Management and Outcome of Spontaneous Cerebellar Hemorrhage

Long-Term Outcomes in Patients With Spontaneous Cerebellar Hemorrhage: An International Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

Spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) in the cerebellum has a poor short-term prognosis, whereas data on the long-term case fatality and recurrent vascular events are sparse. Herewith, we aimed to assess the long-term case fatality and recurrence rate of vascular events after a first cerebellar ICH.

METHODS

In this international cohort study, we included patients from 10 hospitals (the United States and Europe from 1997 to 2017) aged ≥18 years with a first spontaneous cerebellar ICH who were discharged alive. Data on long-term case fatality and recurrence of vascular events (recurrent ICH [supratentoria or infratentorial], ischemic stroke, myocardial infarction, or major vascular surgery) were collected for survival analysis and absolute event rate calculation.

RESULTS

We included 405 patients with cerebellar ICH (mean age [SD], 72 [13] years, 49% female). The median survival time was 67 months (interquartile range, 23-100 months), with a cumulative survival rate of 34% at 10-year follow-up (median follow-up time per center ranged: 15-80 months). In the 347 patients with data on vascular events 92 events occurred in 78 patients, after initial cerebellar ICH: 31 (8.9%) patients had a recurrent ICH (absolute event rate, 1.8 per 100 patient-years [95% CI, 1.2-2.6]), 39 (11%) had an ischemic stroke (absolute event rate, 2.3 [95% CI, 1.6-3.2]), 13 (3.7%) had a myocardial infarction (absolute event rate, 0.8 [95% CI, 0.4-1.3]), and 5 (1.4%) underwent major vascular surgery (absolute event rate, 0.3 [95% CI, 0.1-0.7]). The median time to a first vascular event during follow-up was 27 months (interquartile range, 8.7-50 months), with a cumulative hazard of 47% at 10 years.

CONCLUSIONS

The long-term prognosis of patients who survive a first spontaneous cerebellar ICH is poor and comparable to that of patients who survive a first supratentorial ICH. Further identification of patients at high risk of vascular events following the initial cerebellar ICH is needed. Including patients with cerebellar ICH in randomized controlled trials on secondary prevention of patients with ICH is warranted.

Cerebellar hemorrhages in patients with Dutch-type hereditary cerebral amyloid angiopathy

BACKGROUND

Recent studies suggest that superficially located cerebellar intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and microbleeds might point towards sporadic cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA).

AIMS

We investigated the proportion of cerebellar ICH and asymptomatic macro- and microbleeds in Dutch-type hereditary CAA (D-CAA), a severe and essentially pure form of CAA.

METHODS

Symptomatic patients with D-CAA (defined as ≥1 symptomatic ICH) and presymptomatic D-CAA mutation-carriers were included. We assessed magnetic resonance imaging scans for symptomatic (cerebellar) ICH and asymptomatic cerebellar macro- and microbleeds according to the STRIVE-criteria. Location was assessed as superficial-cerebellar (cortex, vermis or juxta-cortical) or deep-cerebellar (white matter, pedunculi cerebelli and gray nuclei).

RESULTS

We included 63 participants (mean age 58 years, 60% women, 42 symptomatic). In total, the 42 symptomatic patients with D-CAA had 107 symptomatic ICH (range 1-7). None of these ICH were located in the cerebellum. Six of 42 (14%, 95%CI 4-25%) symptomatic patients and none of the 21 (0%, 95%CI 0-0%) presymptomatic carriers had ≥ 1 asymptomatic cerebellar macrobleed(s). All macrobleeds were superficially located. Cerebellar microbleeds were found in 40 of 63 (64%, 95%CI 52-76) participants (median 1.0, range 0-159), 81% in symptomatic patients and 29% in presymptomatic carriers. All microbleeds were strictly or predominantly superficially (ratio superficial versus deep 15:1) located.

CONCLUSIONS

Superficially located asymptomatic cerebellar macrobleeds and microbleeds are common in D-CAA. Cerebellar microbleeds are already present in the presymptomatic stage. Despite the high frequency of cerebellar micro and macrobleeds, CAA pathology did not result in symptomatic cerebellar ICH in patients with D-CAA.

Angiographic analysis on posterior fossa hemorrhages and vascular malformations beyond aneurysms by CT angiography and digital subtraction angiography

Background

Posterior fossa malformations are less common than supratentorial malformations, but hemorrhages in posterior fossa are more serious due to presence of vital structures within this region. Most common cause of bleed in posterior fossa apart from hypertension is aneurysms but other vascular malformations are also there which cause hemorrhage. Here we discuss other causes of posterior fossa bleed beyond aneurysms.

