Intracerebral hematoma from aneurysm rupture.

OBJECT

Patients who present with an intraparenchymal hematoma associated with a ruptured aneurysm usually require urgent clot evacuation and aneurysm obliteration. The impact of the presence of hematoma on outcome has been poorly characterized. The authors report on 460 patients who had dense subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) (Fisher Grades 3 and 4) with and without associated hematoma.

METHODS

Of the 959 consecutive patients who presented with SAH, 460 patients with Fisher Grade 3 and 4 SAH were analyzed and divided into two groups: those with (Group 1) and those without (Group 2) hematoma. The presenting Hunt and Hess grade and 6-month outcomes of the two groups were compared. Of the 460 patients, 116 (25%) had intraparenchymal hematomas and admission Hunt and Hess grades were worse in Group 1 compared with Group 2. Outcome scores were worse for Group 1 compared with Group 2; however, when comparing Group 1 and Group 2 within the same initial Hunt and Hess score, there was no statistical difference in outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

Intraparenchymal hematoma in association with SAH does not differ significantly from those patients without associated hematomas. We therefore recommend aggressive clot evacuation and aneurysm obliteration.