The spot sign score in primary intracerebral hemorrhage identifies patients at highest risk of in-hospital mortality and poor outcome among survivors.
OBJECTIVE
The spot sign score is a potent predictor of hematoma expansion in patients with primary intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). We aim to determine the accuracy of this scoring system for the prediction of in-hospital mortality and poor outcome among survivors in patients with primary ICH.


METHODS
Three neuroradiologists retrospectively reviewed CT angiograms (CTAs) performed in 573 consecutive patients who presented to our Emergency Department with primary ICH over a 9-year period to determine the presence and scoring of spot signs according to strict criteria. Baseline ICH and intraventricular hemorrhage volumes were independently determined by computer-assisted volumetric analysis. Medical records were independently reviewed for baseline clinical characteristics and modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at hospital discharge and 3-month follow-up. Poor outcome among survivors was defined as a mRS > or =4 at 3-month follow-up.


RESULTS
We identified spot signs in 133 of 573 CTAs (23.2%), 11 of which were delayed spot signs (8.3%). The presence of any spot sign increased the risk of in-hospital mortality (55.6%, OR 4.0, 95% CI 2.6 to 5.9, P<0.0001) and poor outcome among survivors at 3-month follow-up (50.8%, OR 2.5, 95% CI 1.4 to 4.3, P<0.0014). The spot sign score successfully predicted an escalating risk of both outcome measures. In multivariate analysis, the spot sign score was an independent predictor of in-hospital mortality (OR 1.5, 95% CI 1.2 to 1.9, P<0.0002) and poor outcome among survivors at 3-month follow-up (OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.1 to 2.1, P<0.0065).


CONCLUSIONS
The spot sign score is an independent predictor of in-hospital mortality and poor outcome among survivors in primary ICH.
Delgado Almandoz
Josser E
JE
Division of Neuroradiology, Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, Campus Box 8131, 510 S Kingshighway Blvd, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA. delgadoj@mir.wustl.edu
Yoo
Albert J
AJ
Stone
Michael J
MJ
Schaefer
Pamela W
PW
Oleinik
Alexandra
A
Brouwers
H Bart
HB
Goldstein
Joshua N
JN
Rosand
Jonathan
J
Lev
Michael H
MH
Gonzalez
R Gilberto
RG
Romero
Javier M
JM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002543:Cerebral Hemorrhage / Q000401:mortality* / Q000473:pathology*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D017052:Hospital Mortality / Q000639:trends*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012107:Research Design / Q000639:trends*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D015996:Survival Rate / Q000639:trends; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult