Incidence and prognostic significance of fever following intracerebral hemorrhage

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the incidence and prognostic significance of fever on presentation and during the subsequent 72 hours in patients with spontaneous supratentorial intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). METHODS: We analyzed 251 patients. On admission, body temperature, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score, age, sex, blood pressure, blood glucose level, and presumed origin of hemorrhage were analyzed. From the initial CT scan, hematoma volume, location, and presence of intraventricular hemorrhage were determined. From the first 72 hours, hematoma enlargement, duration of increased temperatures, blood pressure, and blood glucose level were determined. Outcome was classified on discharge with the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) score. RESULTS: Outcomes included no symptoms in 23 (9%), moderate disability in 64 (26%), severe disability in 104 (41%), vegetative state in 5 (2%), and death in 55 (22%) patients. Prognostic factors retained from a logistic regression model with a dichotomized GOS scale (GOS score of 1 or 2 versus GOS score of 3 to 5) as response variables were GCS score of 7 or less, age older than 75 years, hematoma volume of more than 60 cm3, ventricular hemorrhage, and presence of a coagulation disorder (p < 0.05). Fever was associated with intraventricular hemorrhage. From 196 patients, data from the first 72 hours were analyzed. A total of 18 patients (9%) had normal temperatures throughout the study. The duration of fever (> or =37.5 degrees C) was less than 24 hours in 66 (34%), 24 to 48 hours in 70 (36%), and more than 48 hours in 42 patients (21%). Independent prognostic factors during the first 72 hours were duration of fever, secondary hemorrhage, GCS score of 7 or less, ventricular hemorrhage, hematoma volume of more than 60 cm3, duration of increased blood pressure of more than 48 hours, and duration of increased blood glucose of more than 48 hours. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of fever after supratentorial ICH is high, especially in patients with ventricular hemorrhage. In patients surviving the first 72 hours after hospital admission, the duration of fever is associated with poor outcome and seems to be an independent prognostic factor in these patients.     

神经内镜锁孔入路与传统开颅术治疗颅内血肿的对比研究

目的研究评价神经内镜锁孔入路清除颅内血肿的临床疗效及安全性。方法回顾性分析21例颅内出血患者采用神经内镜治疗的临床资料,另随机选择同期30例采用传统开颅显微镜下血肿清除术治疗颅内血肿患者作为对照组。以病死率、血肿量,血肿清除率、感染率、GCS评分、mRS评分、GOS评分等作为疗效指标。结果神经内镜组血肿清除率明显高于传统手术治疗组,两组差异具有明显统计学意义,且神经内镜组术后感染率低于对照组。两组在病死率、GOS评分、出院时GCS评分、6个月mRS评分方面差异均无统计学意义。而神经内镜组患者术后恢复良好率(GOS≥4)明显高于对照组,差异具有统计学意义。结论神经内镜经锁孔入路治疗颅内血肿临床疗效满意,具有较高的血肿清除率,明显降低术后感染发生率,显著提高患者术后的神经功能恢复。     

Minimally invasive stereotactic puncture and thrombolysis therapy improves long-term outcome after acute intracerebral hemorrhage

The purpose of this study was to judge the clinical value of minimally invasive stereotactic puncture and thrombolysis therapy (MISPTT) for acute intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). A randomized control clinical trial was undertaken. According to the enrollment criteria, 122 acute ICH cases were analyzed, of which 64 cases received MISPTT (MISPTT group, MG) and 58 cases received conventional craniotomy (CC group, CG). The Glasgow coma scale (GCS) scores, postoperative complications (PC), and rebleeding incidences were compared. Moreover, 1 year postoperation, the long-term outcomes of patients with regard to hematoma volume (HV) <50 mL and HV ≥50 mL were judged, respectively, by the Glasgow outcome scale (GOS), Barthel index (BI), modified Rankin Scale (mRS), and case fatality (CF). MG patients showed obvious amelioration in GCS score compared with that of CG patients. The total incidence of PC in MG decreased compared with that of CG. The incidences of rebleeding in MG and CG were 9.4 and 17.2%, respectively (P = 0.243). There were no obvious differences between the CFs of MG and CG (17.2 and 25.9%, respectively, P = 0.199). The GOS, BI, and mRS representing long-term outcome for both HV <50 mL and HV ≥50 mL in MG were ameliorated significantly greater than that in CG patients (all P < 0.05). These data suggest that there are advantages with MISPTT not only in trauma and safety, but the MISPTT group had fewer complications and a trend toward improved short-term and long-term outcomes.     