Results

A total of 80 patients were evaluated: 47 (58.8%) had aneurysms, 29 (36.3%) had arteriovenous malformations, one each had developmental venous anomaly and brainstem cavernoma. Thirty vascular malformations were detected, of which 18 (62.1%) were pial arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), 11 (37.9%) were dural arteriovenous fistulas (dAVF), and one had developmental venous anomaly (DVA). Six patients of AVM underwent both DSA and CTA, and CTA could correctly diagnose only 2 of 4 pial AVMs detected by DSA. Among two dAVFs detected by DSA, CTA could demonstrate dAVF only in one patient.

Conclusion

CTA could be used as alternative to DSA in diagnosis and characterizing aneurysms in posterior fossa but for AVMs, 3D-CTA cannot replace DSA; however potential of time-resolved CTA (TR-CTA) appears promising.

Spontaneous cerebellar hemorrhage with severe brainstem dysfunction through minimally invasive puncture treatment by locating the simple bedside

This study aims to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of minimally invasive puncture treatment by positioning the simple bedside for spontaneous cerebellar hemorrhage.From January 2017 to March 2018, the investigators applied simple bedside positioning to perform the intracranial hematoma minimally invasive surgery for 21 patients with cerebellar hemorrhage.For these 21 patients, the bleeding amount and Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score before the operation were 18.5 ± 5.0 cc and 9.5 ± 3.3, respectively; 24 hours after the operation, the GCS score was 11.0 ± 4.6. Five patients died within 7 days of the operation and the head computed tomography (CT) was re-examined. It was found that the average bleeding amount was 3.4 ± 0.9 cc, the operation success rate was 76.2%, and the accurate puncture rate was 100%. Six months later, the Modified Rankin Scale (MRS) score was 2.5 ± 2.0. The postoperative recovery was good. The situation shows that patients with favorable outcomes (MRS score 0-2) accounted for 38.1% (8/21), and the fatality rate was 33.3% (7/21).The efficacy of the intracranial hematoma minimally invasive surgery by positioning the simple bedside for spontaneous cerebellar hemorrhage with severe brainstem dysfunction is good.

Predictive factors of neurologic deterioration in patients with spontaneous cerebellar hemorrhage: a retrospective analysis

Background

Cerebellar hemorrhage is a potentially life-threatening condition and neurologic deterioration during hospitalization could lead to severe disability and poor outcome. Finds out the factors influencing neurologic deterioration during hospitalization is essential for clinical decision-making.

Methods

One hundred fifty-five consecutive patients who suffered a first spontaneous cerebellar hemorrhage (SCH) were evaluated in this 10-year retrospective study. This study aimed to identify potential clinical, radiological and clinical scales risk factors for neurologic deterioration during hospitalization and outcome at discharge.

Results

Neurologic deterioration during hospitalization developed in 17.4% (27/155) of the patient cohort. Obliteration of basal cistern (p≦0.001) and hydrocephalus (p≦0.001) on initial brain computed tomography (CT), median Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score at presentation (p≦0.001) and median intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) score (P≦0.001) on admission were significant factors associated with neurologic deterioration. Stepwise logistic regression analysis showed that patients with obliteration of basal cistern on initial brain CT scan had an odds ratio (OR) of 9.17 (p = 0.002; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.026 to 0.455) adjusted risk of neurologic deterioration compared with those without obliteration of basal cistern. An increase of 1 point in the ICH score on admission would increase the neurologic deterioration rate by 83.2% (p = 0.010; 95% CI: 1.153 to 2.912). The ROC curves showed that the AUC for ICH score on presentation was 0.719 (p = 0.000; 95% CI: 0.613–0.826) and the cutoff value was 2.5 (sensitivity 80.5% and specificity 73.7%).

Conclusion

Patients had obliteration of basal cistern on initial brain CT and ICH score greater or equal to 3 at admission implies a greater danger of neurologic deterioration during hospitalization. Cautious clinical assessments and repeated brain images study are mandatory for those high-risk patients to prevent neurologic deterioration during hospitalization.

Detection and Evaluation of Intracranial Aneurysms in the Posterior Fossa by Multidetector Computed Tomography Angiography - Comparison with Digital Subtraction Angiography

Introduction:

Posterior fossa hemorrhages are not so frequent but as posterior cranial fossa space is narrow and has many vital structures, even a small amount of bleed can lead to compression of brain stem and serious consequences. Identification and planning management of cause of bleed requires angiogram. Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) being invasive modality but is gold standard, so noninvasive computed tomography angiography (CTA) is compared to detect cause of bleed in the posterior fossa in this study.

Materials and Methods:

From January 2017 to October 2018, all patients with posterior fossa bleed who underwent CTA and DSA for evaluation were compared regarding identification of aneurysm as cause of bleed.

