Trial of Early Minimally Invasive Removal of Intracerebral Hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND: Trials of surgical evacuation of supratentorial intracerebral hemorrhages have generally shown no functional benefit. Whether early minimally invasive surgical removal would result in better outcomes than medical management is not known. METHODS: In this multicenter, randomized trial involving patients with an acute intracerebral hemorrhage, we assessed surgical removal of the hematoma as compared with medical management. Patients who had a lobar or anterior basal ganglia hemorrhage with a hematoma volume of 30 to 80 ml were assigned, in a 1:1 ratio, within 24 hours after the time that they were last known to be well, to minimally invasive surgical removal of the hematoma plus guideline-based medical management (surgery group) or to guideline-based medical management alone (control group). The primary efficacy end point was the mean score on the utility-weighted modified Rankin scale (range, 0 to 1, with higher scores indicating better outcomes, according to patients' assessment) at 180 days, with a prespecified threshold for posterior probability of superiority of 0.975 or higher. The trial included rules for adaptation of enrollment criteria on the basis of hemorrhage location. A primary safety end point was death within 30 days after enrollment. RESULTS: A total of 300 patients were enrolled, of whom 30.7% had anterior basal ganglia hemorrhages and 69.3% had lobar hemorrhages. After 175 patients had been enrolled, an adaptation rule was triggered, and only persons with lobar hemorrhages were enrolled. The mean score on the utility-weighted modified Rankin scale at 180 days was 0.458 in the surgery group and 0.374 in the control group (difference, 0.084; 95% Bayesian credible interval, 0.005 to 0.163; posterior probability of superiority of surgery, 0.981). The mean between-group difference was 0.127 (95% Bayesian credible interval, 0.035 to 0.219) among patients with lobar hemorrhages and -0.013 (95% Bayesian credible interval, -0.147 to 0.116) among those with anterior basal ganglia hemorrhages. The percentage of patients who had died by 30 days was 9.3% in the surgery group and 18.0% in the control group. Five patients (3.3%) in the surgery group had postoperative rebleeding and neurologic deterioration. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients in whom surgery could be performed within 24 hours after an acute intracerebral hemorrhage, minimally invasive hematoma evacuation resulted in better functional outcomes at 180 days than those with guideline-based medical management. The effect of surgery appeared to be attributable to intervention for lobar hemorrhages. (Funded by Nico; ENRICH ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02880878.).

Comparison of endoscopic evacuation, stereotactic aspiration, and craniotomy for treatment of basal ganglia hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND: The main surgical techniques for spontaneous basal ganglia hemorrhage include stereotactic aspiration, endoscopic aspiration, and craniotomy. However, credible evidence is still needed to validate the effect of these techniques. OBJECTIVE: To explore the long-term outcomes of the three surgical techniques in the treatment of spontaneous basal ganglia hemorrhage. METHODS: Five hundred and sixteen patients with spontaneous basal ganglia hemorrhage who received stereotactic aspiration, endoscopic aspiration, or craniotomy were reviewed retrospectively. Six-month mortality and the modified Rankin Scale score were the primary and secondary outcomes, respectively. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to assess the effects of different surgical techniques on patient outcomes. RESULTS: For the entire cohort, the 6-month mortality in the endoscopic aspiration group was significantly lower than that in the stereotactic aspiration group (odds ratio (OR) 4.280, 95% CI 2.186 to 8.380); the 6-month mortality in the endoscopic aspiration group was lower than that in the craniotomy group, but the difference was not significant (OR=1.930, 95% CI 0.835 to 4.465). A further subgroup analysis was stratified by hematoma volume. The mortality in the endoscopic aspiration group was significantly lower than in the stereotactic aspiration group in the medium (≥40-<80 mL) (OR=2.438, 95% CI 1.101 to 5.402) and large hematoma subgroup (≥80 mL) (OR=66.532, 95% CI 6.345 to 697.675). Compared with the endoscopic aspiration group, a trend towards increased mortality was observed in the large hematoma subgroup of the craniotomy group (OR=8.721, 95% CI 0.933 to 81.551). CONCLUSION: Endoscopic aspiration can decrease the 6-month mortality of spontaneous basal ganglia hemorrhage, especially in patients with a hematoma volume ≥40 mL.

