying cause, and risk for expansion/rebleeding is essential in providing the correct treatment. Non-contrast computed tomography (NCCT) is the most used modality for detection of ICH, identification of prognostic markers and measurements of hematoma volume, all of which are of major importance to predict outcome. The strongest predictors of 30-day mortality and functional outcome for ICH patients are baseline hematoma volume and hematoma expansion. Even so, exact hematoma measurement is rare in clinical routine practice, primarily due to a lack of tools available for fast, effective, and reliable volumetric tools. In this educational review, we discuss neuroimaging findings for ICH from NCCT images, and their prognostic value, as well as the use of semi-automatic and fully automated hematoma volumetric methods and assessment of hematoma expansion in prognostic studies.

Vascular headache an traumatic brain injury

In a medical emergency, the most urgent patients at significant risk of death are those witha cerebrovascular accident and those with traumatic brain injury. Many are admitted withdiminished conscience status (coma) and focal neurological deficits. In the evaluation ofthese patients, neuroimaging is indispensable in order to identify the type of lesion andthe location of the brain where it is located.In the case of stroke, we can subdivide it into hemorrhagic and ischemic. Among hemorrhagic hemorrhages, we can mention (1) spontaneous intracerebral hematomasand (2) hemorrhages due to rupture of an intracranial aneurysm, with subarachnoidhemorrhage leading.Patients with head trauma are critical; even those who arrive at the hospital alert andoriented can decrease their level of consciousness in a few hours due to an intracranialhematoma, edema, or cerebral contusion.Thus, the availability of performing neuroimaging evaluations, using computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, or even digital angiography, is vital for continuoussupervision of this type of patient. The exams often require repetition several times due tothe rate of evolution of vascular lesions and after head trauma.A warning sign in these types of patients is headache. In the intracranial aneurysmal rupture, we classically have the thunderclap headache, an explosive, sudden pain mentionedas the worst pain the individual has suffered in his or her life. The pericranium and someintracranial structures are sensitive to nociceptive stimuli, such as the dura mater, largearteries, and venous sinuses. The brain is relatively insensitive to painful stimuli.This narrative review aims to inform the importance of neuroimaging assessment of patients with stroke and traumatic brain injury in an emergency department. In conclusion,a neuroimaging evaluation is paramount in addition to a neurological and physicalexamination of the critically ill patient with cerebrovascular disease or who has suffereda traumatic brain injury

Hemorrhagic stroke

Hemorrhagic stroke comprises about 20% of all strokes, with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) being the most common type. Frequency of ICH is increased where hypertension is untreated. ICH in particularly has a disproportionately high risk of early mortality and long-term disability. Until recently, there has been a paucity of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to provide evidence for the efficacy of various commonly considered interventions in ICH, including acute blood pressure management, coagulopathy reversal, and surgical hematoma evacuation. Evidence-based guidelines do exist for ICH and these form the basis for a framework of care. Current approaches emphasize control of extremely high blood pressure in the acute phase, rapid reversal of vitamin K antagonists, and surgical evacuation of cerebellar hemorrhage. Lingering questions, many of which are the topic of ongoing clinical research, include optimizing individual blood pressure targets, reversal strategies for newer anticoagulant medications, and the role of minimally invasive surgery. Risk stratification models exist, which derive from findings on clinical exam and neuroimaging, but care should be taken to avoid a self-fulfilling prophecy of poor outcome from limiting treatment due to a presumed poor prognosis. Cerebral venous thrombosis is an additional subtype of hemorrhagic stroke that has a unique set of causes, natural history, and treatment and is discussed as well.

