The prognostic value of the CT scan in conservatively treated patients with intracerebral hematoma.

Abstract

Prognostic factors for survival and neurological recovery were assessed in 42 patients with nontraumatic intracerebral hematoma (ICH) diagnosed by CT scan. None underwent surgical evacuation of hematoma. CT scans were used to determine location and volume of ICH and presence or absence of intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH). Only 11 patients (26%) died and 17 patients (40.5%) recovered fully. Mortality was associated with: 1) loss of consciousness as a presenting symptom (63.5% mortality rate versus 13% when there was no loss of consciousness at the onset; p less than 0.01). 2) extension of the bleeding into the ventricular system (45% mortality rate versus 9% when hemorrhages were confined to brain parenchyma; p less than 0.01). 3) location of hematoma in the posterior fossa (mortality rate of 43% versus 23% for intrahemispheric hematomas). Mortality was unaffected by age of patients and size of ICH. Full neurological and functional recovery occurred mainly when estimated volume of hematomas was less than 15 cc and with lobar hematomas regardless of size. In survivors there is CT evidence of complete resolution of ICH. Our data indicates a favourable outcome in a relatively large percentage of patients with ICH treated conservatively and therefore questions the need for surgical evacuation of hematoma.