[Nontraumatic cerebral hematoma in young adults: a study of 42 cases].
BACKGROUND
Cerebrovascular disease has particular features in young adults (15-45 years). In this context, non-traumatic intracranial hematoma (NTICH) has received little attention. Therefore, its analysis has been attempted focusing on etiology, localization and short term prognosis.


METHODS
42 patients aged 15-45 years who were admitted because of NTICH were evaluated. 41 variables were analyzed with chi-square method and Fischer's exact test.


RESULTS
The localization of hematoma was as follows: basal ganglia/thalamus in 59%, lobar in 19%, posterior fossa in 12%, pure intraventricular in 2 cases and multiple in one case. The most common etiology was hypertension (HT) (32%), followed by arteriovenous malformations (12%), oral anticoagulants (10%), chronic alcohol abuse (10%), coagulation disorders and one central nervous system arteriopathy; 12 cases were idiopathic. On the basis of etiology two groups were distinguished: 15-30 years (no case with hypertension) and 30-45 years (HT as the leading cause). Survival was 89%.


CONCLUSIONS
NTICH in young adults has a heterogeneous etiology. On the basis of the most common cause two groups can be considered: from 15 to 30 years (arteriovenous malformation) and from 30 to 45 years (HT). High blood pressure at the time of stroke is correlated with previous HT. The short term life prognosis is better than that of NTICH in general series. Deterioration of consciousness in the acute phase and oral anticoagulation are poor prognostic factors.
Martínez Menéndez
B
B
Servicio de Neurología, Hospital 12 de Octubre, Madrid.
Pérez Sempere
A
A
Cabeza Alvarez
C I
CI
Villaverde Amundaraín
F J
FJ
Calandre Hoenigsfeld
L
L
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000150:complications; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000009:adverse effects; D002543:Cerebral Hemorrhage / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006406:Hematoma / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications; D002538:Intracranial Arteriovenous Malformations / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D000925:Anticoagulants
Hematoma intracerebral no traumático en adultos jóvenes: estudio de 42 casos.