Results:

A total of 49 patients were evaluated in this study during study duration, of which 26 (53%) were male and 23 (47%) were female. Out of 49 patients evaluated, 47 patients had aneurysms detected on DSA. Of 25 patients who underwent both procedures, 23 patients had aneurysms, and correct diagnosis was made with CTA in 24 out of 25 aneurysms. One aneurysm missed by CTA was close to bony structure.

Discussion:

With advancement of CTA technology, sensitivity of detecting intracranial aneurysms has increased to >96%. The overall sensitivity in detecting aneurysms is 96% with sensitivity in detecting aneurysms >4 mm being 100%. The sensitivity of CTA for smaller sized aneurysms is low which is attributed partially to lower spatial resolution of CT compared to DSA.

Conclusion:

CTA is a simple, fast, and noninvasive imaging modality that can be used to detect and characterize intracranial aneurysms in the posterior fossa.

Increased glycemic variability associated with a poor 30-day functional outcome in acute intracerebral hemorrhage

The authors analyzed the association between the standard deviation or the coefficient of variation in the glucose value, strong independent indexes for determining glycemic variability, and the prognosis of intracerebral hemorrhage. They found that glycemic variability may be associated with a poor outcome in intracerebral hemorrhage.

Related Factors of Early Mortality in Young Adults with Cerebral Hemorrhage

Background

The main causes of intracerebral hemorrhage differ between young adults and older adults. Data regarding potential targets for early intervention in young adult patients with intracerebral hemorrhage are lacking.

Methods

We retrospectively analysed data for 196 young adult patients with intracerebral hemorrhage who were admitted to Tianjin Huanhu Hospital and died within 30 days of admission between June 2005 and June 2015. The Kaplan–Meier method was used to calculate survival rate, and the log-rank test was used to determine survival rate significance. A Cox proportional hazards regression model was used for univariate and multivariate analyses.

Results

Univariate analysis revealed a statistically significant association of age, disturbance of consciousness, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale and Glasgow Coma Scale scores, seizure occurrence, infratentorial hemorrhage, intraventricular extension, hernia, glucose level, white blood cell count, albumin level, creatinine level, uric acid level, and surgical treatment with early mortality (P<0.05). However, multivariate regression analysis revealed that only infratentorial hemorrhage (P=0.003) and intraventricular extension (P=0.003) were significant risk factors for early mortality.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that young adult patients who exhibit infratentorial hemorrhage and intraventricular extension in the early stages of intracerebral hemorrhage onset exhibit an increased risk of early mortality.

Prediction of 30-day mortality in spontaneous cerebellar hemorrhage

Background:

Cerebellar hemorrhage is a potentially life-threatening condition and an understanding of the factors influencing outcome is essential for sound clinical decision-making.

Methods:

We retrospectively evaluated data from 50 consecutive patients who suffered a first spontaneous cerebellar hemorrhage (SCH) from 2005 to 2014, analysing their short-term outcomes and identifying possible clinical, radiological and therapeutic risk factors for poor prognosis and death within 30 days.

Results:

Among 50 patients with first SCH, the mean age was 72 ± 10 years. Median Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score on admission was 11 [interquartile range (IQR) = 7–11]. Among 50 patients, 19 patients (38%) underwent surgical hemorrhage evacuation with placement of an external ventricular drain (EVD), 12 patients (24%) received an EVD only and 19 patients (38%) were treated conservatively. The 30-day mortality rate was 36%. In multivariate analysis only the GCS score on admission was a significant predictor of 30-day mortality [odds ratio (OR) = 0.598; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.406–0.879; P = 0.009]. For prediction of 30-day mortality, receiver operating characteristic curve analysis confirmed that the best cut-off point was a GCS score of 10 on admission [area under the curve: 0.882, 95% CI = 0.717–1, P < 0.001].

Conclusion:

Lower GCS score on admission was associated with increased 30-day mortality and poorer short-term outcome in patients with SCH. For patients with a GCS score <10 on admission, it is important to balance the possibility of survival afforded by further therapy against the formidable risk of significant functional disability and poor quality of life.

Treatment of intracerebellar haemorrhage: Poor outcome and high long-term mortality

Background:

Intracerebellar haemorrhage constitutes around 10% of all spontaneous, non-aneurysmal intracerebral haemorrhages (ICHs) and often carries a grim prognosis. In symptomatic patients, surgical evacuation is usually regarded the standard treatment. Our objective was to compare the in-hospital mortality and functional outcome at hospital discharge in either medically or surgically treated patients, and the impact of either treatment on long-term mortality after a cerebellar ICH.

Methods:

An observational, retrospective, single-centre consecutive series of 114 patients with cerebellar ICH. We assessed the effect of different demographic factors on functional outcome and in-hospital mortality using logistic regression. We also divided the patients in medical and surgical treatment groups based on how they had been treated and compared the clinical and radiological parameters, in-hospital, and long-term mortality in the different groups.