Meta-Analysis of Accuracy of the Spot Sign for Predicting Hematoma Growth and Clinical Outcomes

Background and Purpose- The computed tomography angiographic spot sign refers to contrast leakage within intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). It has been proposed as a surrogate radiological marker for ICH growth. We conducted a meta-analysis to study the accuracy of the spot sign for predicting ICH growth and mortality. Methods- PubMed, Medline, conference proceedings, and article references in English up to June 2017 were searched for studies reporting "computed tomography angiography" and "spot sign" or "intracerebral hemorrhage" and "spot sign." Each study was ranked on 27 criteria resulting in a quality rating score. Bivariate random effect meta-analysis was used to calculate positive and negative likelihood ratios and area under summary receiver operating characteristics curve for ICH growth and mortality. Hematoma growth was defined using the change in ≥6 mL or ≥33% increase in volume. Results- There were 26 studies describing 5085 patients, including 15 studies not used in previous meta-analyses. Positive likelihood ratio and negative likelihood ratio for ICH growth were 4.85 (95% CI, 3.85-6.02; I²=76.1%) and 0.49 (95% CI, 0.40-0.58) and mortality were 4.65 (95% CI, 3.67-5.90) and 0.55 (95% CI, 0.40-0.69), respectively. For ICH growth, the pooled sensitivity was 0.57 (95% CI, 0.49-0.64) and pooled false positive rate was 0.12 (95% CI, 0.09-0.14). The post-test probability of ICH growth was 0.57. The area under the curve for ICH growth and mortality was 0.86 and 0.87 (CIs are not provided in bivariate method). Meta-regression showed sensitivity of the test to decline significantly with subsequent year of publication (β=-0.148; 95% CI, -0.295 to -0.001; P=0.05). Higher quality assessment is associated with lower false positive rate (β=-0.074; 95% CI, -0.126 to -0.022; P=0.006). Conclusions- The high area under the curve potentially suggests that the spot sign can predict hematoma growth and mortality. Caution is recommended in its application given the heterogeneity across studies, which is appropriate given the data.

Clinical and Radiographic Predictors of Intracerebral Hemorrhage Outcome

BACKGROUND

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) represents 10-15% of all stroke cases in the US annually. Fewer than 40% of these patients ever reach long-term functional independence, and mortality rate is roughly 40% at 1 month. Due to the high morbidity and mortality rates after ICH, early detection of high-risk patients would be beneficial in directing the management course and goals of care. This review aims to discuss relevant clinical and radiographic characteristics that can serve as predictors of poor prognosis and examine their efficacy in predicting patient outcomes after ICH.

SUMMARY

A literature review was conducted on various clinical and radiographic factors. They were examined for their predictive value in relation to ICH outcome. Studies that focused on each of these factors were included, and their results analyzed for trends with regard to incidence, patient outcome, and mortality rate.

KEY MESSAGE

In this review, we examined clinical and radiographic characteristics that have been found to be significantly associated to a varying degree with poor outcome. Clinical and radiographic predictors of poor patient outcome are invaluable when it comes to identifying high-risk patients and triaging accordingly as well as guiding decision-making.

Secondary Hematoma Expansion and Perihemorrhagic Edema after Intracerebral Hemorrhage: From Bench Work to Practical Aspects

Intracerebral hemorrhages (ICH) represent about 10-15% of all strokes per year in the United States alone. Key variables influencing the long-term outcome after ICH are hematoma size and growth. Although death may occur at the time of the hemorrhage, delayed neurologic deterioration frequently occurs with hematoma growth and neuronal injury of the surrounding tissue. Perihematoma edema has also been implicated as a contributing factor for delayed neurologic deterioration after ICH. Cerebral edema results from both blood-brain barrier disruption and local generation of osmotically active substances. Inflammatory cellular mediators, activation of the complement, by-products of coagulation and hemolysis such as thrombin and fibrin, and hemoglobin enter the brain and induce a local and systemic inflammatory reaction. These complex cascades lead to apoptosis or neuronal injury. By identifying the major modulators of cerebral edema after ICH, a therapeutic target to counter degenerative events may be forthcoming.