Minimally invasive endoscopic hematoma evacuation vs best medical management for spontaneous basal-ganglia intracerebral hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND: We conducted a case-control study to assess the relative safety and efficacy of minimally invasive endoscopic surgery (MIS) for clot evacuation in patients with basal-ganglia intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). METHODS: We evaluated consecutive patients with acute basal-ganglia ICH at a single center over a 42-month period. Patients received either best medical management according to established guidelines (controls) or MIS (cases). The following outcomes were compared before and after propensity-score matching (PSM): in-hospital mortality; discharge National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score; discharge disposition; and modified Rankin Scale scores at discharge and at 3 months. RESULTS: Among 224 ICH patients, 19 (8.5%) underwent MIS (mean age, 50.9±10.9; 26.3% female, median ICH volume, 40 (IQR, 25-51)). The interventional cohort was younger with higher ICH volume and stroke severity compared with the medically managed cohort. After PSM, 18 MIS patients were matched to 54 medically managed individuals. The two cohorts did not differ in any of the baseline characteristics. The median ICH volume at 24 hours was lower in the intervention group (40 cm3 (IQR, 25-50) vs 15 cm3 (IQR, 5-20); P<0.001). The two cohorts did not differ in any of the pre-specified outcomes measures except for in-hospital mortality, which was lower in the interventional cohort (28% vs 56%; P=0.041). CONCLUSIONS: Minimally invasive endoscopic hematoma evacuation was associated with lower rates of in-hospital mortality in patients with spontaneous basal-ganglia ICH. These findings support a randomized controlled trial of MIS versus medical management for ICH.

Serum soluble CD40 ligand levels after acute intracerebral hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND: Soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L) is associated with inflammation. This study aimed to assess the prognostic value of sCD40L for clinical outcomes of acute intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The serum sCD40L levels of 110 patients and 110 age- and gender-matched healthy controls were measured using sandwich immunoassays. The relationships between serum sCD40L levels and 1-week mortality, 6-month mortality, 6-month overall survival, 6-month unfavorable outcome (modified Rankin Scale score >2), and ICH severity including hematoma volume and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score were assessed using multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Compared with healthy controls, ICH patients had higher serum sCD40L levels. Serum sCD40L levels were correlated positively with hematoma volumes and NIHSS scores using a multivariate linear regression. Multivariate analysis results indicated that sCD40L was identified an independent predictor of 1-week mortality, 6-month mortality, 6-month unfavorable outcome and 6-month overall survival. sCD40L also showed high predictive performances for 1-week mortality, 6-month mortality and 6-month unfavorable outcome based on receiver operating characteristic curve. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated serum sCD40L levels are independently associated with ICH severity and clinical outcomes. And sCD40L has potential to be a good prognostic biomarker of ICH.

Plasma pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide concentrations and mortality after acute spontaneous basal ganglia hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND: Plasma pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP) concentrations are elevated after traumatic brain injury. We assessed the prognostic value of PACAP for short-term and long-term mortality of acute intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) patients. METHODS: A total of 150 patients and 150 age- and gender- matched healthy controls were recruited. The plasma PACAP concentrations were measured using sandwich immunoassays. ICH severity was assessed using hematoma volume and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score. The end points included 1-week mortality and 6-month mortality. The relationships between plasma PACAP concentrations and ICH severity and the end points were analyzed statistically. RESULTS: Plasma PACAP concentrations were statistically significantly higher in the ICH patients than in the healthy controls and were correlated positively with hematoma volumes and NIHSS scores using a multivariate linear regression. Multivariate analysis results indicated that plasma PACAP concentration was an independent predictor of 1-week mortality, 6-month mortality and 6-month overall survival. It also had high predictive value based on receiver operating characteristic curve. CONCLUSIONS: Plasma PACAP concentrations are increased and are highly associated with the severity of ICH; PACAP may be a good predictor of short-term and long-term mortality of ICH.

