Spontaneous brain hemorrhage

Trajectories for Freehand-Guided Aspiration of Deep-Seated Spontaneous Intracerebral Hemorrhage

OBJECTIVE

Although external landmarks and trajectories for external ventricular drainage have been described for the freehand-guided method, no standard trajectory has been reported for deep-seated intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). This article presents a freehand-guided catheter insertion technique for deep-seated spontaneous ICH using external landmarks.

METHOD

Freehand-guided hematoma aspiration using Kocher's point and the external auditory canal as landmarks was performed in 32 patients with a diagnosis of spontaneous ICH in basal ganglia treated between May 2015 and July 2018 at the author's institute.

RESULTS

In computed tomographic images, the mean actual to planned catheter tip distance was 16.1 ± 7.7 mm, the mean right-left deviation was 4.6 ± 5.2 mm, the mean anterior-posterior deviation was 11.1 ± 9.5 mm, and the mean superior-inferior deviation was 8.7 ± 4.4 mm. On largest hematoma slice, the mean distance from hematoma centers to inserted catheter was 9.8 ± 4.9 mm, and the mean horizontal and vertical distances were 4.0 ± 4.7 mm and 7.7 ± 4.8 mm, respectively. In 29 of the 32 patients, all the catheter holes contacted hematomas, whereas in the other 3 patients, 1 or more holes were in contact with brain parenchymal tissue.

CONCLUSION

For patients with basal ganglia hemorrhage, freehand-guided catheter insertion and hematoma aspiration with subsequent fibrinolysis is a feasible procedure that shortens procedural times. The described technique could be used as an alternative method because it can be performed when the patient is in a critical state without additional equipment.

Neurologic manifestations of elderly patients with cancer

BACKGROUND

The incidence of cancer is an age-related phenomenon; therefore, the interest on clinical manifestations, diagnostic approach and treatment strategies for older patients diagnosed with cancer has increased lately. Neurologic symptoms are one of the main reasons for consultation and a common cause of decreased quality of life among cancer patients.

AIMS

To identify the neurologic manifestations of patients ≥ 65 years of age diagnosed with cancer and compare them to those presented by a younger population.

METHODS

Cross-sectional study of cancer patients referred to neuro-oncologic consultation at a Cancer Center. Sociodemographic, health and oncologic characteristics were obtained through clinical interviews. Clinical symptoms and final diagnoses were also recorded. Bivariate logistic regression analyses were carried out.

RESULTS

More than 17,000 neuro-oncologic consultations in 3015 patients were given, 27% (n = 811) of them were ≥ 65 years of age. Most frequent primary neoplasms in elderly patients were: breast cancer, hematologic neoplasms, gynecological, urologic, skin and head and neck cancers. Elderly patients had an increased risk of having the following diagnoses: abnormal movements, stroke, peripheral vertigo, dementia, degenerative spine disorder, and delirium.

DISCUSSION

Elderly patients are considered a vulnerable population. The present study found that the main neoplasms associated with neurological manifestations are similar to the reported previously. We described the main symptoms that led to a neuro-oncological assessment. Moreover, we enlisted the final diagnoses made on elderly patients and compared them with others reports. To the best of our knowledge, this study provides valuable information, since there is scarce evidence in the literature about this topic.

CONCLUSION

Identifying the frequency and correlation of neurologic manifestations in older cancer patients will allow for the implementation of timely multidisciplinary care in an attempt to improve these patients' health-related quality of life.

Clinical Features and Prognosis of Primary Intraventricular Hemorrhage in Elderly: Single-Center Experience

OBJECTIVE

Primary intraventricular hemorrhage (PIVH) is rare in the aging population and remains a challenge for cerebrovascular surgeons. In the present study, the authors reviewed the patient characteristics, angiographic results, and treatments and determined clinical outcomes in 34 patients older than 60 years of age who were treated at West China Hospital between 2010 and 2014.

METHODS

The medical records of elderly patients were queried. The parameters regarding patient demographics, presenting symptoms, treatment modalities, angiographic results, and clinical outcomes were assessed and analyzed.

RESULTS

There were 19 male (55.9%) and 15 female (44.1%) patients, with an average age (±SD) of 67.9 ± 7.7 years in our study. The most common symptoms on presentation were headache (50%), followed by disturbance of consciousness (26.5%). Only 5 patients (14.3%) were diagnosed with underlying cerebrovascular etiologies including Moyamoya disease (5.9%), arteriovenous malformations (2.9%), and aneurysms (5.9%). Idiopathic PIVH was diagnosed in 29 patients (85.7%). Thirteen patients (38.2%) underwent surgical intervention, while 21 patients (61.8%) received conservative treatment. Twelve patients (35.3%) had an unfavorable outcome at discharge, and an unfavorable outcome was observed in 14 patients (41.2%) at the 3-month follow-up. Patients with higher Graeb score might be associated with an unfavorable outcome both in short-term and long-term follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Most PIVH patients were diagnosed with idiopathic PIVH in the elderly. Surgical treatment of aging patients should be optimized to improve clinical outcomes. The admission Graeb scores were considered to be the independent prognostic factors for both short-term and long-term outcomes.