Spontaneous supratentorial intracerebral hemorrhage: Does surgery benefit comatose patients?

Introduction:

Treatment of spontaneous supratentorial intracerebral hemorrhage (SICH) is still controversial. We therefore analyzed the comatose patients diagnosed as having spontaneous SICH and treated by surgery.

Materials and Methods:

We retrospectively analyzed the collected data of 25 comatose patients with initial Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) ≤ 8 diagnosed as having spontaneous SICH and they had been treated by surgical evacuation between 1996 and 2008. The outcome was assessed using Glasgow outcome scale (GOS). The side and location of the hematoma and ventricular extension of the hematoma were recorded. The hematoma volume was graded as mild (<30 cc), moderate (30–60 cc) and massive (>60 cc).

Results:

Age of the patients ranged from 25 to 78 years (mean: 59.6 ± 15.14 years). Among the 25 patients studied, 11 (44%) were females and 14 (56%) were males. GCS before surgery was <5 in 8 (32%) patients and between 5 and 8 in 17 (68%) patients. The hematoma volume was less than 30 cc in 2 patients, between 30 and 60 cc in 9 patients and more than 60 cc in 14 patients. Fourteen of the patients had no ventricular connection and 11 of the hematomas were connected to ventricle. All the 25 patients were treated with craniotomy and evacuation of the hematoma was done within an average of 2 hours on admission to the emergency department. Postoperatively, no rebleeding occurred in our patients. The most important complication was infection in 14 of the patients. The mortality of our surgical series was 56%. GCS before surgery was one of the strongest factors affecting outcome GCS (oGCS) (P = 0.017). Income GCS (iGCS), however, did not affect GOS (P = 0.64). The volume of the hematoma also affected the outcome (P = 0.037). Ventricular extension of the hematoma did affect the oGCS and GOS (P = 0.002), but not the iGCS of the patients (P = 0.139).

Conclusion:

Our data suggest that being surgically oriented is very important to achieve successful outcomes in a select group of patients with SICH.     

基底节区高血压脑出血不同微创手术方式的比较

目的 比较三种微创手术方式治疗基底节区高血压脑出血的临床疗效及预后情况.方法 选择GCS在6～12分,原发出血部位均为基底节的高血压脑出血患者78例,分为三组,分别采取神经内镜下血肿清除(神经内镜组)、小骨窗开颅显微手术(小骨窗开颅组)、立体定向血肿碎吸术(立体定向组)三种手术方式;比较三组手术时间和术中失血量;术后2 d内复查CT,计算残余血肿量和血肿清除率;术后6个月按GOS预后评分评估治疗效果.结果 手术时间以小骨窗开颅组最长,达(175.7±55.7)min(P<0.05);术中失血量以小骨窗开颅组较其他两组显著增多(P<0.05),达(296.5±158.6)mL;血肿清除率以神经内镜组最高,达84.5%±8.2%(P<0.05);GOS预后比较中神经内镜组的疗效显著高于立体定向组和小骨窗开颅组(P<0.05).结论 神经内镜辅助下血肿清除术既有创伤小,又有血肿清除彻底、止血可靠的优点,疗效确切,对不需行去大骨瓣减压的脑出血患者是一种较理想的微创手术方式.     

