Neurosurgical treatment of spontaneous intracerebral haematomas

There have been 34 patients with spontaneous intracerebral haematomas (ICH) operated, from the 1st January 2002. Yr to the 31st December 2002. Yr., at the Neurosurgical Department of Trauma Centre (Clinical Centre of Serbia). They all were with the serious disturbance of consciousness. For all these patients, indication for operation was established according to CT findings, state of consciousness, defined Glasgow Coma Score (GCS) and neurological state. Due to the established incarceration or its risk, none of these patients had angiography, so preoperatively we didn't know the reason of bleeding. From 34 operated patients, 22 or 64.7% died and 12 or 35.3% survived. There were 14 patients in the deepest state of coma, where preoperatively GCS score was 3 to 5. Only one patient age 25 survived postoperatively. Other survivors have less disturbed state of consciousness, CT findings without intraventricular bleeding and were also in younger age group.     

Neurosurgical treatment of traumatic intracerebral hematoma

From January 1st to August 31st 2002 yr., Neurosurgical department of the Trauma Center, Clinical Center of Serbia, has operated 43 patients with posttraumatic intracerebral haemathoma (PTIH). From that number, 9 patients survived and 34 died. Only 4 patients with acute PTIH were in terminal state of incarceration and in spite they were operated immediately, all died. Other 39 patients have delayed PTIH where secondary CT cerebral scans showed the development of posttraumatic intracerebral haematoma that has not been verified at the incipient scanner. Indication for repeated CT scan was found for 19 patients for their focal or general neurological deterioration. 20 patients had no delayed neurological disturbances. Survivors were younger, in lower grade of coma and were mostly with temporal localisation of haemathoma.     

Intracerebral hemorrhage and Moyamoya disease in pregnancy

PURPOSE: To present a case of Moyamoya disease with intracranial hemorrhage complicating pregnancy. CLINICAL FEATURES: A 36-yr-old parturient at 34 wk gestation presented with left hemiparesis, headache, nausea and vomiting. Subsequent deterioration in level of consciousness and the development of a dilated right pupil necessitated immediate intubation. Urgent non-contrast CT scan revealed a large right intracerebral hematoma with transtentorial herniation. The patient underwent simultaneous emergency Cesarean section and craniotomy. A postoperative angiogram revealed findings consistent with Moyamoya disease. The neonate survived but the patient developed severe cerebral edema and died eleven days postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Adult patients with Moyamoya disease often present with intracranial hemorrhage which poses unique anesthetic challenges. We report a case of intracerebral hemorrhage during pregnancy, which is known to be associated with high morbidity and mortality. The anesthetic techniques are reviewed and discussed.     

Grading and operative indication for hypertensive cerebellar hemorrhage

Fifty six patients with hypertensive cerebellar hemorrhage diagnosed by CT scan were hospitalized from November 1976 up to June 1984. The 35 male and 21 female patients ranged in age from 24 to 84 years, and 39 of them were operated on. The important factors related to prognosis of cerebellar hemorrhage were level of consciousness, size of hematoma on CT scan, and massive ventricular hemorrhage resulting in obstruction of the ventricular system. We classified the patient with cerebellar hemorrhage into 5 grades, according to the severity of these factors. Grade I indicates cerebellar signs without disturbance of consciousness and size of hematoma less than 25 mm measured by CT scan. Grade II indicates disturbance of consciousness (stupor), or progressive neurological deficits, and size of hematoma less than 50 mm without acute hydrocephalus. Grade III reveals disturbance of consciousness (stupor-semicoma), and size of hematoma less than 50 mm with acute hydrocephalus. Grade IV reveals severe disturbance of consciousness (semicoma), and size of hematoma less than 50 mm with massive ventricular hemorrhage. Grade V exhibits deep coma, and more than 50 mm diameter of hematoma. The prognosis of all of 9 patients in Grade I was good, Eleven out of 13 patients (85%) in Grade II and all of 9 patients in Grade III were alive. Fourteen out of 19 patients (74%) in Grade IV and all of 6 patients in Grade V expired in spite of operation. The patients of Grade I should be treated by conservative therapy. The patients of Grade II, Grade III, and Grade IV should be managed surgically. Surgical treatment for Grade V is not advisable.     