The profile of blunt traumatic infratentorial cranial bleed types

Infratentorial traumatic intracranial bleeds (ICBs) are rare and the distribution of subtypes is unknown. To characterize this distribution the National Trauma Data Bank (NTDB) 2014 was queried for adults with single type infratentorial ICB, n = 1,821: subdural hemorrhage (SDH), subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), epidural hemorrhage (EDH), and intraparenchymal hemorrhage (IPH). Comparisons were made between the groups with statistical significance determined using chi squared and t-tests. SDH occurred in 29% of patients, mostly in elderly on anti-coagulants (13%) after a fall (77%), 42% of them underwent craniotomy, their mortality was the lowest (4%). SAH was the most common (56%) occurring mostly from traffic related injuries (27%). Furthermore, 9% of them had a severe head injury Glasgow Coma Scale ≤8 (GCS), but had the lowest Injury Severity Score (ISS, median 8) as well as a short hospital length of stay, 5.1 ± 6.2 days. These patients were most likely to be discharged to home (64%). They had the lowest mortality (4%). EDH was the least common ICB (5%), occurred in younger patients (median age 49 years), and it had the highest percentage of associated injuries (13%). EDH patients presented with the poorest neurological status (26% GCS ≤8, ISS median 25) and were operated on more than any other ICB type (55%). EDH was the highest mortality (9%) ICB type and had a low discharge to home rate (58%). IPH was uncommon (10%). Infratentorial bleeds types have different clinical courses, and outcomes. Understanding these differences can be useful in managing these patients.

Minimally invasive approaches for the management of intraventricular hemorrhage

Adult-onset intraventricular hemorrhage is a potentially life-threatening condition associated with a high morbidity and mortality rates. Intraventricular hemorrhage remains one of the most challenging entities for neurosurgeons to treat. Various medical and surgical modalities have been employed for the management of this entity with variable success and complications rates. In this paper, we review the neurosurgical interventions for the management of intraventricular hemorrhage and describe new approaches and potential therapeutic modalities for the management of this devastating condition.

Factors Associated with Clinical Outcomes in Patients with Primary Intraventricular Hemorrhage

Background

Primary intraventricular hemorrhage (PIVH) is an uncommon type of intracerebral hemorrhage. Owing to its rarity, the clinical and radiological factors affecting outcomes in patients with PIVH have not been widely studied.

Material/Methods

We retrospectively reviewed 112 patients (mean age 53 years) treated for PIVH at our institution from January 2004 to December 2014. Clinical and radiological parameters were analyzed 3 months after initial presentation to identify factors associated with clinical outcomes, as assessed by the Glasgow Outcome Scale (favorable ≥4, unfavorable <4).

Results

Of the 99 patients who underwent angiography, causative vascular abnormalities were found in 46%, and included Moyamoya disease, arteriovenous malformation, and cerebral aneurysm. At 3 months after initial presentation, 64% and 36% of patients were in the favorable and unfavorable outcome groups, respectively. The mortality rate was 19%. However, most survivors had no or mild deficits. Age, initial Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score, simplified acute physiology score (SAPS II), modified Graeb score, and various radiological parameters reflecting ventricular dilatation were significantly different between the groups. Specifically, a GCS score of less than 13 (p=0.015), a SAPS II score of less than 33 (p=0.039), and a dilated fourth ventricle (p=0.043) were demonstrated to be independent predictors of an unfavorable clinical outcome.

Conclusions

In this study we reveal independent predictors of poor outcome in primary intraventricular hemorrhage patients, and show that nearly half of the patients in our study had predisposing vascular abnormalities. Routine angiography is recommended in the evaluation of PIVH to identify potentially treatable etiologies, which may enhance long-term prognosis.

Misdiagnosis of cerebellar hemorrhage – features of ‘pseudo-gastroenteritis’ clinical presentations to the ED and primary care

Background:

Early-stage cerebellar hemorrhage can present with nausea or vomiting absent other neurological symptoms or signs, potentially leading to an incorrect diagnosis of gastroenteritis. We sought to determine the frequency of gastroenteritis-like presentations and delayed or missed diagnoses among patients with spontaneous cerebellar hemorrhage.

Methods:

This is a retrospective, case-control analysis of atraumatic, primary cerebellar hemorrhages derived from a systematic search of surgical pathology and autopsy databases at two large urban, academic medical centers from 1984 to 2006. Hospital visit and clinical symptom data were abstracted from electronic and paper medical records for included patients. Delayed or missed diagnoses were defined as those at least one previous visit for relevant clinical symptoms in the 7 days prior to the correct diagnosis being confirmed.

Results:

Among 254 records captured by our search filter, we identified 35 cases of pathologically proven primary cerebellar hemorrhage. Four patients (11%) were misdiagnosed initially – three with “gastroenteritis” and one with “hypertension”. In this small sample, misdiagnosed patients presented more often with normal mental state (100% vs. 35%, p=0.07) and nausea/vomiting (100% vs. 58%, p=0.22). Although patients deteriorated clinically after the initial misdiagnosis, and potentially dangerous diagnostic tests and treatment strategies were instituted as a result of misdiagnosis, none of the misdiagnosed patients died or suffered major permanent harms due to diagnostic delay.

Conclusions:

Our study is limited by the small number of identified cases. Nevertheless, it appears that patients with cerebellar hemorrhages can present with relatively unimpressive clinical findings without obvious neurological manifestations. Such individuals are sometimes misdiagnosed with gastroenteritis or other benign disorders initially, possibly when neurologic examination, particularly gait testing, is omitted or abridged. A careful search for subtle cerebellar signs, including dysarthria, limb ataxia, nystagmus or tandem gait instability, absent in true gastroenteritis cases, could potentially reduce misdiagnosis.