Glasgow Coma Scale on admission is correlated with postoperative Glasgow Outcome Scale in chronic subdural hematoma

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the correlation between admission Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) and Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) in chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH). METHODS: 128 consecutive patients (107 men and 21 women) with CSDH were studied and the correlation between GCS on admission and postoperative GOS was determined. RESULTS: GCS and GOS were correlated with a Spearman rank correlation coefficient of 0.557 (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: GCS and GOS are well-correlated in CSDH.     

Traumatic brain stem lesions in children

Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores on admission may be predictors of outcome in patients with brain injuries. This study correlated the outcomes of children with traumatic brain stem lesions with their initial GCS scores and morphological patterns of injury as shown on computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. During the last 16 years, we have treated 1,108 children with brain injuries. The entire series included only 21 (1.9%) children who had clinical signs of brain stem lesions with morphological correlates on CT or MR imaging. Clinical findings were assessed according to the GCS and compared with scores on the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS). Of these 21 children, 16 (76%) had morphological lesions seen on CT scans. In 5 (24%) of the children only the MR images revealed brain stem lesions and their CT scans were negative. Generalized severe brain swelling was present in 6 cases (28%). There was a significant difference in GOS scores between patients with initial GCS scores of 3 and 4 and those with GCS scores between 5 and 7 (P<0.02). Children with intracranial pressure higher than 40 mmHg had poorer outcomes than patients whose intracranial pressure was lower, but the differences were not significant. Outcome did not correlate significantly with morphological patterns of injury or the presence of extracranial injuries. The GCS is a reliable indicator of severity of injury and of outcome in children with brain stem injuries. MR imaging was more sensitive than CT in detecting brain stem lesions. Received: 9 March 1999     

Pattern of cerebellar perfusion on single photon emission computed tomography in subcortical hematoma: a clinical and computed tomography correlation

Background: There is paucity of studies evaluating the role of asymmetry index (AI) on single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) studies in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Aim: To evaluate cerebellar perfusion in ICH employing SPECT study and correlate with clinical and CT scan findings. Setting and Design: Tertiary care teaching hospital. Materials and Methods: A total of 29 patients with ICH were subjected to neurological examination including Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) and Canadian Neurological Stroke Scale (CNS). Clinical features of raised intracranial pressure and herniation were noted. On CT scan, ICH location, volume, ventricular extension and midline (ML) shift were noted. On SPECT, cerebral and cerebellar perfusion was measured semiquantitatively and AI calculated. Outcome was defined at 3 months into poor and good. Results: Fourteen patients had putaminal and 15 thalamic hemorrhages. Their mean age was 59 years. The mean GCS score was 10 and CNS score 2.8. Hematoma was large in five, medium in 16 and small in eight patients. ML shift was present in 15 and hematoma extended to ventricule in 16 patients. On SPECT, cerebellar AI significantly related to ML shift but not with size of hematoma. AI was low in patients with ML shift. Outcome was related to GCS score, ML shift, size of hematoma and cerebellar AI. Conclusion: In acute stage of ICH, cerebellar AI is lower in patients with more severe stroke having ML shift.     

Simultaneous multiple hypertensive intracranial hemorrhages

We retrospectively reviewed the clinical and radiological findings, management, and factors correlated with outcomes in 20 patients with simultaneous multiple hypertensive intracranial hemorrhages (ICH). The mean admission Glasgow Coma Scale score was 7.8. The most common hematoma location was the putamen, while putamen-brainstem hematomas were the most common combination. The mean hematoma volume was 27.5 mL. Eight patients had favorable outcomes and 12 had poor outcomes. Statistical analysis identified that the GCS score on admission, hematoma distribution (unilateral supratentorial hematomas were the most favorable), and total hematoma volume were prognostic factors. This study provides important information on the clinicoradiological findings and prognosis in patients with simultaneous multiple hypertensive ICH.     

Clinical discriminators of lobar and deep hemorrhages: the Stroke Data Bank.