High concentrations of visfatin in the peripheral blood of patients with acute basal ganglia hemorrhage are associated with poor outcome.

Higher plasma visfatin concentration has been associated with clinical outcomes of traumatic brain injury. No published information exists to date about change in plasma visfatin after intracerebral hemorrhage. This study included one hundred and twenty-eight healthy controls and 128 patients with intracerebral hemorrhage. The unfavorable outcome was defined as modified Rankin Scale score >2 at 6 months. The patients had higher plasma visfatin measurements than control subjects. Plasma visfatin levels were highly correlated with National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score and plasma C-reactive protein levels in the patients. A multivariate analysis identified plasma visfatin level as an independent predictor for 6-month mortality and unfavorable outcome. According to receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, the predictive value of the plasma visfatin concentration was similar to National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score. In a combined logistic-regression model, visfatin improved the predictive value of National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score for 6-month unfavorable outcome. Thus, increased plasma visfatin level is associated with 6-month clinical outcomes after intracerebral hemorrhage.

Keyhole endoscopic hematoma evacuation in patients.

AIM: Keyhole endoscopy is a promising therapeutic option for spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). We sought to compare the clinical outcomes between keyhole endoscopy surgery and craniotomy for basal ganglia ICH. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The authors performed a retrospective analysis of the clinical and radiographic data obtained in 28 keyhole endoscopic procedures and 30 craniotomy procedures. Hematoma evacuation rate, infection rate, rebleeding and mean operation time were recorded as primary end points. Outcome Scale (GOS) values were recorded at the 3-month postoperative follow-up. The operation time from symptom onset is also studied between < 8 hours group and 8-24 hours group. RESULTS: The evacuation rate was significantly higher in the endoscopy group compared with the craniotomy group (P < 0.05), and infectious rate was lower in the endoscopy group compared with the craniotomy group( P < 0.05). Mortality rates between the 2 groups did not show statistically significant differences. The patients operated within 8h had better outcome (GOS 4 and 5) than that operated between 8-24h (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The data indicate that in patients with ICH, keyhole endoscopic surgery is safe and feasible, while operation within 8h can promote recovery of patients. These preliminary results warrant further study in a large, prospective, randomized trial in the near future.

Copeptin is associated with one-year mortality and functional outcome in patients with acute spontaneous basal ganglia hemorrhage.

High plasma copeptin levels have been found to be associated with short-term poor outcome after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). We furthermore evaluate the relation of plasma copeptin levels to long-term outcome and early neurological deterioration after ICH. Fifty healthy controls and 89 patients with acute spontaneous basal ganglia hemorrhage were recruited in this study. Plasma copeptin concentrations on admission measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were considerably high in patients than healthy controls. A multivariate analysis identified plasma copeptin level as an independent predictor for 1-year mortality, 1-year unfavorable outcome (modified Rankin Scale score>2) and early neurological deterioration. A receiver operating characteristic curve showed that the predictive value of plasma copeptin concentration was similar to that of National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores for long-term poor outcome and early neurological deterioration. However, copeptin did not obviously improve the predictive values of National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores. Thus, increased plasma copeptin level is an independent prognostic marker of 1-year mortality, 1-year unfavorable outcome and early neurological deterioration after ICH.

Association of interleukin-11 with mortality in patients with spontaneous basal ganglia haemorrhage.

This study evaluated interleukin (IL)-11 as an independent prognostic marker of mortality following intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH). Plasma IL-11 levels in patients with ICH were significantly higher than in healthy controls. Multivariate analysis indicated that plasma IL-11 level was an independent predictor for mortality within 1 week of ICH onset and was positively associated with haematoma volume. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis identified that a baseline plasma IL-11 level > 20.9 pg/ml predicted mortality within 1 week of ICH onset with 81.2% sensitivity and 74.1% specificity. The area under the curve for IL-11 level was significantly smaller than that for the Glasgow Coma Scale score, but similar to that for haematoma volume. IL-11 did not, however, significantly improve the predictive value of the Glasgow Coma Scale or haematoma volume. Thus, IL-11 may be considered as a new independent prognostic marker of mortality and an additional valuable tool for risk stratification and decision-making in the acute phase of ICH.