A retrospective clinical study of 98 adult idiopathic primary intraventricular hemorrhage cases

The aim of the study is to define the clinical features, risk factors, treatment and prognosis of idiopathic primary intraventricular hemorrhage (IPIVH).We retrospectively collected the data of consecutively admitted patients who were diagnosed and treated for IPIVH in our hospital from January 2010 to December 2014. The clinical information, treatment, and prognosis at the 6-month follow-up were analyzed.Among the 3798 cases of spontaneous intracranial hemorrhage (ICH), 98 IPIVH (2.58%) patients were recruited for the study. The study population consisted of 60 males and 38 females, with an average age (± standard deviation, SD) of 51.20 ± 15.48 years. The initial symptoms were headache (75 cases) and impaired consciousness (23 cases). The surgical treatments included hematoma evacuation under a microscope or an endoscope in 8 cases (8.16%), external ventricular drainage (EVD) in 11 cases (11.22%), lumbar drainage (LD) in 10 cases (10.20%), and a combination of EVD and LD in 11 cases (11.22%). In total, 4 patients died in the hospital (4.08%). At the 6-month follow-up, 73 patients (74.49%) had an improved outcome (modified Rankin scale [mRS] < 3), and 21 patients (21.43%) had a poor outcome (mRS ≥ 3 points) at the end of the 6-month follow-up.IPIVH is rare in clinical practice, and hypertension is the most common risk factor. Furthermore, the treatment of IPIVH is still controversial. Hematoma evacuation under a microscope or an endoscope, EVD, LD and a combination of EVD and LD could be surgical options for the treatment of IPIVH patients. The outcomes for IPIVH patients could be relatively favorable with individualized treatment.

Overall outcomes following early interventions for intracranial arteriovenous malformations with hematomas

We evaluated the timing and predictors of surgical intervention for intracranial arteriovenous malformations (AVM) with hematoma. A ruptured intracranial AVM with hematoma is an emergency condition, and the optimal timing for surgical intervention is not well understood. In addition, the outcome predictors of surgical intervention have rarely been reported. We identified and analyzed 78 patients treated with microsurgical resection for pathologically proven AVM at Louisiana State University Health in Shreveport from February 1992 to December 2004. All 78 patients were diagnosed with ruptured AVM before surgery. The independent variables, including patient demographics, timing of surgery, location of the AVM and comorbidities were analyzed to assess outcome. The results of this series revealed that surgical intervention after 48hours resulted in poor outcomes for patients with hematoma, following a ruptured AVM. Several other prognostic factors, including younger age (11-40years), Spetzler-Martin Grade I and II, and AVM in a supratentorial location, had significant positive effects on outcomes. However, hypertension, smoking, and a prior embolization showed significant negative effects on outcomes after surgery. The multiple logistic regression analyses also revealed that the timing of surgical intervention had a significant effect on outcomes in patients with hematoma following ruptured AVM. Early intervention is the key to success in these patients.

Outcome of intracerebral hemorrhage: clinical and CT findings in 326 patients

Clinical symptoms and findings in cranial computed tomography (CT) were evaluated in 326 patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Localizations of ICH were the lobes (n = 254), the basal ganglia (n = 46), the pons and brain stem (n = 13) and the cerebellum (n = 8). Multiple hematomas were present in nine patients. An initial coma (n = 225) was most frequent in ICH of the pons (n = 7), cerebellum (n = 6), and the frontal (n = 71) and temporal (n = 66) lobes. Epileptic seizures (n = 70) were most common in hematomas of the frontal (n = 24), temporal (n = 19) and parietal (n = 12) lobes and the basal ganglia (n = 6). A history of hypertension was given in 140 patients; 119 of these had an ICH with a size of ≥3 cm. Mortality (n = 162) was high with ICH in the pons and brain stem (10 out of 13), in the frontal (54 out of 98) and parietal (32 out of 58) lobes and the basal ganglia (n = 23). A size of the ICH of 3 cm or more in cranial CT and an associated ventricular hemorrhage were associated with a bad outcome. An initial disturbance of consciousness was the only reliable clinical predictor of outcome (chi-square, p < 0.001). Katamnestic evaluation of 66 of the 164 survivors after 5.2 years revealed seizures in 20 patients and mild neurological deficits in 41. Another 14 patients were partially, and nine totally dependent Nineteen patients had died in between; there was only one death attributable to another ICH.

