Analysis of 140 consecutive autopsy cases of cerebrovascular strokes in northern Japan.

On the autopsy findings of the 140 consecutive stroke cases, some characteristics of cerebrovascular diseases in this district were discussed. Predominance of intracranial hemorrhage (cerebral hemorrhage and subarachnoid hemorrhage) over cerebral infarction was still evident. Ruptured intracranial aneurysms were demonstrated in 98% of fatal subarachnoid hemorrhage. Compared with the autopsy data of other institutions, the age of death was generally low, the median age for cerebral hemorrhage, subarachnoid hemorrhage and cerebral infarction falling in the fourth, fifth, and sixth decade, respectively. Cerebellar hemorrhage was relatively frequent, while blood dyscrasias and other symptomatic hemorrhage constituted only a small part in contrast with the report of American authors. A dominant role of hypertension in causing strokes was concluded from both the heart weight and the clinical records.