Value of skull radiography, head computed tomographic scanning, and admission for observation in cases of minor head injury

A retrospective review of 373 adult patients admitted to Harbor General Hospital between 1980 and 1984 for minor closed head injury (Glasgow coma scale 13-15) was performed to determine the benefits of skull radiography, computed tomographic (CT) scanning of the head, and admission for observation. Variables reviewed were mental status, neurological examination, presence or absence of loss of consciousness, clinical evidence of basilar skull fracture, and fracture on skull radiography. The neurological examination (including mental status and Glasgow coma scale) in the emergency room was the best predictor of subsequent deterioration or the presence of an operative hematoma. The only patients with Glasgow coma scale scores of 15 who required surgical evacuation of an extraaxial hematoma had focal neurological deficits referable to hemispheric compression, with or without an abnormal mental status. A Glasgow coma scale score of 13 or 14 places the patient at risk either of having a hematoma requiring surgery or of deteriorating. We recommend that a head CT scan be obtained on all patients with Glasgow coma scale scores of less than 15, abnormal mental status, or hemispheric neurological deficits. If no operative lesion is found on the CT scan, the patient should be admitted for observation because there is still a risk of deterioration. Those with a Glasgow coma scale score of 15, a normal mental status, and no hemispheric neurological deficit may be discharged to be observed at home by a competent observer despite basilar or calvarial skull fracture, loss of consciousness, or cranial nerve deficit. No benefit was gained from skull radiography in any group.     

Neurogenic gastrointestinal hemorrhage in hypertensive cerebral hemorrhage

The purpose of this paper is to obtain the correlation between CT scan findings and neurogenic gastrointestinal bleeding in hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage. Fifty patients with hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage were operated upon during past nearly 3 years in our clinic. Of these, 27 patients (54%) showed macroscopic gastrointestinal bleeding (GI-bleeding) demonstrated by stomach catheter after the onset of hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage. GI-bleeding was about 46% in the survived patients and about 77% in the expired ones. Most patients revealed neurogenic GI-bleeding within 9 days (85.2%) and more than half of the cases (51.9%) in 4 to 6 days after the onset. Neurogenic GI-bleeding was frequently complicated in patients with disturbed consciousness, over 60 gram hematoma (particularly 60-80 gram hematomas), severe ventricular hemorrhage and right-sided hematomas. It was also exclusively observed in patients with extension of hemorrhage into the midbrain and recurring hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage.     

Stereotactic evacuation of hypertensive cerebellar hemorrhage using plasminogen activator

Treatment for hypertensive cerebellar hemorrhage still remains controversial as to whether direct surgical procedure is indicated or not. This is so even after the introduction of CT scan which easily demonstrates the location and size of the hematoma and the presence of hydrocephalus. In this paper, we present our experience of 20 patients with cerebellar hemorrhage treated by stereotactic evacuation using Komai's CT-stereotactic apparatus. All the patients had vertigo, cerebellar symptoms, dysfunction of brain stem or consciousness disturbance. The hematomas on CT scan were more than 28 mm in diameter. Acute obstructive hydrocephalus occurred in 90% of the patients with hematoma 40 mm or larger in size. The patients with consciousness disturbance were immediately operated on after the attack, and a drainage tube was placed in the hematoma cavity to drain cerebrospinal fluid and liquefied hematoma for one to eight days. On the other hand, when patients with hematoma around 30 mm in diameter complained vertigo for about two weeks, they also were operated on stereotactically. After the operation, their symptoms improved rapidly. The stereotactic operation could aspirate about 85% of the estimated hematoma volume and improved the hydrocephalus, except in one case in which the patient rapidly deteriorated to coma level with a large cerebellar hemorrhage and brain stem damage. This stereotactic evacuation of cerebellar hematoma using a plasminogen activator is effective for not only the removal of hematoma, but also for the treatment of secondary hydrocephalus following obstruction of the fourth ventricle by cerebellar hemorrhage.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

高血压脑出血的微侵袭治疗

目的探讨高血压脑出血的术式选择策略及功能保护技巧。方法回顾性分析75例高血压脑出血手术治疗病例,其中传统骨瓣开颅31例;直切口小骨窗开颅19例;立体定向血肿穿刺引流25例。结果血肿完全清除18例,近全清除57例,术后1个月以内死亡5例（6.7%）。71例随访6～30个月,按ADL分级Ⅰ级15例（21.1%）,Ⅱ级20例（28.2%）,Ⅲ级21例（29.6%）,Ⅳ级10例（14.1%）,Ⅴ级5例（7.0%）。结论应根据术前病情分级、血肿CT分型、患者年龄等因素合理选择不同的手术方式。显微镜下微侵袭操作,三种手术方法均创伤小,术后神经功能恢复好且快。     

Early diagnosis of delayed posttraumatic intracerebral hematomas.