Cerebral amyloid angiopathy-associated intracerebral hemorrhage: pathology and management

Amyloid angiopathy-associated intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) comprises 12%-15% of lobar ICH in the elderly. This growing population has an increasing incidence of thrombolysis-related hemorrhages, causing the management of hemorrhages associated with cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) to take center stage. A concise reference assimilating the pathology and management of this clinical entity does not exist. Amyloid angiopathy-associated hemorrhages are most often solitary, but the natural history often progresses to include multifocal and recurrent hemorrhages. Compared with other causes of ICH, patients with CAA-associated hemorrhages have a lower mortality rate but an increased risk of recurrence. Unlike hypertensive arteriolar hemorrhages that occur in penetrating subcortical vessels, CAA-associated hemorrhages are superficial in location due to preferential involvement of vessels in the cerebral cortex and meninges. This feature makes CAA-associated hemorrhages easier to access surgically. In this paper, the authors discuss 3 postulates regarding the pathogenesis of amyloid hemorrhages, as well as the established clinicopathological classification of amyloid angiopathy and CAA-associated ICH. Common inheritance patterns of familial CAA with hemorrhagic strokes are discussed along with the role of genetic screening in relatives of patients with CAA. The radiological characteristics of CAA are described with specific attention to CAA-associated microhemorrhages. The detection of these microhemorrhages may have important clinical implications on the administration of anticoagulation and antiplatelet therapy in patients with probable CAA. Poor patient outcome in CAA-associated ICH is associated with dementia, increasing age, hematoma volume and location, initial Glasgow Coma Scale score, and intraventricular extension. The surgical management strategies for amyloid hemorrhages are discussed with a review of published surgical case series and their outcomes with a special attention to postoperative hemorrhage.

Singapore ministry of health clinical practice guidelines on stroke and transient ischemic attacks

The primary aim of these guidelines is to assist individual clinicians, hospital departments, and hospital administrators to produce local protocols for the: • assessment, investigation and immediate management of individuals with a transient ischemic attack or acute stroke (other than sub-arachnoid hemorrhage), and • secondary prevention and risk factor management following a transient ischemic attack or acute stroke. The secondary aim of these guidelines is to suggest methods for implementation and clinical audit. The workgroup preparing these guidelines was formed by the Ministry of Health, Singapore. It comprised healthcare workers from relevant specialties, family medicine, nursing, occupational therapy, and a lay patient advocate. The Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network's Clinical Practice Guidelines on the Management of Patients with Stroke were reviewed, updated, and modified to meet local needs. The final guidelines are made up of evidence-based recommendations covering the following areas - assessment, investigation, immediate management, secondary prevention, rehabilitation, and implications for service delivery. The guidelines were sent to professional organizations for comments and endorsements. The final version was circulated to all medical practitioners in Singapore. It is hoped that the guidelines will improve the care of patients with stroke and transient ischemic attack. Clinical quality improvement measures are proposed.

Matrix metalloproteinase-β19 expressed in cerebral amyloid angiopathy

BACKGROUND

Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) is a frequent finding in the brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). CAA may be complicated with CAA-associated intracerebral haemorrhage (CAAH). Previous studies have revealed matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) expression in a mouse model of CAA and in human intracerebral haemorrhage. Here we studied the involvement of MMPs in human CAA and CAAH.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

To investigate the putative expression of MMPs in human CAA and CAAH (Step 1), immunohistochemistry (IHC) against MMPs-1, -2, -7, -9, -19 and -26 was applied on tissue microarray (TMA) constructed of cerebral samples from 29 individuals with AD, 15 with CAAH and 2 controls. The findings in TMA were confirmed (Step 2) in tissue samples from 64 individuals, 45 presenting with CAA (including 36 with CAAH) and 19 without CAA (including 11 with hypertensive cerebral haemorrhage).

RESULTS

In Step 1, immunoreactivity against MMPs-19 and -26 was detected in cerebral blood vessels in CAA. The results were confirmed in Step 2, where CAA (p<0.001) and intracerebral haemorrhage (p=0.045) were associated with vascular immunoreactivity against MMP-19. Multivariate analysis showed that the association between vascular MMP-19 and intracerebral haemorrhage was dependent from CAA. MMP-26 associated with CAA (p=0.021) but not with intracerebral haemorrhage.

CONCLUSION

This is the first human study showing local MMP-19 immunoreactivity in the Aβ-amyloid-laden blood vessels in CAA, suggesting that MMPs may be involved in CAA.

Preliminary findings of the minimally-invasive surgery plus rtPA for intracerebral hemorrhage evacuation (MISTIE) clinical trial

INTRODUCTION

Compared to ischemic stroke, intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is easily and rapidly identified, occurs in younger patients, and produces relatively small initial injury to cerebral tissues--all factors suggesting that interventional amelioration is possible. Investigations from the last decade established that extent of ICH-mediated brain injury relates directly to blood clot volume and duration of blood exposure to brain tissue. Using minimally-invasive surgery plus recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA), MISTIE investigators explored aggressive avenues to treat ICH.

METHODS

We investigated the difference between surgical intervention plus rtPA and standard medical management for ICH. Subjects in both groups were medically managed according to standard ICU protocols. Subjects randomized to surgery underwent stereotactic catheter placement and clot aspiration. Injections of rtPA were then given through hematoma catheter every 8 h, up to 9 doses, or until a clot-reduction endpoint. After each injection the system was flushed with sterile saline and closed for 60 min before opening to spontaneous drainage.

RESULTS

Average aspiration of clots for all patients randomized to surgery plus rtPA was 20% of mean initial clot size. After acute treatment phase (aspiration plus rtPA), clot was reduced an average of 46%. Recorded adverse events were within safety limits, including 30-day mortality, 8%; symptomatic re-bleeding, 8%; and bacterial ventriculitis, 0%. Patients randomized to medical management showed 4% clot resolution in a similar time window. Preliminary analysis indicates that clot resolution rates are greatly dependent on catheter placement. Location of ICH also affects efficacy of aggressive treatment of ICH.

CONCLUSION

There is tentative indication that minimally-invasive surgery plus rtPA shows greater clot resolution than traditional medical management.

