Overview of Intracerebral Hemorrhage

Abstract

Stroke is categorized into two major subtypes i.e., ischemic and hemorrhagic and is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Primary intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), i.e. spontaneous extravasation of blood into the brain parenchyma, begins very suddenly and is a medical catastrophe. The well-known risk factors for ICH are hypertension, heavy drinking of alcohol, and anticoagulant medication. Risk factors for early death include clinical and radiological severity of the bleeding. Moreover, intraventricular bleeding, use of anticoagulants, and high blood pressure on admission also predict early death after ICH. CT brain imaging is the immediate modality for establishing diagnosis and supplemented with MR imaging depending upon aetiology. Treatment of patients with ICH includes standard supportive care, medical management and surgical intervention.