Of the 1,805 patients with acute stroke enrolled in the Stroke Data Bank, 237 had parenchymatous hemorrhage. After excluding 34 secondary intracerebral and 31 infratentorial hemorrhage patients, a logistic regression analysis of the 172 patients with primary supratentorial intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) elucidated clinical factors that distinguished the 65 patients with lobar hemorrhage (LH) from the 107 patients with deep hemorrhage (DH) located in the basal ganglia and thalamus. In LH, severe headache was more common than in DH, while hypertension and motor deficit were significantly less common. Patients with either LH or DH had a similar prognosis and mean Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores, despite the hematoma volume measured on the initial CT being significantly greater for LH than DH. The presence of intraventricular extension (IVH) was more frequent in DH. The frequency of IVH increased with hematoma volume in LH, but remained constant for DH. Two CT variables (IVH and hematoma volume) that differed in these two hemorrhage groups were important predictors of coma (GCS less than or equal to 8) in a logistic regression model. Differences in the frequency of IVH may help explain why the degree of impairment in consciousness was similar in the two groups. Among patients with supratentorial ICH, location of the hematoma is related to both volume and IVH, which are important determinants of the level of consciousness.     

Glasgow昏迷量表在高血压性脑出血急救策略选择中的作用

目的探讨入院时Glasgow昏迷量表(GCS)评分对高血压性脑出血患者急救策略的影响。方法共286例高血压性脑出血患者中186例接受手术治疗,包括GCS评分5~8分94例、9~11分71例和12~14分21例,分别予血肿清除术联合去骨瓣减压术(63例,22.03%)、单纯血肿清除术(21例,7.34%)和血肿钻孔引流术或脑室外引流术(102例,35.66%);100例接受保守治疗,包括GCS评分5~8分25例、9~11分27例、12~14分25例和15分23例。随访3~6个月,采用Glasgow预后分级(GOS)评价疗效。结果 GCS评分5~8分组失访6例(5.04%),GOS分级1级14例(11.76%)、2级21例(17.65%)、3级39例(32.77%)、4级22例(18.49%)、5级17例(14.29%);GCS评分9~11分组失访2例(2.04%),GOS分级1级6例(6.12%)、2级2例(2.04%)、3级6例(6.12%)、4级48例(48.98%)、5级34例(34.69%);GCS评分12~14组GOS分级4级15例(32.61%)、5级31例(67.39%);GCS评分15分组GOS分级4级1例(4.35%)、5级22例(95.65%),组间差异具有统计学意义(χ~2=142.966,P=0.000)。结论高血压性脑出血患者入院时GCS评分与其预后呈正相关,GCS评分越高、GOS分级越高。     

Surgery for patients with severe supratentorial intracerebral hemorrhage

Introduction  Little information is available on the efficacy of aggressive treatment such as surgery in improving the outcome of severely affected patients after supratentorial intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Our objective was to assess the effect of hematoma removal and ventricular drainage on the mortality of patients with severe primary supratentorial ICH. Methods  We studied 103 consecutive patients who were admitted to the intensive care unit and diagnosed with primary supratentorial ICH. The impacts of clinical factors on 30-day mortality were assessed, including surgery, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score and pupillary abnormality at admission, hematoma volume, and other related factors. Results  The 30-day mortality rate was 42%, and the median time between admission and death was 3 days (range: 1 to 27 days). Hematoma removal and ventricular drainage, within the first 24 hours of admission, were performed on 11 and 17 patients, respectively. Two patients who were treated with removal and four with drainage died. A logistic regression model for predicting 30-day mortality was performed. After controlling for GCS score, pupillary abnormality, hydrocephalus, and hematoma volume, hematoma removal was identified as an independent predictor of survival (odds ratio [OR], 0.12; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.02 to 0.92). Ventricular drainage also tended to decrease mortality rate greatly (OR, 0.31; 95% CI, 0.06 to 1.76). Patients with GCS scores of 3 or 4 were 4.01 times more likely to die (95% CI, 1.13 to 14.26) than those with GCS of at least 5. Conclusions  Hematoma removal may reduce the mortality rate of patients with severe supratentorial ICH.     