Early surgical treatment vs conservative management for spontaneous supratentorial intracerebral hematomas: A prospective randomized study

BACKGROUND

Treatment of primary SICH is still controversial. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of craniotomy and early hematoma evacuation vs nonoperative management in patients with SICH.

METHODS

A prospective randomized study of craniotomy and early hematoma removal vs best medical management was performed in 108 patients with primary SICH. Surgical or medical treatment was initiated within 8 hours post ictus. Principal eligibility criterium was the presence of neurologic impairment associated with a spontaneous subcortical or putaminal hemorrhage bigger than 30 mL. Outcomes were assessed at 1 year post ictus.

RESULTS

Analysis of outcome revealed a significantly higher percentage of GOS scores higher than 3 for the surgical patients, compared with those of the conservative group (33% and 9%, respectively; P < .05). By contrast, the mortality rates between operated and conservatively managed patients did not differ significantly. The main prognostic variables were the initial neurologic status, hematoma volume, and location. Stratifications of these parameters and analysis showed that the positive effect of surgery on the quality of survival was statistically not valid for patients with GCS scores lower than 8 or ICH volumes 80 mL or higher at the time of enrollment.

CONCLUSIONS

The study demonstrates that surgical patients with subcortical or putaminal hematomas showed better functional results than their conservatively treated counterparts. However, early ICH evacuation failed to improve the survival rates, as compared with best medical management.

Medical versus surgical therapy for spontaneous intracranial hemorrhage

Based on currently available literature, there is no definitive evidence to support decisions about which ICH patients should be managed surgically and which should be managed by medical therapy alone. Furthermore, when surgical ICH management is undertaken, there is no definitive evidence to suggest which procedure is indicated under different circumstances. Additional randomized controlled trials are needed to provide this evidence. Currently underway, the International Surgical Trial in Intracerebral Hemorrhage is a randomized controlled trial designed to determine if early surgical removal of ICH is superior to initial conservative management [30-32]. As of July 2001, 668 patients from 65 centers had been randomized to this trial. The investigators plan to enroll 1000 patients so as to achieve adequate statistical power. Preliminary results revealed that the median patient age was 65 years and that most patients were randomized within the first 24 hours of ictus. The presenting GCS scores ranged between 5 and 15, with the scores of half of the patients being greater than 10. Fewer than 15% of all patients had a favorable outcome based on the Glasgow Outcome Scale. No data are available on mortality rates or other outcome measures. Comparisons between the two treatment groups await the trial's conclusion. Future randomized controlled trials are clearly needed. A sufficient number of patients should be enrolled to assess the affects of patients age, comorbidities, hematoma volume, hematoma site (including dominant versus nondominant hemisphere), presenting neurologic examination, timing of surgery, and different surgical procedures (e.g., craniotomy, craniectomy, stereotactic needle aspiration, stereotactically guided endoscopic evacuation). Trials designed specifically to compare different surgical methods would be helpful.

Critical care of intracerebral and subarachnoid hemorrhage

The acute management of primary intracerebral or aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage requires a comprehensive approach involving stabilization of the patient, surgical intervention, and continued intensive care treatment of medical and neurologic complications. The are several causes of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), including hypertension, cerebral amyloid angiopathy, sympathomimetic drugs, and coagulopathies. More recently, use of thrombolytic agents in the treatment of acute ischemic stroke has increased the risk of ICH. Treatment of intracerebral hemorrhage is based on blood pressure control, and, in selected cases, surgical evacuation of clot. Patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage may experience rebleeding, symptomatic vasospasm, or hydrocephalus. Medical management in the intensive care unit with careful attention to fluid and electrolyte balance, nutrition, cardiopulmonary monitoring, and close observation for changes in the neurologic exam is vital. This review examines the diagnosis and intensive care management of patients with intracerebral or subarachnoid hemorrhage, and reviews some of the newer therapies for treatment of these disorders.

Near-real-time guidance using intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging for radical evacuation of hypertensive hematomas in the basal ganglia

OBJECTIVE

To report our preliminary clinical experience in treating patients with hypertensive hemorrhage in the basal ganglia using a minimally invasive approach facilitated by intraoperative real-time imaging of an open magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system and a newly designed cutting suction device.

METHODS

We developed an artifact-free device for use during intraoperative MRI consisting of a guiding base that locks into a burr hole, a side-cutting composite-based cannula connected to a standard aspirator, and a handpiece that allows aspiration strength to be regulated by the surgeon. Thirteen patients with hypertensive bleeding in the basal ganglia were included in the study. Outcome was evaluated by mortality, Glasgow Outcome Scale score, activities of daily living score, and Rankin score at 2 weeks and at a median of 4.2 months after the hemorrhage.

RESULTS

In this group of 13 patients, complete evacuation was achieved in 8 patients (62%) and subtotal evacuation of 75 to 90% of the initial volume in 4 patients (31%); the evacuation was partial in 1 patient (8%). Vascular malformations were preoperatively excluded angiographically. There was no rebleeding during surgery or postoperatively, as demonstrated by immediate postoperative MRI and computed tomography on the 1st postoperative day. Hematomas were evacuated on median Day 4 after the hemorrhage, varying between Day 1 and Day 8; evacuation was performed on Day 21 after the hemorrhage in one patient. Twelve of the 13 patients survived during a median follow-up time of 4.2 months. Neurological function improved in 11 of the 12 patients eligible for assessment. One patient with an additional head injury died 15 days after surgery from pulmonary embolism.