Management of intracerebral hemorrhage

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a potentially devastating neurologic injury representing 10-15% of stroke cases in the USA each year. Numerous risk factors, including age, hypertension, male gender, coagulopathy, genetic susceptibility, and ethnic descent, have been identified. Timely identification, workup, and management of this condition remain a challenge for clinicians as numerous factors can present obstacles to achieving good functional outcomes. Several large clinical trials have been conducted over the prior decade regarding medical and surgical interventions. However, no specific treatment has shown a major impact on clinical outcome. Current management guidelines do exist based on medical evidence and consensus and these provide a framework for care. While management of hypertension and coagulopathy are generally considered basic tenets of ICH management, a variety of measures for surgical hematoma evacuation, intracranial pressure control, and intraventricular hemorrhage can be further pursued in the emergent setting for selected patients. The complexity of management in parenchymal cerebral hemorrhage remains challenging and offers many areas for further investigation. A systematic approach to the background, pathology, and early management of spontaneous parenchymal hemorrhage is provided.

Predicting Intracerebral Hemorrhage Growth With the Spot Sign: The Effect of Onset-to-Scan Time

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Hematoma expansion after acute intracerebral hemorrhage is common and is associated with early deterioration and poor clinical outcome. The computed tomographic angiography (CTA) spot sign is a promising predictor of expansion; however, frequency and predictive values are variable across studies, possibly because of differences in onset-to-CTA time. We performed a patient-level meta-analysis to define the relationship between onset-to-CTA time and frequency and predictive ability of the spot sign.

METHODS

We completed a systematic review for studies of CTA spot sign and hematoma expansion. We subsequently pooled patient-level data on the frequency and predictive values for significant hematoma expansion according to 5 predefined categorized onset-to-CTA times. We calculated spot-sign frequency both as raw and frequency-adjusted rates.

RESULTS

Among 2051 studies identified, 12 met our inclusion criteria. Baseline hematoma volume, spot-sign status, and time-to-CTA were available for 1176 patients, and 1039 patients had follow-up computed tomographies for hematoma expansion analysis. The overall spot sign frequency was 26%, decreasing from 39% within 2 hours of onset to 13% beyond 8 hours (P<0.001). There was a significant decrease in hematoma expansion in spot-positive patients as onset-to-CTA time increased (P=0.004), with positive predictive values decreasing from 53% to 33%.

CONCLUSIONS

The frequency of the CTA spot sign is inversely related to intracerebral hemorrhage onset-to-CTA time. Furthermore, the positive predictive value of the spot sign for significant hematoma expansion decreases as time-to-CTA increases. Our results offer more precise risk stratification for patients with acute intracerebral hemorrhage and will help refine clinical prediction rules for intracerebral hemorrhage expansion.

Small intracerebral hemorrhages have a low spot sign prevalence and are less likely to expand

Background

Hematoma expansion is a major predictor of morbidity and mortality after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Both baseline hematoma volume and the CT-angiogram (CTA) spot sign predict hematoma expansion. Because the CTA spot sign may represent foci of active hemorrhage, we hypothesized that patients with smaller baseline hematoma volumes are less likely to be spot sign positive, and therefore less likely to expand.

Aim

We sought to validate our prior finding that small hematomas are unlikely to expand, and to determine the relationship between baseline hematoma volume, spot sign status, and risk of hematoma expansion.

Methods

Data were from the prospective PREDICT ICH study. Patients presenting within 6 h of symptom onset with completed baseline CT, CTA, and follow-up CT were included. Baseline hematoma volume was categorized a priori (<3 mL, 3–10 mL, 10–20 mL, >20 mL). The primary outcome was significant hematoma expansion (≥6 mL, ≥12.5 mL or ≥33%) and secondary outcomes were early neurological worsening, good clinical outcome (modified Rankin Scale 0–3), and mortality at 90 days.