Basal ganglia haemorrhages: efficacy and limits of different surgical strategies.

To assess the role of surgery in patients with spontaneous basal ganglia haemorrhages, we evaluated poor outcome (mortality and prolonged unawareness) one month after 'open' surgery in patients with haematomas larger than 30 cm(3). One hundred and twenty-seven patients were traced over a 5-year period. Excluding deeply comatose patients (Glasgow Coma Scale [GCS] 3-4, n = 39), we analysed the remaining 88 patients, dividing them into two homogeneous groups according to the modality of treatment: aggressive or palliative. Multivariate analysis was applied both to the overall population and to the two groups in order to determine factors prognostic for poor outcome. Aggressive treatment was defined as surgery as the first-choice treatment modality aimed at 'complete' evacuation. Palliative treatment was defined as delayed surgery and/or surgery aimed at clot removal only to obtain internal decompression. Efficacy was assessed in patients having the same initial GCS score in both groups. Factors significantly associated with outcome were preoperative complications, volume, timing of operation, residual clots and postoperative complications. Outcomes were significantly better for aggressive surgery (17% vs. 68%, p < 0.001). On analysing the two treatment groups, volume and GCS were found to be significantly correlated with outcome in the palliative treatment group, while pre- and postoperative complications were significantly correlated with outcome in the aggressive treatment group. As judged by preoperative GCS score, aggressive treatment is always effective while palliative treatment is valid for GCS 9 or more. It clearly emerged that early surgery, aimed at removing all the clots, improves the outcome in patients with spontaneous ganglionic haemorrhages (excluding deeply comatose patients) and has wider indications than palliative surgery. This aggressive strategy is negatively affected by pre- and postoperative general complications.

Change in plasma copeptin level after acute spontaneous basal ganglia hemorrhage.

High plasma copeptin levels are associated with mortality after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). However, there is a paucity of data available on whether copeptin is an independent prognostic marker of mortality. Thus, we sought to furthermore evaluate this relation. Thirty healthy controls and 86 patients with acute ICH were included. Plasma samples were obtained on admission and at days 1, 2, 3, 5, and 7 after ICH. Its concentration was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. After ICH, plasma copeptin level in patients increased during the 6-h period immediately, peaked in 24h, decreased gradually thereafter, and was substantially higher than that in healthy controls during the 7-day period. A multivariate analysis showed plasma copeptin level was an independent predictor for 1-week mortality (odds ratio, 1.013; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.003-1.023; P=0.009) and positively associated with hematoma volume (t=6.616, P<0.001). A receiver operating characteristic curve identified that a baseline plasma copeptin level >577.5pg/mL predicted 1-week mortality with 87.5% sensitivity and 72.2% specificity (area under curve (AUC), 0.873; 95% CI, 0.784-0.935). The AUC of the copeptin concentration was similar to those of Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores and hematoma volumes (P=0.136 and 0.280). However, copeptin did not statistically significantly improve the AUCs of GCS scores and hematoma volumes (P=0.206 and 0.333). Hence, increased plasma copeptin level is associated with hematoma volume and an independent prognostic marker of mortality after ICH.

Time course of plasma microparticle concentrations after acute spontaneous basal ganglia hemorrhage.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the changes in plasma microparticle (MP) levels in patients after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and assess their association with outcome along with biological markers of the acute phase response. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty healthy controls and 86 patients with acute ICH were recruited. Plasma samples were obtained on admission and at days 1, 2, 3, 5, and 7 after ICH. MPs with procoagulant potential were measured with a prothrombinase assay. RESULTS: Plasma MP levels in patients were substantially higher than those in healthy controls during the 7-day period. Plasma MP levels were strongly associated with outcome and with biological markers of the acute phase response. Multivariate analysis showed baseline plasma MP level was a good predictor of 1-week mortality (odds ratio, 1.930; 95% confidence interval, 1.229-3.031; P=0.004). A receiver operating characteristic curve identified the plasma MP cutoff level (8.4 nmol/l phosphatidylserine equivalent) that predicted 1-week mortality with high sensitivity (90.6%) and specificity (68.5.0%) (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Increased membrane microparticle levels occur after ICH and may contribute to the subsequent brain injury, in association with a poor clinical outcome.