Nine cases of delayed posttraumatic intracerebral hematomas (DTICH) were found retrospectively among 656 patients with closed head injuries admitted to the Hennepin County Medical Center in a 12-month period. All cases had severe head injuries sustained with the head in motion. The interval from cranial injury to diagnosis of DTICH by computerized tomography (CT) varied from 8 hours to 13 days. Eight patients were comatose on admission, three had focal seizures, and three had focal findings. The diagnosis was made on repeat CT scans obtained because of the development of focal findings in four cases, lack of improvement in four cases, and general neurological deterioration in one case. Four patients had initially negative CT scans. Four demonstrated only extracerebral hematomas on initial CT scan. One patient showed intracerebral hematoma on the initial scan followed by new hematomas on repeat study. The cases presented are discussed in light of pertinent literature.     

Clinical significance of intracranial hemorrhage caused by cerebral arteriovenous malformations: with special reference to intraventricular hemorrhage

Forty-two cases with intracranial hemorrhage caused by cerebral arteriovenous malformation (AVM), which was diagnosed by CT scan, were reviewed with regard to the clinical significance of intracranial hemorrhage, especially intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH). Twenty-one patients were defined as poor risk cases whose level of consciousness at admission was 100 to 300 according to the Japan Coma Scale, whereas the remaining 21 patients were defined as good risk cases. Surgical excision of AVM was undertaken in 35 out of the 42 cases. Urgent surgical removal of intracerebral hematoma and AVM within 24 hours following onset was undertaken in 11 cases. In 14 patients, urgent continuous ventricular drainage was carried out. The effects of the following factors on the level of consciousness at admission, and on the result of AVM treatment were investigated to clarify the clinical significance of intracranial hemorrhage; 1) cast formation of 3rd and/or 4th ventricle, 2) volume of intraventricular hematoma, 3) accompanying intracerebral hematoma and 4) acute hydrocephalus. It was confirmed that all these factors significantly contributed to the development of serious disturbance of consciousness in the acute stage following intracranial hemorrhage. For good risk cases, the rate of patients who showed a good recovery or only moderate disability according to the Glasgow Outcome Scale reached 91%, whereas for poor risk cases, it was only 43%. The presence of large intracerebral hematomas of more than 4 cm in diameter accompanied with IVH was significantly correlated with the result of AVM treatment. The presence or absence of cast formation of 3rd and/or 4th ventricle, volume of intraventricular hematoma and acute hydrocephalus were not significantly related to the result of AVM treatment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Acute subdural hematoma after intra-arterial thrombolysis for acute ischemic stroke--case report

A 79-year-old man with a cardiac pacemaker for bradycardia fell down and presented with sudden onset of right hemiplegia and aphasia. Initial computed tomography (CT) showed no cerebral infarction but angiography revealed occlusion of the left middle cerebral artery (MCA). Local intra-arterial thrombolysis with tissue plasminogen activator (tPA; tisokinase, 1,600,000 units) was performed 3 hours after the onset, and the MCA was partially recanalized. Further administration of tPA was suspended because of nosebleed. However, the patient's neurological findings did not improve. His consciousness gradually deteriorated to coma and quadriplegia with dilation of the left pupil 2.5 hours after thrombolysis. CT disclosed marked mass effect with a left acute subdural hematoma and a small intracerebral hematoma in the left frontal lobe. He underwent urgent craniotomy and removal of the subdural hematoma. The subdural hematoma originated in a frontal cerebral contusion. He died of severe brain edema 2 days after surgery. Acute subdural hematoma is a very rare complication of intra-arterial thrombolysis. Presumably he had suffered head trauma at the first onset. Evidence of head trauma should be considered a contraindication for the use of thrombolytic agents in a patient with acute stroke.     

Intracerebral hemorrhage following enucleation: a result of surgery or anesthesia?--A case report

Choroidal melanoma is the most common primary intraocular cancer in adults. A sixty-nine years old, hypertensive male with a choroidal melanoma underwent enucleation. After extubation he woke up confused and unconscious. An emergent computed tomographic (CT) scan demonstrated intracerebral hematoma. The underwent repeat surgery in the postoperative first hour, because of left parietotemporal intracerebral hematoma. His neurological state became worse and he died in the eighth postoperative day. Sympathetic stimulation due to extubation, causing increase in the intracranial pressure or uncontrolled hypertension, may be reasons precipitating intracranial hemorrhage. In patients, who undergo intracranial or intraorbital surgery, had risk factors of intracranial hemorrhage or showed labile blood pressure perioperatively and were confused or unconscious in the postoperatively or had delayed emergence, intracranial hematoma must be suspected.     