Results:

In our series, 38 patients (33.3%) underwent haematoma evacuation and 76 (66.7%) received medical treatment. Glasgow coma scale <8, blocked quadrigeminal cistern, and severe hydrocephalus were associated with in-hospital death or poor functional outcome at discharge (modified Rankin scale 4-6). Surgically treated patients were younger, had larger haematomas both in volume and diameter, were in a worse clinical condition, and suffered more from hydrocephalus and brainstem compression. There were no statistically significant differences in in-hospital or long-term mortality. However, the surgically treated patients remained in a poor clinical condition.

Conclusions:

Surgical treatment of cerebellar ICH can be life-saving but often leads to a poor functional outcome. New studies are needed on long-term functional outcome after a cerebellar ICH.

Spontaneous Intracerebral Hemorrhage

Although commonly arising from poorly controlled hypertension, spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage may occur secondary to several other etiologies. Clinical presentation to the emergency department ranges from headache with vomiting to coma. In addition to managing the ABCs, the crux of emergency management lies in stopping hematoma expansion and other complications to prevent clinical deterioration. This may be achieved primarily through anticoagulation reversal, blood pressure, empiric management of intracranial pressure, and early neurosurgical consultation for posterior fossa hemorrhage. Patients must be admitted to intensive care. The effects of intracerebral hemorrhage are potentially devastating with very poor prognoses for functional outcome and mortality.

Surgery for Cerebellar Hemorrhage: A National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Database Analysis of Patient Outcomes and Factors Associated with 30-Day Mortality and Prolonged Ventilation

OBJECTIVE

Primary cerebellar hemorrhage accounts for 10% of all intracranial hemorrhages. Given the confined space of the posterior fossa, cerebellar hemorrhage management sometimes necessitates suboccipital decompression and hematoma evacuation. In this study, we examine outcomes after surgery for primary cerebellar hemorrhage and identify risk factors associated with adverse outcomes.

METHODS

A retrospective review of the 2005-2014 American College of Surgeons-National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database was performed, with Current Procedural Terminology Code 61315 (suboccipital craniectomy or craniotomy for evacuation of cerebellar hemorrhage) queried between 2005 and 2014. Patient demographics, preoperative comorbidities, and 30-day outcomes were analyzed. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed to identify predictors of mortality and adverse events.

RESULTS

A total of 158 craniotomies were studied, with a 30-day mortality rate of 26.6%. The most common adverse events included ventilator dependence after 48 hours (48.7%) and pneumonia (24.1%). Almost one quarter (24.7%) of patients required additional operations, with 8.5% of patients undergoing repeat craniotomy. Death was associated with premorbid dependent functional status (P = 0.005), American Society of Anesthesiologists class (P = 0.010), and history of congestive heart failure (P = 0.031). Prolonged ventilation was associated with premorbid functional status (P = 0.043) and ventilator dependence (P = 0.007) before surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Cerebellar hemorrhage is associated with significant risk of mortality and ventilator dependence. In patients who require surgery, 30-day mortality risk remains high (26.6%), with functional status and American Society of Anesthesiologists class predictive of death.

Spontaneous Cerebellar Hematoma: Decision Making in Conscious Adults

OBJECTIVE

To detect predictors of the clinical course and outcome of cerebellar hematoma in conscious patients that may help in decision making.

METHODS

This study entails retrospective and prospective review and collection of the demographic, clinical, and radiologic data of 92 patients with cerebellar hematoma presented conscious and initially treated conservatively. Primary outcome was deterioration lower than a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 14 and secondary outcome was Glasgow Outcome Scale score at discharge and 3 months later. Relevant data to primary outcome were used to create a prediction model and derive a risk score. The model was validated using a bootstrap technique and performance measures of the score were presented. Surgical interventions and secondary outcomes were correlated to the score to explore its use in future decision making.

RESULTS

Demographic and clinical data showed no relevance to outcome. The relevant initial computed tomography criteria were used to build up the prediction model. A score was derived after the model proved to be valid using internal validation with bootstrapping technique. The score (0-6) had a cutoff value of ≥2, with sensitivity of 93.3% and specificity of 88.0%. It was found to have a significant negative association with the onset of neurologic deterioration, end point Glasgow Coma Scale scores and the Glasgow Outcome Scale scores at discharge. The score was positively correlated to the aggressiveness of surgical interventions and the length of hospital stay.

CONCLUSIONS

Early definitive management is critical in conscious patients with cerebellar hematomas and can improve outcome. Our proposed score is a simple tool with high discrimination power that may help in timely decision making in those patients.