Intracranial blood clot volume and geometric parameters determined from CT images.

A method of determining intracranial blood vlot volumes from CT images data is presented. This technique avoids dependence on regular geometric volume approximations. Studies are presented on phantoms of known volume (ranging from 3.5 to 108 cm3) but with varying size, shape, and density relative to the surrounding medium. For a wide range of differential densities across the boundary, these phantom results indicate that volumes may be calculated to an accuracy generally better than +/- 2 cm3. A series of clinical cases, principally hypertensive intracranial hemorrhages, have been studied to demonstrate the technique. Three-dimensional axes, which allow clot localization relative to cerebral anatomy, are defined using the anterior/posterior falx attachment points and the dorsum sellae. Clot volume, center of mass, vector of clot expansion, and shift of anatomical structures are determined. Correlation of these data with clinical outcome and surgery is discussed.