[Imaging of non-traumatic intracerebral hematoma]

J Neuroradiol. 2003 Dec;30(5):303-16.
[Article in French]

Abstract

Intracerebral hematoma is mainly due to the spontaneous rupture of small vessels damaged by chronic hypertension or amyloid angiopathy. In some cases, intracerebral hemorrhage may be associated with a vascular malformation, a tumor, venous thrombosis or hemorrhagic transformation of a cerebral infarct. The objective of brain imaging is to identify the hematoma according to its different stages and to find a potential underlying cause because of the risk of recurrence and the possibilities of treatment. In emergency, a diagnosis of hematoma may be obtained by CT scan or MRI but the etiologic work-up requires early MRI. According to the patient's age, the medical history and the location of the hematoma, it may be necessary to perform conventional angiography in order to exclude an intracranial vascular malformation. The aim of this review is to detail the different aspects of intracerebral hemorrhages and to discuss the main causes that can be found at brain imaging.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy / complications
  • Cerebral Hemorrhage / diagnosis*
  • Cerebral Hemorrhage / etiology
  • Cerebral Hemorrhage / physiopathology
  • Cerebral Infarction / complications
  • Chronic Disease
  • Hamartoma / complications
  • Hematoma / diagnosis*
  • Hematoma / etiology
  • Hematoma / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Hypertension / complications
  • Intracranial Aneurysm / complications
  • Intracranial Arteriovenous Malformations / complications
  • Intracranial Thrombosis / complications
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Vascular Diseases / complications