Results

Among 315 patients meeting the inclusion criteria, baseline hematoma volume category predicted absolute hematoma expansion ( p < 0.001), spot sign prevalence ( p < 0.001), early neurologic worsening ( p = 0.002), clinical outcome ( p < 0.001), and mortality ( p < 0.001). Very small hematomas (<3 mL) were unlikely to be spot positive (7.7%), unlikely to expand (2.6%), and were associated with a 73% chance of good clinical outcome. Spot sign appeared to be most predictive of expansion in the 3–10 mL baseline hematoma volume category.

Conclusion

Very small hematomas are unlikely to expand and have a low spot sign prevalence. Hemostatic therapy trials may be best targeted at hemorrhages >3 mL in volume.

Spot Sign in Acute Intracerebral Hemorrhage in Dynamic T1-Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

In computed tomographic imaging of acute intracerebral hemorrhage spot sign on computed tomographic angiography has been established as a marker for hematoma expansion and poor clinical outcome. Although, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can accurately visualize acute intracerebral hemorrhage, a corresponding MRI marker is lacking to date.

METHODS

We prospectively examined 50 consecutive patients with acute intracerebral hemorrhage within 24 hours of symptom onset. The MRI protocol consisted of a standard stroke protocol and dynamic contrast-enhanced T1-weighted imaging with a time resolution of 7.07 s/batch. Stroke scores were assessed at admission and at time of discharge. Volume measurements of hematoma size and spot sign were performed with MRIcron.

RESULTS

Contrast extravasation within sites of the hemorrhage (MRI spot sign) was seen in 46% of the patients. Patients with an MRI spot sign had a significantly shorter time to imaging than those without (P<0.001). The clinical outcome measured by the modified Rankin Scale was significantly worse in patients with spot sign compared with those without (P≤0.001). Hematoma expansion was observed in the spot sign group compared with the nonspot sign group, although the differences were not significant.

CONCLUSIONS

Spot sign can be detected using MRI on postcontrast T1-weighted and dynamic T1-weighted images. It is associated with worse clinical outcome. The time course of contrast extravasation in dynamic T1 images indicates that these spots represent ongoing bleeding.

Guidelines for the Management of Spontaneous Intracerebral Hemorrhage: A Guideline for Healthcare Professionals From the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association

PURPOSE

The aim of this guideline is to present current and comprehensive recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage.

METHODS

A formal literature search of PubMed was performed through the end of August 2013. The writing committee met by teleconference to discuss narrative text and recommendations. Recommendations follow the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association methods of classifying the level of certainty of the treatment effect and the class of evidence. Prerelease review of the draft guideline was performed by 6 expert peer reviewers and by the members of the Stroke Council Scientific Oversight Committee and Stroke Council Leadership Committee.

RESULTS

Evidence-based guidelines are presented for the care of patients with acute intracerebral hemorrhage. Topics focused on diagnosis, management of coagulopathy and blood pressure, prevention and control of secondary brain injury and intracranial pressure, the role of surgery, outcome prediction, rehabilitation, secondary prevention, and future considerations. Results of new phase 3 trials were incorporated.

CONCLUSIONS

Intracerebral hemorrhage remains a serious condition for which early aggressive care is warranted. These guidelines provide a framework for goal-directed treatment of the patient with intracerebral hemorrhage.

Prediction of Intracerebral Haemorrhage Expansion with Clinical, Laboratory, Pharmacologic, and Noncontrast Radiographic Variables

Background

Hematoma expansion confers excess mortality in intracerebral haemorrhage, and is potentially preventable if at-risk patients can be identified. Contrast extravasation on initial computed tomographic angiography strongly predicts hematoma expansion but is not very sensitive, and most centers have not yet integrated computed tomographic angiography into acute intracerebral haemorrhage management. We therefore asked whether other presentation variables can predict hematoma expansion.

Methods

We searched the electronic medical records of a large integrated healthcare delivery system to identify patients with a hospitalization discharge diagnosis of intracerebral haemorrhage between the years 2008 and 2010. Hematoma expansion was defined as radiographic increase by 1/3 or by 12·5 ml within 48 h of presentation. Pre-specified patient demographic and clinical presentation variables were extracted. Stepwise multivariable logistic regression was performed to model hematoma expansion. Because some patients may have died from hematoma expansion without a second head computed tomography, we constructed a separate model including patients that died without a second head computed tomography in 48 h, hematoma expansion or death.