Intracerebral hematoma surgically treated under x-ray computed tomography with Backlund's needle. A series of 15 cases

15 cases of supratentorial intracerebral hematomas (12 cases of primary hematomas and 3 post-traumatic cases) were operated under C.T. scan control, using the screw and suction technique (Backlund's needle). 10 cases of primary hematomas were operated early, before the 24th hour. The patients were selected for intervention on the following criteria: 1) Patients aged less than 70 years old; 2) initial Glasgow coma scale between 6 and 10; 3) cases with involvement of the mesencephalon by the hematoma were excluded. In the 3 cases of post-traumatic hematomas, intervention was decided in reference to the clinical course. The volume of the hematomas ranged from 40 to 160 cc. Putaminal or thalamic hematomas were observed in 9 cases. The percentage of aspirated hematoma volume ranged from 50 to 91%, the average being 70.5%. Dramatic improvement of the consciousness was observed in all cases. Improvement of the motor deficit was incomplete, for the most part. 1 patient rebled and 1 patient died (6.6% mortality). In 26% of the cases (4 patients) the development of a brain oedema, in the surrounding of the residual hematoma site, was observed during the post operative follow up. There was no post operative infection. Intervention under direct C.T. control allows an accurate guidance of the needle. Efficacity of the evacuation is attested by an immediate improvement of the mass effect on C.T. scan. Under C.T. control the risk to aspirate the adjacent brain is avoided. The technique proposed here has been easily performed in emergency condition.     

Two cases of cerebral aspergillosis with intracerebral hemorrhage

Two patients who had cerebral aspergillosis with massive intracerebral hemorrhage were presented. Case I was a 59-year-old woman who had slight mental retardation. There was swelling in the left forehead, from which mucosal cysts of frontal sinus had been removed 2 years before her admission. She had a diagnosis of subdural abscess and radical operation was performed. Aspergillus was found in the abscess histologically. Three months after the operation, CT scan revealed multiple abscess in bilateral frontal lobe. When she lost consciousness suddenly 4 months after the operation, CT scan showed a huge intracerebral hematoma. Case 2 was a 16-year-old girl who suffered from immunological dysfunction caused by more than 6 months antibiotics-steroid treatment for pneumonitis. She lost her consciousness after complaints of severe headache. CT scan showed a heterogeneous high density area with severe brain edema in the left temporal lobe. The removal of hematoma was performed immediately. The level of her consciousness improved, but she died of the complication of DIC and renal failure 14 days after the hemorrhage. Autopsy revealed a number of aspergillomas in lungs, kidneys, gastrointestinal tract, liver and pancreas. Marked necrosis and a number of aspergillus hyphae which invaded and penetrated the wall of cerebral vessels were found in the brain tissue. It was presumed that such a huge intracerebral hematoma was caused by direct invasion and penetration into the brain of aspergillus from the blood vessels. The diagnosis of cerebral aspergillosis is made mainly by the pathological examination of the tissue obtained at surgery or autopsy.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Familial occurrence of intracerebral cavernous angioma

This article reported a familial occurrence of intracerebral cavernous angioma in four members of one generation diagnosed by X-ray CT, MRI or operative specimen. Case 1, a 34-year-old female, was examined just after an episode of sudden convulsive seizure. On examination, she had a cutaneous angioma without any neurological deficit. X-ray CT revealed a high density mass lesion in the left frontal lobe, and MRI demonstrated a mass lesion in the chronic stage with an old hematoma circumscribed by hypointensity ring indicating peripheral hemosiderosis. Complete excision was carried out and a diagnosis of cavernous angioma was made after histological examination. Case 2, the 37-year-old brother of Case 1, suddenly developed left hemiparesis and hypesthesia with severe headache. X-ray CT revealed a high density mass in the right parietal lobe and two other calcifications. The right parietal lesion was excised and a histopathological diagnosis of cavernous angioma with intracerebral hematoma was made. Case 3, the 49-year-old sister of Case 1, suddenly fell into a coma and was admitted immediately. X-ray CT revealed a large pontine hemorrhage. She died on the 4th day of hospitalization without operative treatment. Necropsy was not carried out. Case 4, the 39-year-old sister of Case 1, was asymptomatic, however, she was examined on the supposition of a familial occurrence of intracerebral cavernous angioma. On examination, it was found she had multiple cavernous angioma without any neurological deficit. X-ray CT revealed parietal intracerebral calcification. MRI demonstrated a mass lesion with peripheral hypointensity ring in the right parietal lobe, and another small lesion in the pons.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Multiple intracranial lesions in head injury: clinical considerations, prognostic factors, management, and results in 95 patients

