title: Role of 'Spot Sign' on CT Angiography to Predict Hematoma Expansion in Spontaneous Intracerebral Hemorrhage.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) presenting within 24 hours of symptom onset are known to be increased risk of hematoma expansion which is closely correlated with morbidity and mortality. We investigated whether tiny enhancing foci ('Spot sign') on axial view of 3-dimensional computed tomography angiography (3D-CTA) source images can predict subsequent hematoma expansion in spontaneous ICH.
  
  
  METHODS
  During a 2-year period (March 2007-March 2009), we prospectively evaluated 3D-CTA of 110 patients with spontaneous ICH. Based on source images of 3D-CTA, patients were classified according to presence or absence of 'Spot sign'; 'Spot sign' (+) group, 'Spot sign' (-) group. Radiological factors and clinical outcomes were compared between two groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Hematoma expansion occurred in 16 patients (15%). Mean Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of patients with hematoma expansion was significantly different compared to score of patients without hematoma expansion (5 vs. 9, p < 0.001). Nineteen patients (16%) of 110 ICH patients demonstrated 'spot sign' on 3D-CTA. Among the 'spot sign' (+) group, 53% of patients developed hematoma expansion. Conversely 7% of patients without 'spot sign' demonstrated the hematoma expansion (p < 0.001). Initial volume and location of hematoma were significantly not associated with hematoma expansion except shape of hematoma.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study showed that patients with hematoma expansion of spontaneous ICH had significant clinical deterioration. And the fact that 'spot sign' (+) group have higher risk of hematoma expansion suggests the presence of 'spot sign' on source images of 3D-CTA can give a clue to predict hematoma expansion in spontaneous ICH.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Seoul Medical Center, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Soo Yong
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Min Ho
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Kong
authors.forename: Jung Hee
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Dong Soo
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.forename: Kwan Young
authors.initials: KY
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: Seung Kon
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Huh