Results

Ninety-one of 257 patients (35%) had hematoma expansion. Antithrombotic use (odds ratio = 1·9, P = 0·04) and initial mNIHSS (modified National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale; odds ratio = 1·06, P = 0·001) were significant predictors in the hematoma expansion model (area under the Receiver–Operator Characteristics curve, AUROC = 0·6712, pseudo- r2 = 0·0641). 163 of 343 patients (48%) had hematoma expansion or death. Age (odds ratio = 1·02, P = 0·02), initial mNIHSS (odds ratio = 1·07, P < 0·001), and initial hematoma volume (odds ratio = 1·01, P = 0·03) were significant predictors of hematoma expansion or death (AUROC = 0·7579, pseudo- r2 = 0·1722).

Conclusion

Clinical and noncontrast radiographic variables only weakly predict hematoma expansion. Examination of other indicators, such as computed tomographic angiography contrast extravasation (the ‘spot sign’), may prove more valuable in acute intracerebral haemorrhage care.

Prediction and observation of post-admission hematoma expansion in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage

Post-admission hematoma expansion in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) comprises a simultaneous major clinical problem and a possible target for medical intervention. In any case, the ability to predict and observe hematoma expansion is of great clinical importance. We review radiological concepts in predicting and observing post-admission hematoma expansion. Hematoma expansion can be observed within the first 24 h after symptom onset, but predominantly occurs in the early hours. Thus capturing markers of on-going bleeding on imaging techniques could predict hematoma expansion. The spot sign observed on computed tomography angiography is believed to represent on-going bleeding and is to date the most well investigated and reliable radiological predictor of hematoma expansion as well as functional outcome and mortality. On non-contrast CT, the presence of foci of hypoattenuation within the hematoma along with the hematoma-size is reported to be predictive of hematoma expansion and outcome. Because patients tend to arrive earlier to the hospital, a larger fraction of acute ICH-patients must be expected to undergo hematoma expansion. This renders observation and radiological follow-up investigations increasingly relevant. Transcranial duplex sonography has in recent years proven to be able to estimate hematoma volume with good precision and could be a valuable tool in bedside serial observation of acute ICH-patients. Future studies will elucidate, if better prediction and observation of post-admission hematoma expansion can help select patients, who will benefit from hemostatic treatment.

Critical care management of intracerebral hemorrhage

Primary, spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) confers significant early mortality and long-term morbidity worldwide. Advances in acute care including investigative, diagnostic, and management strategies are important to improving outcomes for patients with ICH. Physicians caring for patients with ICH should anticipate the need for emergent blood pressure reduction, coagulopathy reversal, cerebral edema management, and surgical interventions including ventriculostomy and hematoma evacuation. This article reviews the pathogenesis and diagnosis of ICH, and details the acute management of spontaneous ICH in the critical care setting according to existing evidence and published guidelines.

Showing no spot sign is a strong predictor of independent living after intracerebral haemorrhage

BACKGROUND

A spot sign on computed tomography angiography (CTA) is a potentially strong predictor of poor outcome on ultra-early radiological imaging. The aim of this study was to assess the spot sign as a predictor of functional outcome at 3 months as well as long-term mortality, with a focus on the ability to identify patients with a spontaneous, acceptable outcome.

METHODS

In a prospective, consecutive single-centre registry of acute stroke patients, we investigated patients with spontaneous intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) admitted within 4.5 h after symptom onset from April 2009 to January 2013. The standard work-up in our centre included CTA for spot sign status, unless a contraindication was present. Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores were assessed at 3 months in the outpatient clinic or by telephone interviews. Long-term mortality was assessed by electronic chart follow-up for up to 1,500 days.