CONCLUSION

This study shows an excellent outcome with regard to mortality and a positive trend regarding neurological outcome for the specific group of patients with hypertensive hematomas in the basal ganglia. This minimally invasive approach is feasible in the open intraoperative MRI in combination with the cutting suction device developed in our institution. Online imaging is extremely helpful for planning, guiding, and real-time monitoring of the procedure.

Ultra-early clot aspiration after lysis with tissue plasminogen activator in a porcine model of intracerebral hemorrhage: edema reduction and blood-brain barrier protection

OBJECT

Ultra-early hematoma evacuation (< 4 hours) after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) may reduce mass effect and edema development and improve outcome. To test this hypothesis, the authors induced lobar hematomas in pigs.

METHODS

The authors infused 2.5 ml of blood into the frontal cerebral white matter in pigs weighing 8 to 10 kg. In the treatment group, clots were lysed with tissue plasminogen activator ([tPA], 0.3 mg) and aspirated at 3.5 hours after hematoma induction. Brains were frozen in situ at 24 hours post-ICH and hematomal and perihematomal edema volumes were determined on coronal sections by using computer-assisted morphometry. Hematoma evacuation rapidly reduced elevated cerebral tissue pressure from 12.2+/-1.3 to 2.8+/-0.8 mm Hg. At 24 hours, prior clot removal markedly reduced hematoma volumes (0.40+/-0.10 compared with 1.26+/-0.13 cm3, p < 0.005) and perihematomal edema volumes (0.28+/-0.05 compared with 1.46+/-0.24 cm3, p < 0.005), compared with unevacuated control lesions. Furthermore, no Evans blue dye staining of perihematomal edematous white matter was present in brains in which the hematomas had been evacuated, compared with untreated controls.

CONCLUSIONS

Hematomas were quickly and easily aspirated after treatment with tPA, resulting in significant reductions in mass effect. Hematoma aspiration after fibrinolysis with tPA enabled removal of the bulk of the hematoma (> 70%), markedly reduced perihematomal edema, and prevented the development of vasogenic edema. These findings in a large-animal model of ICH provide support for clinical trials that include the use of fibrinolytic agents and ultra-early stereotactically guided clot aspiration for treating ICH.

Recombinant tissue plasminogen activator for the treatment of spontaneous adult intraventricular hemorrhage

BACKGROUND

Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) has a poor prognosis with mortality rates of between 80 and 100% when all four ventricles are involved. Fibrinolytic therapy has been reported to improve overall outcome.

METHODS

Patients with severe primary IVH were treated by direct intraventricular injection of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) into the lateral ventricles, followed by cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drainage if the intracranial pressure rose above 20 mm Hg.

RESULTS

Over a 15-month period from 1995 through 1996, 10 patients were treated, (4 male and 6 female, mean age 35 years; range, 21-55 years). The mean Glasgow Coma Scale score on admission was 6 (range, 4-8) and the mean Graeb score for severity of IVH on the first CT scan was 10 (range, 8-12). Angiography was negative in five cases but identified arteriovenous malformations in three, a post-traumatic pseudoaneurysm in one, and Moya-moya disease in one. The mean total dose requirement of rt-PA was 8.25 mg (range, 6-12 mg) with a significant reduction in the mean Graeb score after 7 days to 3.9 (range, 2-7, p<0.0001). Outcome at 3 months was death in one case (mortality 10%), severe disability in two (20%), moderate disability in three (30%), and good result in four (40%). Four patients (40%) required subsequent CSF shunting. No complications of rehemorrhage, infection, or catheter obstruction were encountered.

CONCLUSION

Intraventricular fibrinolysis with rt-PA seems to be safe and effective for the treatment of severe IVH.

Continuous hemodialysis for the management of acute renal failure in the presence of cerebellar hemorrhage. Case report

In this report the authors describe the use of continuous venovenous hemodialysis (CVVHD) in a medically unstable patient who suffered from a spontaneous cerebellar hemorrhage. Conventional dialysis techniques carry the risk of developing the dialysis disequilibrium syndrome (DDS) when performed in the presence of a variety of intracranial diseases. The CVVHD technique was used successfully in a morbidly obese, short-statured woman with a spontaneous hypertensive intraparenchymal cerebellar hemorrhage. The woman experienced acute renal failure several days after her hemorrhage and her general medical condition prevented her from undergoing surgical evacuation. The CVVHD did not result in elevations in intracranial pressure (ICP) and the patient made a full recovery from both acute renal failure and life-threatening posterior fossa hemorrhage. This case is noteworthy because of the absence of abnormally high ICP elevations or development of DDS in a patient with a large acute posterior fossa intraparenchymal brain hemorrhage and acute renal failure whose case was managed with CVVHD in the acute period.

Spontaneous intracranial hematomas: role of dynamic CT and angiography

Forty-five patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) were studied prospectively by dynamic CT and cerebral angiography. The accuracy of dynamic CT in demonstrating the underlying vascular cause in ICH was evaluated. Dynamic CT correctly predicted 90% of aneurysms, 83% of AVMs and 100% of normal studies as compared to angiography. Cerebral angiography can be obviated in patients where dynamic CT does not show any obvious vascular anomaly.