Initial experience with minimally invasive endoscopic evacuation of intracerebral hemorrhage in the setting of radiographic herniation

BackgroundSpontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) can rapidly result in cerebral herniation, leading to poor neurologic outcomes or mortality. To date, neither decompressive hemicraniectomy (DH) nor hematoma evacuation have been conclusively shown to improve outcomes for comatose ICH patients presenting with cerebral herniation, with these patients largely excluded from clinical trials. Here we present the outcomes of a series of patients presenting with ICH and radiographic herniation who underwent emergent minimally invasive (MIS) ICH evacuation.MethodsWe reviewed our prospectively collected registry of patients undergoing MIS ICH evacuation at a single institution from 01/01/2017 to 10/01/2021. We selected all consecutive patients with Glasgow coma scale (GCS) ≤ 8 and radiographic herniation for this case series. Clinical and radiographic variables were collected, including admission GCS score, preoperative and postoperative hematoma volumes, National Institute of Health stroke scale (NIHSS) scores, and modified Rankin scale (mRS) scores at last follow-up.ResultsOf 176 patients with spontaneous supratentorial ICH who underwent minimally invasive endoscopic evacuation during the study time period, a total of 9 patients presented with GCS ≤ 8 and evidence of radiographic herniation. Among these patients, the mean age was 62 ± 12 years, the median GCS at presentation was 5 [IQR 4-6], the mean preoperative hematoma volume was 94 ± 44 mL, the mean time from ictus to evacuation was 12 ± 5 h, and the mean postoperative hematoma volume was 11 ± 16 mL, for a median evacuation percentage of 97% [83-99]. Three patients (33%) died, four (44%) survived with mRS 5 and two (22%) with mRS 4. Patients had a median NIHSS improvement of 5 compared to their initial NIHSS. Age was very strongly correlate to improvements in NIHSS (r² = 0.90).ConclusionData from this initial experience suggest emergent MIS hematoma evacuation in the setting of ICH with radiographic herniation is feasible and technically effective. Further randomized studies are required to determine if such an intervention offers overall benefits to patients and their families.     

Correlation of a high D-dimer level with poor outcome in traumatic intracranial hemorrhage

The correlations between D-dimer and Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), pupillary light reflex, distance of midline shift on brain computed tomography (CT), and Glasgow Outcome Score (GOS) in patients with trauma/non-trauma intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) are not consistent in studies. Ninety-eight traumatic and 59 non-traumatic ICH patients were studied. Pre-existing venous thrombosis, recent surgery, drug use (aspirin or coumadin), or malignancy, were excluded. D-dimer level was estimated within hours after acute insult, and statistical analyses were used for comparisons between groups. Traumatic ICH patients had higher D-dimer levels than controls (2984 vs. 256  μ g/l; P  = 0.001). The GCS, midline shift on brain CT, pupillary reflex, and GOS at 3 months were significantly correlated with high D-dimer value in traumatic patients (individual P  < 0.001), but not in the non-traumatic group. Using receiver-operating characteristic curve (ROC), the cutoff point was 1496  μ g/l, with sensitivity and specificity of 100% and 83%, respectively. D-dimer ≥1496  μ g/l predicted a poor outcome [adjusted odds ratio (OR) 14.44, 95% CI 1.16–179.27; P  = 0.038]. A high D-dimer level is associated with a poor outcome in patients with traumatic ICH. It can be used in addition to neurological assessment to predict the outcome.     

Stereotactic Multiplanar Reformatted Computed Tomography-Guided Catheter Placement and Thrombolysis of Spontaneous Intracerebral Hematomas

Objective

The authors present their experiences with stereotactic multiplanar reformatted (MPR) computed tomography (CT)-guided catheter placement for thrombolysis of spontaneous intracerebral hematoma (sICH) and their clinical results.