Outcome of pediatric patients with traumatic basal ganglia hematoma: analysis of 21 cases.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the outcome of a pediatric population with traumatic basal ganglia hematoma (TBGH). METHODOLOGY: Patients < 15 years of age with TBGH were studied for mode of injury, severity of injury on admission, Glasgow coma scale (GCS) score on admission, radiology, intervention and overall outcome. OBSERVATIONS: Twenty-one patients (male:female = 4:1) with a mean age of 7.2 ± 3.7 years (range 0.33-15 years) were studied. High-velocity trauma (52%) followed by fall from height (38%) were the leading causes. Seventy-six percent of the patients had severe head injury. The mean GCS score on admission was 6.0 ± 2.5 (range 3-12), while the mean GCS score of the group with severe head injury was 4.81 ± 1.7 (range 3-7). Eleven (52.4%) patients had isolated basal ganglia hematoma while 10 (47.6%) had other associated intracranial injuries. Only 3 patients required surgical interventions. Eleven patients (52.4%) expired during their hospital stay. At discharge, 9 (42.9%) had a poor, nonfunctional outcome (Glasgow outcome scale, GOS 2, 3). CONCLUSION: The severity of head injuries and GCS score on admission mainly determined the ultimate outcome in pediatric TBGH. The mode of injury or associated intracranial injuries did not change the outcome. The presence of TBGH in severely head-injured patients worsens the prognosis and outcome.

Decompressive craniectomy in addition to hematoma evacuation improves mortality of patients with spontaneous basal ganglia hemorrhage.

We conducted a retrospective study to assess the effect of decompressive craniectomy on outcome of patients with spontaneous basal ganglia hemorrhage (SBH). A review of a hospital database was performed to search for patients with a diagnosis of SBH who received hematoma evacuation with (N=38) or without (N=46) decompressive craniectomy in our institute from January 2005 to January 2008. Descriptive statistics revealed that patients in the decompressive craniectomy group were in poorer clinical condition before surgery. Unadjusted analyses found no significant difference between groups in either 30-day mortality or 6-month functional survival (32% v 43%, P=.26, and 55% v 45%, P=.28, respectively). However, after severity adjustment the multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that decompressive craniectomy group was associated with improved 30-day mortality (Exp (B) 0.11, 95% confidence interval 0.02-0.60, P=.01) and 6-month functional survival (Exp (B) 26.97, 95% confidence interval 2.20-317.62, P=.01). In conclusion, our study suggests decompressive craniectomy in addition to hematoma evacuation might improve mortality of deteriorating patients with SBH. Larger, randomized studies are needed to verify this result.

High concentrations of resistin in the peripheral blood of patients with acute basal ganglia hemorrhage are associated with poor outcome.

PURPOSE: Resistin increases in peripheral blood of patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). We sought to evaluate its relation with disease outcome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty healthy controls and 86 patients with acute ICH were included. Plasma samples were obtained on admission. Its concentration was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Thirty-two patients (37.2%) died from ICH in a week. The plasma resistin level (24.2 +/- 9.7 ng/mL) in patients was significantly higher than that (8.8 +/- 2.4 ng/mL) in healthy controls after adjustment by age, sex, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, and body mass index using analysis of covariate (F = 9.507, P = .003).A univariate correlation analysis found Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score and ICH volume, but a multivariate linear regression only selected GCS score (t = -4.587, P < .001) to be related to plasma resistin level. On a multivariate logistic regression, plasma resistin level (odds ratio = 1.257, 95% confidence interval = 1.058-1.492, P = .009) was an independent variable predicting 1-week mortality. A receiver operating characteristic curve identified that a plasma resistin level greater than 26.3 ng/mL predicted 1-week mortality of patients with 81.2% sensitivity and 81.5% specificity (P < .001). Areas under curves of GCS score and ICH volume were not statistically significantly larger than that of plasma resistin level (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: Increased resistin level is found after ICH, in association with a poor clinical outcome.