Early metabolic alterations in edematous perihematomal brain regions following experimental intracerebral hemorrhage

OBJECT

The authors previously demonstrated, in a large-animal intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) model, that markedly edematous ("translucent") white matter regions (> 10% increases in water contents) containing high levels of clot-derived plasma proteins rapidly develop adjacent to hematomas. The goal of the present study was to determine the concentrations of high-energy phosphate, carbohydrate substrate, and lactate in these and other perihematomal white and gray matter regions during the early hours following experimental ICH.

METHODS

The authors infused autologous blood (1.7 ml) into frontal lobe white matter in a physiologically controlled model in pigs (weighing approximately 7 kg each) and froze their brains in situ at 1, 3, 5, or 8 hours postinfusion. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP), phosphocreatine (PCr), glycogen, glucose, lactate, and water contents were then measured in white and gray matter located ipsi- and contralateral to the hematomas, and metabolite concentrations in edematous brain regions were corrected for dilution. In markedly edematous white matter, glycogen and glucose concentrations increased two- to fivefold compared with control during 8 hours postinfusion. Similarly, PCr levels increased several-fold by 5 hours, whereas, except for a moderate decrease at 1 hour, ATP remained unchanged. Lactate was markedly increased (approximately 20 micromol/g) at all times. In gyral gray matter overlying the hematoma, water contents and glycogen levels were significantly increased at 5 and 8 hours, whereas lactate levels were increased two- to fourfold at all times.

CONCLUSIONS

These results, which demonstrate normal to increased high-energy phosphate and carbohydrate substrate concentrations in edematous perihematomal regions during the early hours following ICH, are qualitatively similar to findings in other brain injury models in which a reduction in metabolic rate develops. Because an energy deficit is not present, lactate accumulation in edematous white matter is not caused by stimulated anaerobic glycolysis. Instead, because glutamate concentrations in the blood entering the brain's extracellular space during ICH are several-fold higher than normal levels, the authors speculate, on the basis of work reported by Pellerin and Magistretti, that glutamate uptake by astrocytes leads to enhanced aerobic glycolysis and lactate is generated at a rate that exceeds utilization.

Cerebral amyloid angiopathy. A review

Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) is a condition characterized by amyloid deposition in cerebral blood vessels. It occurs most frequently in association with clinical Alzheimer's disease but also occurs in some nondemented elderly people. CAA is a cause of spontaneous cerebral hemorrhage and may therefore present as a sudden unexpected death in an elderly person. The amyloid is deposited in cortical blood vessels, and on hematoxylin-eosin sections takes the form of pink hyaline thickening of arteries and arterioles, often with narrowing of the lumina. For diagnosis apple-green birefringence after Congo red staining is the most widely practiced and reliable tool. CAA-related hemorrhage may also occur in any lobe of the cerebrum close to the external surface and may occur at multiple sites and at the same or different times. CAA-related hemorrhage may occur in the setting of trauma necessitating distinction between the two and raising the question of whether it precipitated trauma or vice versa. Usually CAA-related hemorrhage is infrequent in sites where traumatic hemorrhages occur, and traumatic hemorrhages are often associated with other hemorrhages in sites typical for trauma. Five cases demonstrating many of the clinical and pathological features of CAA-related hemorrhage are presented. In two of the five cases, the hemorrhage followed trauma, suggesting that trauma as a precipitating factor for CAA-related hemorrhage may be more common than is generally recognized. CAA-associated hemorrhage should be considered in the differential diagnosis of cerebral hemorrhage in the elderly whether or not dementia is present.

Surgical experience with massive lobar haemorrhage caused by cerebral amyloid angiopathy

Nineteen patients with massive lobar haemorrhage without angiographic lesions received direct or stereotactic surgery, and biopsy specimens were examined histologically. Ten patients (53%) were found to have vessels positive for Congo-red staining, and demonstrating amyloid angiopathy. In the patients with amyloid angiopathy, CT scan and surgical findings were investigated. Subarachnoid haemorrhage (9/10), irregularly shaped haematoma (9/10) and fluid-blood density level in the haematoma cavity (7/10) were frequently found on CT scan. The characteristic surgical findings in patients treated by direct surgery were subarachnoid haemorrhage adjacent to intracerebral haematoma (8/8) and the existence of a tangle of vessels in the haematoma cavity (4/8). Evacuation of haematomas was relatively easy, and difficulty of haemostasis was not encountered during surgery.

Recurrent hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage

Hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage has been considered as a one-time event with rare recurrence. This observation is quite different from our experience in Taiwan. We, therefore, conducted a systematic review of our series of consecutive patients with recurrent bleeding. During a 2-year period, we encountered 47 patients with recurrent hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage from a total of 892 consecutive patients with hypertensive hemorrhage (5.3%). There were 25 men and 22 women with a mean age of 59 +/- 10 (range: 36-78) years at the onset of the first hemorrhage and 62 +/- 9 (range: 39-80) years at the second hemorrhage. The median interval between 2 hemorrhages was 2 years and 4 months (range: 1 month to 8.5 years). All except one recurrent hemorrhages occurred at a site different from the previous one. Of the 38 patients admitted to our hospital for both hemorrhages only 5 were regularly treated with antihypertensive therapy. The outcome for the recurrent bleeding was grave: 26% died and 51% became totally dependent or vegetative. Recurrent hypertensive hemorrhage is not as rare as previously thought; it comprises 5.3% of our patients with hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage. The recurrent hemorrhage, however, rarely occurs at the same location as the previous one. Uncontrolled hypertension appears to be an important risk factor for the recurrence. Control of blood pressure after the first bleeding should be attempted to prevent recurrent hemorrhage.