RESULTS

Of the 128 patients, 37 (28.9%) had a spot sign on admission CTA. The presence of a spot sign was associated with larger median admission haematoma volume [38.0 ml (IQR 18.0-78.0) vs. 12.0 ml (5.0-24.0); p<0.0001] and higher median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score [19 (IQR 12-23) vs. 12 (6-16); p<0.0001]. Three months after stroke, the median functional outcome was considerably better in patients without spot sign [mRS score 3 (IQR 2-4) vs. 6 (4-6); p<0.0001]. The absence of a spot sign showed a sensitivity and specificity for good outcome (mRS scores 0-2) of 0.91 and 0.36, respectively. The presence of a spot sign was, in multivariate models, an independent inverse predictor of good 3-month outcome (OR 0.17; 95% CI: 0.03-0.88) as well as a prominent independent predictor of poor 3-month outcome (mRS scores 5-6; OR 3.40; 95% CI: 1.10-10.5) and death during follow-up (HR 3.04; 95% CI: 1.45-6.34). Patients with a spot sign surviving the acute phase had long-term survival comparable to patients with no spot sign.

CONCLUSION

The absence or presence of a spot sign is a reliable ultra-early predictor of long-term mortality and functional outcome in patients with spontaneous ICH.

Multicenter Accuracy and Interobserver Agreement of Spot Sign Identification in Acute Intracerebral Hemorrhage

Background and Purpose—

Rapid, accurate, and reliable identification of the computed tomography angiography spot sign is required to identify patients with intracerebral hemorrhage for trials of acute hemostatic therapy. We sought to assess the accuracy and interobserver agreement for spot sign identification.

Methods—

A total of 131 neurology, emergency medicine, and neuroradiology staff and fellows underwent imaging certification for spot sign identification before enrolling patients in 3 trials targeting spot-positive intracerebral hemorrhage for hemostatic intervention (STOP-IT, SPOTLIGHT, STOP-AUST). Ten intracerebral hemorrhage cases (spot-positive/negative ratio, 1:1) were presented for evaluation of spot sign presence, number, and mimics. True spot positivity was determined by consensus of 2 experienced neuroradiologists. Diagnostic performance, agreement, and differences by training level were analyzed.

Results—

Mean accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity for spot sign identification were 87%, 78%, and 96%, respectively. Overall sensitivity was lower than specificity ( P <0.001) because of true spot signs incorrectly perceived as spot mimics. Interobserver agreement for spot sign presence was moderate ( k =0.60). When true spots were correctly identified, 81% correctly identified the presence of single or multiple spots. Median time needed to evaluate the presence of a spot sign was 1.9 minutes (interquartile range, 1.2–3.1 minutes). Diagnostic performance, interobserver agreement, and time needed for spot sign evaluation were similar among staff physicians and fellows.

Conclusions—

Accuracy for spot identification is high with opportunity for improvement in spot interpretation sensitivity and interobserver agreement particularly through greater reliance on computed tomography angiography source data and awareness of limitations of multiplanar images. Further prospective study is needed.

New avenues for treatment of intracranial hemorrhage

OPINION STATEMENT

The mortality and morbidity from intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) remain high despite advances in medical, neurologic, and surgical care during the past decade. The lessons learned from previous therapeutic trials in ICH, improved understanding of the pathophysiology of neuronal injury after ICH, and advances in imaging and pre-hospital assessment technologies provide optimism that more effective therapies for ICH are likely to emerge in the coming years. The potential new avenues for the treatment of ICH include a combination of increased utilization of minimally invasive surgical techniques with or without thrombolytic usage to evacuate or reduce the size of the hematoma; utilization of advanced imaging to improve selection of patients who are likely to benefit from reversal of coagulopathy or hemostatic therapy; ultra-early diagnosis and initiation of therapy in the ambulance; and the use of novel drugs to target the secondary injury mechanisms, including the inflammatory cascade, perihematomal edema reduction, and hemoglobin degradation products-mediated toxicity.