Time course of plasma leptin concentrations after acute spontaneous basal ganglia hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND: Brain cortex leptin messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression and serum leptin level are up-regulated in ischemic mouse brain, as well as in rat brain with traumatic brain injury. Elevated leptin plasma levels predict cerebral hemorrhagic stroke independently of traditional risk factors. The goal of this study was to investigate change in plasma leptin level after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and to evaluate its relation with disease outcome. METHODS: Eighty-six patients admitted within 6 hrs after ICH and 30 healthy controls were included. Plasma samples were obtained on admission and at days 1, 2, 3, 5, and 7 after ICH. Its concentration was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: After ICH, plasma leptin level in patients increased during the 6-hour period immediately, peaked in 24 hours, decreased gradually thereafter, and was substantially higher than that in healthy controls during the 7-day period. Plasma leptin levels were highly associated with initial Glasgow coma scores, ICH volumes, presence of intraventricular hemorrhage, and survival rates (all P < 0.05). A multivariate analysis selected plasma leptin level related to plasma C-reactive protein level (standardized coefficient, 0.293; P = 0.003). A multivariate analysis showed baseline plasma leptin level as a good predictor for 1-week mortality (odds ratio, 1.228; 95% confidence interval, 1.070-1.409; P = 0.003). A receiver operating characteristic curve identified that a baseline plasma leptin level greater than 34.1 ng/mL predicted 1-week mortality of patients with 75.0% sensitivity and 85.2% specificity (P < 0.001). Area under curve of GCS score was statistically significantly larger than that of plasma leptin level (P = 0.035), but ICH volume's area under curve not (P = 0.078). CONCLUSIONS: Increased plasma leptin level is found after ICH and may contribute to inflammatory process of ICH, in association with a poor clinical outcome.

Thalamic haemorrhage vs internal capsule-basal ganglia haemorrhage: clinical profile and predictors of in-hospital mortality.

BACKGROUND: There is a paucity of clinical studies focused specifically on intracerebral haemorrhages of subcortical topography, a subject matter of interest to clinicians involved in stroke management. This single centre, retrospective study was conducted with the following objectives: a) to describe the aetiological, clinical and prognostic characteristics of patients with thalamic haemorrhage as compared with that of patients with internal capsule-basal ganglia haemorrhage, and b) to identify predictors of in-hospital mortality in patients with thalamic haemorrhage. METHODS: Forty-seven patients with thalamic haemorrhage were included in the "Sagrat Cor Hospital of Barcelona Stroke Registry" during a period of 17 years. Data from stroke patients are entered in the stroke registry following a standardized protocol with 161 items regarding demographics, risk factors, clinical features, laboratory and neuroimaging data, complications and outcome. The region of the intracranial haemorrhage was identified on computerized tomographic (CT) scans and/or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain. RESULTS: Thalamic haemorrhage accounted for 1.4% of all cases of stroke (n = 3420) and 13% of intracerebral haemorrhage (n = 364). Hypertension (53.2%), vascular malformations (6.4%), haematological conditions (4.3%) and anticoagulation (2.1%) were the main causes of thalamic haemorrhage. In-hospital mortality was 19% (n = 9). Sensory deficit, speech disturbances and lacunar syndrome were significantly associated with thalamic haemorrhage, whereas altered consciousness (odds ratio [OR] = 39.56), intraventricular involvement (OR = 24.74) and age (OR = 1.23), were independent predictors of in-hospital mortality. CONCLUSION: One in 8 patients with acute intracerebral haemorrhage had a thalamic hematoma. Altered consciousness, intraventricular extension of the hematoma and advanced age were determinants of a poor early outcome.

Basal ganglia haematomas in non-comatose patients: subacute stereotactic aspiration improves long-term outcome in comparison to purely medical treatment.