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.

The value of MRI in angiogram-negative intracranial haemorrhage

In one year, cerebral angiograms were performed for intracranial haemorrhage (ICH) on 334 patients. No cause for haemorrhage could be identified in 41 (12%), 30 of whom had predominantly subarachnoid (SAH) and 11 predominantly parenchymal haemorrhage (PH). These patients were prospectively examined by cranial MRI 1-6 weeks after the ictus. The MRI studies were positive in 7 patients (17%). In the 30 patients examined after SAH, 2 studies were positive, showing an aneurysm in one case and a brain stem lesion of uncertain aetiology in the other. In those examined after PH, cavernous angiomas were shown in 2, a tumour in 1 and a vascular malformation in another; useful diagnostic information was thus obtained in 36% of this group.

Reversibility of severe brain stem dysfunction in children

The very popular concept of brain death can lead to a defeatist attitude when confronted by a patient with severe brain stem dysfunction. This problem is compounded by the constant controversy surrounding the establishing of criteria to determine brain death. Many young doctors tend to accept the precondition of irreversibility as being any condition that is not explicitly listed in the examples of potentially reversible conditions. In children, however, with compressive brain stem dysfunction, decompressive surgery can lead to a reversal of the dysfunction. In the last three years, we have had the opportunity to observe 5 children who were deeply comatose and apnoeic. All were suffering from compression of the brain stem and experienced dramatic return of brain stem function following emergency decompression. The implications of these findings on the therapeutic attitude towards compressive brain stem lesions in children are exposed. In children with severe brain stem dysfunction, and no evidence of brain stem destruction, decompressive surgery should be undertaken before a diagnosis of brain death is considered.

Delayed angiography in the investigation of intracerebral hematomas caused by small arteriovenous malformations

We reviewed the clinical and radiological features of ten patients with small arteriovenous malformations that caused intracerebral hematomas. In six patients, angiography showed a small nidus (less than 1 cm in diameter) with a shunt at the site of the hematoma, and in four only an early-filling vein was evident. Six patients had only delayed angiography (4 weeks or more after the ictus). In three, angiography within 2 days of the ictus failed to reveal the cause of the bleed, but repeat angiography showed an early-filling vein in two, and a nidus with shunting in one. In only one patient did early angiography reveal the malformation. MRI was obtained in eight patients, and in two prominent vessels were evident in the wall of the hematoma cavity. In investigation of an unexplained intracerebral hematoma, MRI may be useful to exclude a neoplasm or cavernoma, although the latter may be not be evident in the presence of a recent hematoma. We suggest early MRI and angiography for investigation of an unexplained, nonhypertensive intracerebral bleed, with follow-up MRI and delayed angiography if the initial studies fail to reveal the cause.

The results of surgery for intracerebral hematomas

Our retrospective study included 104 patients (28 female and 76 male) with intracerebral bleeding, treated between 1978 and 1988 in the Neurosurgical Clinic of the Medical University in Hannover. The average age was 43 years. 53 patients presented with traumatic intracerebral bleedings, and 51 with spontaneous hematomas. 31 patients with spontaneous hematomas were operated: among these a good or satisfactory result was obtained in 19 patients, and 12 died. Of the 20 non-operated patients, a good or satisfactory result was achieved in 10. 31 patients were operated in the group with traumatic hematoma, of these 22 had a good or satisfactory outcome and 9 patients died or had an unsatisfactory result. Of the 22 non-operated patients, 13 died and 9 achieved a good or satisfactory result. In the stratified Chi2-Test the effects of the operation were not found to be significant, with 0.1 less than p less than 0.25 for spontaneous, and 0.25 less than p less than 0.05 for the traumatic hematomas. There is a trend in favor of the operation in certain cases.

Cerebral amyloid angiopathy without and with cerebral hemorrhages: a comparative histological study

To identify those factors associated with cerebral hemorrhage among brains with cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA), we undertook a comparative postmortem histopathological study of amyloid-containing vessels in the brains of patients with and without hemorrhage. Those without hemorrhage were represented by the following two groups: (1) elderly patients from a large general hospital (n = 66; age range, 75-107 years) and (2) patients with various neuropsychiatric disorders (n = 70; age range, 27-96 years). CAA was found in 45% of the first group and in 54% of the second group. The findings in these patients were compared with those in 17 brains in which both CAA and cerebral hemorrhage were present. We found that CAA was more severe in the brains with cerebral hemorrhage than in those without, and that fibrinoid necrosis was seen only in the brains with cerebral hemorrhage (12 of the 17 brains). Microaneurysms occurred only in the presence of severe, rather than moderate or mild, CAA. Serial sections in 2 brains of patients with cerebral hemorrhage showed fibrinoid necrosis, microaneurysms, and vascular rupture in close association with the hemorrhage. In 2 patients, hemorrhage was precipitated by trauma, and in 1, it was secondary to metastatic carcinoma. The features of brains from patients with CAA that are most consistently related to cerebral hemorrhage are (1) a severe degree of CAA and (2) the presence of fibrinoid necrosis, with or without microaneurysms.