The radiological (CT) and clinical sequelae of primary intracerebral haemorrhage.
To determine the radiological and clinical outcome of primary intracerebral haemorrhage, a prospective study was carried out involving computed tomography (CT) of 388 consecutive Chinese patients admitted with acute stroke to a large public hospital in Hong Kong. Further CT and functional assessment were performed 3 months later in 71% of survivors. The patients were admitted over a 6 month period. 120 (31%) were found to have had presumed primary intracerebral haemorrhage. Of these, 64 patients (53%) died within 3 months. From 40 of the 56 survivors who returned for a follow-up study at 3 months, 30 were functionally independent and five mildly disabled; only five were significantly disabled. Follow-up CT showed no residual lesion in 27%, low attenuation areas in 37%, slit-like lesions in 25% and calcification in 10% of patients. The size of residual lesions correlated statistically with the degree of residual disability, although the association was not close. It is concluded that primary intracerebral haemorrhage accounts for a high percentage of strokes among Hong Kong Chinese with more than half of the patients dying within 3 months. Many survivors, in whom follow-up CT appearances are variable, show good functional recovery.
Kreel
L
L
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin.
Kay
R
R
Woo
J
J
Wong
H Y
HY
Nicholls
M G
MG
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D002543:Cerebral Hemorrhage / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006406:Hematoma / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed