Delayed traumatic intracerebral hemorrhage.

Delayed traumatic intracerebral hemorrhage refers to the appearance of hemorrhage (usually within 48 hours of head trauma) in areas of the brain that were normal in appearance or nearly so on the CT scan taken shortly after injury. Neurologic deterioration is common but is not universally the rule. The frequency of delayed traumatic intracerebral hemorrhage is variable but is reported to occur in 1% to 8% of patients with severe head injury. The pathogenesis is multifactorial and may result from one or more of the following: coagulation abnormalities, necrosis of blood vessels in areas of brain injury, dysautoregulation, and release of tamponade effect with evacuation of extra-axial hematomas. Outcome is poor, and most series report a mortality of 50% or higher.