Methods

In 23 patients with sICH, MPR CT-guided catheter placement was used to select the trajectory and target point of hematoma drainage. This group was comprised of 11 men and 12 women, and the mean age was 57.5 years (range, 31-79 years). The patients'' initial Glasgow Coma Scale scores ranged from 7 to 15 with a median of 11. The volume of the hematoma ranged from 24 mL to 86 mL (mean 44.5 mL). A trajectory along the main axis of the hematoma was considered to be optimal for thrombolytic therapy. The trajectory was calculated from the point of entry through the target point of the hematoma using reformatted images.

Results

The hematoma catheter was left in place for a median duration of 48.9 hours (range 34 to 62 hours). In an average of two days, the average residual hematoma volume was 6.2 mL (range 1.4 mL to 10.2 mL) and was reduced by an average of 84.7% (range 71.6% to 96.3%). The residual hematoma at postoperative seven days was less than 5 mL in all patients. There was no treatment-related death during hospitalization.

Conclusion

The present study indicates that stereotactic MPR CT-guided catheter placement for thrombolysis is an accurate and safe procedure. We suggest that this procedure for stereotactic removal of sICH should be considered for the optimization of the trajectory selection in the future.     

The Westmead head injury project: Outcome prediction in acute subdural haematoma

A prospective two year study of a consecutive sample of patients with an acute subdural haematoma who were admitted to Westmead Hospital, New South Wales, Australia was undertaken. There were 103 patients with an acute subdural haematoma admitted in the period. Twenty-four of these scored 9 or greater on the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) and of these all made a functional recovery, i.e. Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS 1 or 2). The remaining 79 patients scored 8 or less on admission and of these 30% made a functional recovery. Of the 70% remaining, 4% were moderately or severely disabled (GOS 3 or 4) while 66% died (GOS 5). Age, hypoxia, hypotension, response to intracranial pressure control and two CT scan features, midline shift as measured from the septum pellucidum and cerebral oedema, were all significant in predicting outcome. Time from injury to treatment, initial pupil response, lucid interval and compression of brainstem cisterns on CT scans statistically failed to predict outcome. The data were analysed using logistic regression which showed age and midline shift to predict death or disability with an accuracy of 80% at twelve months after the injury (sensitivity 58%, specificity 89%).     

Frame-based and frameless stereotactic hematoma puncture and subsequent fibrinolytic therapy for the treatment of spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage

Abstract Objectives Comparison of two minimally invasive procedures for the treatment of intracerebral hemorrhage and subsequent lysis with regard to technical implications and clinical outcome of the patients. Methods Retrospective analysis of 126 patients with spontaneous supratentorial intracerebral hemorrhage treated by frame-based (n=53) or frameless (n=75) hematoma aspiration and subsequent fibrinolysis with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA). Data were analysed for the whole group as well as for the two subsets of patients with regard to hematoma reduction, procedure-related complications, and the early and long term clinical outcome of the patients. Functional outcome was rated using the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) and Barthel-Index (median follow-up 178 weeks). The prognostic impact of patient related covariates on the GOS was analysed using logistic regression analysis. Results 49 out of 126 patients (38.9 %) died, 25 of them in the early postoperative period. Only 22/126 (17.5 %) had a favorable long term outcome (GOS >3). Age > 65 years was significantly (p<0.03, OR 3.6) associated with a higher risk for an unfavorable long term outcome (GOS 3). Treatment had no impact on outcome. Both techniques were highly effective in reducing the intracerebral blood volume by 75.8±21.4% of the initial hematoma volume in frame-based and 64.8±25.4 % in frameless stereotaxy within 2 days of rt-PA-therapy. Malpositioning of the catheter occurred more often in the frameless group (21.3% vs. 9.4 % in the frame-based procedure) without gaining statistical significance. Conclusions Frame-based and frameless stereotactic hematoma aspirations with subsequent fibrinolysis are effective in volume reduction of intracerebral hemorrhage with comparable clinical outcome. The frameless procedure is associated with a higher risk for malpositioning of the catheter. Despite effective hematoma reduction with both techniques, the percentage of patients with a good clinical outcome remained limited especially in the elder subpopulation.     

