| Subject | Contents |
| Definition | Intracerebral hemorrhage involves bleeding in the brain caused by the rupture of an intracranial (within the head) blood vessel. See also hemorrhagic stroke .
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| Alternative Names | Intracranial hemorrhage; Hemorrhage - intracerebral; Hypertensive hemorrhage
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| Causes, incidence, and risk factors | Internal bleeding can occur in any part of the brain. Blood may accumulate in the brain tissues or in the space between the brain and the membranes covering the brain (subarachnoid space). The bleeding may be isolated to part of one cerebral hemisphere ( lobar intracerebral hemorrhage ) or it may occur in other brain structures, such as the thalamus, basal ganglia, pons, or cerebellum ( deep intracerebral hemorrhage ).
Intracerebral hemorrhage can be caused by trauma ( brain injury ) or abnormalities of the blood vessels ( aneurysm or angioma). When it is not caused by one of these conditions, it is most commonly associated with high blood pressure ( hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage ). In some cases, no cause can be found.
Blood irritates the brain tissues, causing swelling (cerebral edema ). It can collect into a mass called a hematoma. Both cerebral edema and the presence of a hematoma within the brain will put increasing pressure on brain tissues and can rapidly destroy them.
Symptoms vary depending on the location of the bleed and the amount of brain tissue affected. Symptoms usually develop suddenly, without warning, often during activity. They may occasionally develop in a stepwise, episodic manner or they may get progressively worse. Other factors that raise the risk of intracerebral hemorrhage include the following: Blood and bleeding disordersDisseminated intravascular coagulationHemophiliaSickle cell anemiaLeukemia Decreased levels of blood platelets Use of aspirin or anticoagulant medications (blood thinners) Liver disease (associated with increased bleeding risk in general) Cerebral amyloid or brain tumors Premature infants (born earlier than 35 weeks gestation) will sometimes have bleeding into the ventricles (fluid-filled spaces) in the brain. This type of bleed is called intra-ventricular hemorrhage (IVH). This occurs in the first day or so of life and is usually not preventable. The outcome is variable, depending on the severity of bleed and ranges from no apparent damage to severe disability. Diagnosis is by ultrasound and usually done in an intensive care nursery. |
| Symptoms | Headache May occur when lying flat May awaken patient from sleep May increase with change in position May increase with bending, straining, and coughingNausea , vomiting Change in alertness (level of consciousness)
Apathetic, withdrawn Sleepy , lethargic , somnolent, stuporousUnconscious , comatose Vision changes
Any change in vision Decreased vision , loss of all or part of vision Pupils different sizeUncontrollable eye movementsEyelid drooping Sensation changes
Decreased sensationNumbness , tinglingAbnormal sensationsFacial paralysisDifficulty speaking or understanding speech Difficulty swallowing Difficulty writing or reading Movement changes
Weakness of any body part Difficulty moving any body part Loss of fine motor skills Hand tremorLoss of coordinationLoss of balanceSeizureAbnormal taste |
| Signs and tests | Neuromuscular examination may indicate increased intracranial pressure or focal neurologic deficits (decreases in brain function). The specific pattern of symptoms and function changes may indicate the location of the intracerebral hemorrhage. Eye examination may show optic nerve swelling caused by increased pressure in the brain, or there may be changes in eye movement. Abnormal reflexes may be present, or there may be an abnormal extent of normal reflexes.
Tests to determine the amount and cause of bleeding may include the following:
CBCPlatelet countBleeding timeProthrombin time ( PT ) or partial thromboplastin time ( PTT )Liver function testsKidney function tests
Intracerebral hemorrhage may be confirmed, and the location and amount of bleeding can be determined by these tests:
Head CT scan (preferred if the bleed is less than 48 hours old) Head MRI or MRA Angiography of the head (if symptoms allow enough time) to determine whether an aneurysm or arteriovenous malformation (abnormal collection of blood vessels) is present |
| Treatment | Intracerebral hemorrhage is a severe condition requiring prompt medical attention even if symptoms are episodic (occurring occasionally, then disappearing). It may develop quickly into a life-threatening situation.
Treatment goals include lifesaving interventions, supportive measures and control of symptoms. Treatment varies, depending on the specific location, extent, and cause of the bleeding .
Surgical removal of hematomas may be appropriate, especially if there is a hematoma in the cerebellum. Surgical repair of structures causing the bleed (repair of aneurysm , arteriovenous malformation ) may be appropriate in some cases.
Medicines used may include corticosteroids or diuretics to reduce swelling , anticonvulsants to control seizures , analgesics to control pain and others.
Blood, blood products, intravenous fluids, or medications may be appropriate to counteract bleeding and loss of blood volume. |
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| Expectations (prognosis) | The outcome varies highly. Death may occur rapidly despite prompt medical treatment. Recovery may occur completely or with a permanent loss of some brain functions. Medications, surgery or treatments for this condition can have severe side effects.
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| Complications | Hemorrhagic stroke Permanent loss of any brain function Side effects of medications used to treat the disorder Complications of surgery |
| Calling your health care provider | Go to the emergency room or call the local emergency number (such as 911) if symptoms indicate intracerebral hemorrhage. This is a life-threatening condition.
Emergency symptoms include:
Difficulty breathingSeizuresLoss of consciousnessInability to speak or swallow |
| Prevention | Treatment and control of causative and risk-related disorders may reduce the risk of developing intracerebral hemorrhage. High blood pressure should be treated. Do not stop taking medications unless advised to do so by your health care provider. Known vascular malformations such as an aneurysm can often be treated before they cause bleeding in the brain. |
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