This study examined whether subacute stereotactic evacuation of basal ganglia haematomas in primarily non-comatose patients is suitable to improve the ultimate outcome of this subgroup of stroke patients. Applying rigorous selection criteria, 56 consecutive non-comatose patients with ganglionic haematomas were treated stereotactically, and 1-year outcomes employing four outcome parameters commonly used to assess outcome were compared with those of 39 similar patients who were treated purely medically. No survival benefit was found in long-term follow-up for either surgical or conservative treatment (total mortality 16.1% vs 28.2%; P=0.121). Among survivors, however, outcome was significantly better in surgical patients. Compared with medical patients, the median Glasgow Outcome Scale score was 1 point higher (P<0.0001) in surgical patients, and the median European Stroke Scale score improvement from baseline to 1-year score was significantly better (P<0.0001). Accordingly, the median Barthel Index score was significantly higher (P=0.002), and the median Modified Rankin Scale score was 1 point lower (P<0.0001). We conclude that primarily non-comatose patients with basal ganglia haematomas can ultimately profit from this form of minimally invasive treatment.

Intraventricular pressure monitoring in patients with thalamic and ganglionic hemorrhages.

In the present study, we have evaluated the use of intraventricular pressure catheters in thalamic and ganglionic hemorrhages. Ten patients admitted in our Emergency Department in Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) equal or below 13 enrolled the study (at least one point should have been lost in the eye opening score to exclude purely aphasic patients that were fully alert). After a complete clinical and neurological evaluation, computed tomography scans were obtained and the volume of the hematomas, as well as presence or absence of hydrocephalus, were considered. Intraventricular pressure catheters connected in parallel to external derivation systems were implanted and patients were thereafter sent to the ICU. Patients that presented mass effect lesions with sustained increased ICP levels or clinical and neurological deterioration were submitted in addition, to the surgical evacuation of the hematomas. Clinical evolution, complications and the rehabilitation of the patients were recorded. Clinical outcome was assessed with the Glasgow Outcome Score. In all but three patients the initial intracranial pressure levels were bellow 20 mmHg (mean for all patients was 14.1 +/- 6.5 mmHg). Notwithstanding, these three patients were extremely difficult to treat. For this group of patients mortality was 100%. Among the patients that presented ICP levels bellow 20 mmHg, 04 developed hydrocephalus and 03 did not display ventricular dilation. As expected, the major benefits concerning the intraventricular pressure catheters connected in parallel with external derivation systems were observed in the group of patients that presented ICP levels bellow 20 mmHg and had hydrocephalus. Mild non-statistically significant correlations for all the three groups were achieved either when the initial GCS and ICP levels (r=-0.28, p=0.43) or when ICP levels and the volumes of the hematomas were compared (r=0.38, p=0.28). In addition, no significant correlations were observed concerning the final outcome of the patients and the variables previously evaluated.

Multiple target aspiration technique for subacute stereotactic aspiration of hematomas within the basal ganglia.

BACKGROUND: Stereotactic surgery for deep-seated intracerebral hematomas as a minimally invasive procedure has gained wide acceptance, but debate continues to be controversial concerning the issue of how to aspirate a sufficient proportion of the hematoma with minimized risk for the patient. The objective of this paper is to present a modified stereotactic aspiration technique which complies saliently with both demands. METHODS: The multiple target aspiration technique was used in a series of 64 consecutive patients with spontaneous hematomas within the basal ganglia. The results obtained with this technique were evaluated with particular regard to degree of aspiration and rate of recurrent hemorrhage and were compared with results achieved with stereotactic techniques utilizing physical fragmentation or chemical lysis of the clots. RESULTS: Using this technique, it was feasible in one single surgical procedure to aspirate more than 80% of the hematoma volume in 73.4% of the patients. Mean degree of aspiration was 88.8%, and rebleeding occurred only once (1.6%). These results compare favorably with those achieved with application of intricate stereotactic techniques. CONCLUSION: The multiple target aspiration technique performed in the subacute stage is a rapid and simple method for stereotactic removal of deep-seated hematomas and combines a high success rate with very low risk of recurrent hemorrhage.