BACKGROUND: The goal of this study was to identify clinical and radiological predictors of prognosis in patients with multiple post-traumatic intracranial lesions. METHODS: We reviewed 95 patients (75 male and 20 female) between the ages of 18 and 70 (average 38) admitted between 1993 and 2000 with multiple post-traumatic intracranial lesions. Intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring was carried out in 67 patients (70%); 77 received intensive care unit (ICU) treatment. Since in all cases it was possible to identify a clearly predominant lesion, 3 groups of patients emerged from the data: the first with extradural hematoma (EDH), the second with a combination of homolateral subdural (SDH) and intracerebral hematoma (ICH), and the third with pure focal intracerebral hematoma (ICH). RESULTS: Twenty-seven patients were treated conservatively, 2 of whom died (7.4%); both had bilateral ICH and compression of the basal cisterns. Sixty-eight patients underwent one or more surgeries; 8 died (11.7%). In the group with EDH-predominant lesions (27 cases) all patients were operated (16 for multiple lesions); no one died. In the group with SDH+ICH-predominant lesions, 26 of 32 patients were operated (10 had multiple procedures); 6 died (18.7%), 3 were vegetative. In the group with ICH-predominant lesion, 15 of 36 patients were operated (7 bilaterally); 4 died (11%).Decompressive craniectomy proved to be a useful means to control ICP. Bilateral lobectomy is not recommended because of poor results. Immediate postoperative computed tomography (CT) scan proved to be mandatory to detect additional surgically treatable lesions (16 cases).Statistical analysis was performed by means of chi(2) analysis and multiple linear regression model. The multiple linear regression model was used to ascertain risk factors independently associated with the outcome. The type of lesion (presence of SDH+ICH predominant lesion), the worst recorded Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score, the presence of prolonged increased ICP, and the absence of pupillary reflexes were all statistically significant predictors of a bad outcome (dead or vegetative state). CONCLUSIONS: Multiple lesions have the same prognosis as the corresponding single lesions; therefore, their management should be guided by the predominant pathology.     

Acute epidural hematoma: an analysis of factors influencing the outcome of patients undergoing surgery in coma

Mortality due to epidural hematoma is virtually restricted to patients who undergo surgery for that condition while in coma. The authors have analyzed the factors influencing the outcome of 64 patients who underwent epidural hematoma evacuation while in coma. These patients represented 41% of the 156 patients operated on for epidural hematoma at their centers after the introduction of computerized tomography (CT). Eighteen patients (28.1%) died, two (3.1%) became severely disabled, and 44 (68.8%) made a functional recovery. The mortality rate for the entire series was 12%, significantly lower than the 30% rate observed when only angiographic studies were available. A significant correlation was found between the final result and the mechanism of injury, the interval between trauma and surgery, the motor score at operation, the hematoma CT density (homogeneous vs. heterogeneous), and the hematoma volume. The patient's age, the course of consciousness before operation (whether there was a lucid interval), and the clot location did not correlate with the final outcome. The mortality rate was significantly higher in patients operated on within 6 hours or between 6 and 12 hours after injury than in those undergoing surgery 12 to 48 hours after injury. Compared with the patients operated on later, the patients undergoing surgery in the early period were, on the average, older and had more rapidly developing symptoms, more pupillary changes, lower motor scores at surgery, larger hematomas, a higher incidence of mixed CT density clots, more severe associated intracranial lesions, and higher postoperative intracranial pressure (ICP). The mechanism of trauma seems to influence the course of consciousness before and after surgery. Passengers injured in traffic accidents had a lower incidence of a lucid interval and longer postoperative coma than patients with low-speed trauma, suggesting more frequent association of diffuse white matter-shearing injury. The duration of postoperative coma correlated with the morbidity rate in survivors. Forty-eight patients (75%) had one or more associated intracranial lesions, and 70% of these required treatment for elevation of ICP after hematoma evacuation. An ICP of over 35 mm Hg strongly correlated with poor outcome; administration of high-dose barbiturates was the only effective means for lowering ICP in nine of 15 patients who developed severe intracranial hypertension after surgery. This study attempts to identify patients at greater risk for presenting postoperative complications and to define a strategy for control CT scanning and ICP monitoring.     