外伤后急性半球脑肿胀的手术治疗

目的 探讨外伤后急性大脑半球肿胀（ACHS）的治疗效果以及影响疗效的主要因素.方法 对38例外伤后急性半球脑肿胀病人的资料进行回顾性分析.所有患者均接受了去骨瓣减压手术.结果 大骨瓣减压术后,CT影像显示脑中线结构无明显移位、环池结构清晰.术后6个月按GOS评分标准评估：良好14例（占36.8%）、中残9例（占23.7%）、重残5例（占13.2%）、植物生存4例（占10.5%）、死亡6例（占15.8%）.结论 早期去骨瓣减压手术可改善患者预后,而脑肿胀合并急性硬膜下血肿、手术后出血性脑挫伤处血肿量明显增加以及出现创伤后大面积脑梗死的患者预后较差.     

Stereotactic aspiration of intracerebral haematoma: significance of surgical timing and haematoma volume reduction.

We reviewed 63 patients with primary intracerebral haemorrhage (PICH) in basal ganglia treated by computed tomography (CT)-guided stereotactic aspiration to evaluate the impact of surgical timing and degree of haematoma volume reduction on neurological outcome evaluated with Glasgow Outcome Score (GOS). In 19 patients operation was performed within 24h from the symptom onset with more than 60% of haematoma volume reduction. At 3 weeks 11 patients (58%) achieved a favorable outcome (GOS 4 or 5). In the other 44 patients only 10 (23%) recovered to GOS 4 or 5. These differences were statistically significant. At 6 months a still larger proportion of patients with early radical decompression showed favorable outcome, however, the difference was not statistically significant. The results demonstrate that early and radical stereotactic aspiration provided a better neurological outcome at the early recovery phase, though the beneficial effect on the final outcome was not significant statistically.     

Frameless stereotactic aspiration and thrombolysis of deep intracerebral hemorrhage is associated with reduction of hemorrhage volume and neurological improvement

Introduction: This ia a phase-2 safety trial to demonstrate the ability of frameless stereotactic aspiration and thrombolysis of ICH to safely remove blood. Methods: Patients with ICH in the deep basal ganglia and internal capsule of >5 cc volume were consented to undergo computed tomographic imaging for frameless stereotactic guidance registration. Using the frameless stereotactic (CT) guidance, a 4-mm diameter catheter was inserted into the body of the hematoma using a frontal burr hole approach. The catheter was aspirated and then flushed with saline and aspirated to remove unclotted blood. After a confirmatory CT scan to localize the catheter, 1 mg of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) was infused into the clot, permitted to bathe the clot for 30 minutes, and then drained into a closed circuit collection system. t-PA was infused every 8 hours for 48 hours. A follow up CT scan was obtained at 48 hours. Results: 28 patients with ICH (mean age 67.1) were admitted and underwent the procedure. Mean initial ICH volume was 54.6 cc ± 37.8. Mean time from onset to aspiration was 44 hours (range 7–180). Mean initial NIH Stroke scale (NIHSS) score was 24 (range 15–33). Compared with initial CT scan, there was a mean reduction of ICH volume by 77 ± 13% on final CT scan (p<0.0002). Compared with initial NIHSS, the discharge mean NIHSS (16 ± 6) was significantly improved (p<0.001). There were no infectious, hemodynamic or neurologic complications. There were no episodes of symptomatic hemorrhagic enlargement and one case of asymptomatic bleeding along the catheter tract. Conclusion: Frameless stereotactic aspiration and thrombolysis (FAST) of deep spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage is a safe therapy that is associated with reduction in ICH volume, early improvement in NIHSS and potentially could be used to improve outcome.