Traumatic intracerebral hematoma--which patients should undergo surgical evacuation? CT scan features and ICP monitoring as a basis for decision making

When a patient presents to the neurosurgeon with a traumatic intracerebral hematoma and has not deteriorated or developed new neurological deficit since the injury, the decision to remove the hematoma may be difficult. Of 244 patients with traumatic intracerebral hematomas, 85 were selected for intracranial pressure monitoring to assist in deciding whether surgical evacuation was indicated. None had deteriorated in conscious level or developed new neurological deficit since injury. Fifty-five patients (65%) demonstrated high intracranial pressure and underwent craniotomy. In 30 patients, intracranial pressure remained under 30 mm Hg, and their hematomas were not initially removed. Five of these 30 patients suddenly deteriorated or died 6 to 11 days after injury, with features of high intracranial pressure clinically or at postmortem. Intracranial pressure monitoring therefore failed to predict a late rise in intracranial pressure in 16.6% of those with low intracranial pressure initially. An analysis of computed tomography scanning and clinical features was therefore carried out to search for better predictors of the need for surgery. Our data suggest that basal cistern status, coma score, and the severity of edema surrounding the intracerebral hematoma should be used, in addition to intracranial pressure monitoring, to improve management of patients with traumatic intracerebral hematoma.     

Acute subdural hematoma caused by mild head trauma in the aged]

We encountered 8 cases of acute subdural hematoma caused by mild head trauma in the aged. In this report, these cases were analyzed, taking into consideration clinical symptoms, CT scan, operative findings and outcome. The age ranged from 70 to 92 years (mean age of 79.7 years). 4 patients were male and 4 female. Head trauma was caused by falls in 4 patients, but in the other 4 patients the causes were unknown. Initial symptoms were headache, nausea and vomiting in 5 patients and mild disturbance of consciousness with lucid intervals in 3 patients. Seven patients had more than 100 on JCS and less than 9 on GCS on admission. Small craniotomy (HITT) was performed in 4 patients. Large craniotomy was performed in 2 patients, and decompressive craniectomy was carried out in 2 patients. The bleeding focus came from the cortical artery of the middle cerebral artery in 4 patients, cerebral contusion in 2 patients, and was unknown in 2 patients for HITT. CT scan on admission showed mixed density area of acute subdural hematoma in all of the patients, and intraventricular hemorrhage, intracerebral hemorrhage and subarachnoid hemorrhage in 3 patients. CT scan after operation revealed a new area of cerebral contusion in 3 patients, delayed traumatic intracerebral hematoma (DTICH) in 2 patients, and hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage in 1 patient. Two patients recovered to good and fair without general complication. But the outcome in 5 patients with general complication was poor for 3 patients and fatal for 2 patients. In conclusion, large craniotomy is recommended because of bleeding from the cortical artery of the middle cerebral artery.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Treatment for serious cases of ruptured intracranial aneurysms with severe subarachnoid clot

Forty-one serious cases of ruptured intracranial aneurysms with severe subarachnoid clot were clinically analyzed, with special emphasis on the prognosis, pathophysiology, and surgical indications. All cases had thick subarachnoid clot without concurrent intracerebral hematoma and/or intraventricular hematoma causing mass signs on the CT scan. In this series, 23 cases underwent radical surgery while in the acute stage, 18 cases were treated conservatively (including 5 cases treated only by continuous ventricular drainage). The criterion for determining the degree of severity was defined as either a "semicoma" or "coma" state just prior to radical surgery for the radically-operated group, with the same designations for the conservative group at their time of admission. All patients except two in the conservatively-treated group died due to primary brain damage caused by massive subarachnoid hemorrhage. The two remaining cases died from other complications. On the other hand, the outcome for the 23 surgically-treated patients was as follows: Three (13%) fully recovered; three (13%) were capable of self-management; eight (34.8%) were partially or fully dependent. Nine (39.1%), died. In the radically-treated group, pre-operative factors that might predict clinical outcome were investigated. Those factors were the neurological grade, the brain-stem response, the response after the rapid administration of 20% Mannitol (300-900 ml), and the length of time from the last bleeding episode to the time that radical surgery was performed. It was recognized that there was no relationship between the neurological grade just prior to radical surgery and the outcomes in the serious cases.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)