Intracerebral hemorrhage is a type of intracranial hemorrhage, or bleeding in the brain, caused by the rupture or leak of a blood vessel. The result can be a devastating loss or impairment of the body functions controlled by the affected part of the brain.
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What Is An Intracerebral Hemorrhage?
Intracerebral hemorrhage is bleeding in the brain caused by the rupture or leak of a blood vessel in the brain.
This bleeding causes:
- Swelling inside the brain.
- Increased pressure within the skull.
- Rapid destruction of brain tissue.
The result can be a devastating loss or impairment of the body functions controlled by the affected part of the brain.
Intracerebral hemorrhage is a common brain injury that occurs with stroke. It usually is not the result of trauma.
How common is intracerebral hemorrhage?
Roughly 40,000 to 67,000 people are diagnosed with intracerebral hemorrhages each year in the U.S.
What is the prognosis for intracerebral hemorrhage?
The outlook on recovery depends on the severity of the intracerebral hemorrhage and how quickly you get treatment.
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), between 35% and 52% of people who have an intracerebral hemorrhage will die within one month of onset, with half of the deaths occurring within the first 24 hours. Only about 20% of survivors regain full function at six months.
What causes intracerebral hemorrhage?
Intracerebral hemorrhage is often caused by damage to blood vessel walls from high blood pressure.
Other causes include:
- Arteriovenous malformation (AVM).
- Ruptured aneurysm.
Intracerebral hemorrhage risk factors
You are at a higher risk of intracerebral hemorrhage if you:
- Are age 50+.
- Are Asian, Black, or Hispanic.
- Are male.
- Are underweight.
- Drink a lot of alcohol.
- Have diabetes.
- Have high blood pressure.
Complications of intracerebral hemorrhage
Intracerebral hemorrhage is a serious emergency.
Even with treatment, it can lead to complications, including:
- Delayed brain development in children.
- Difficulty concentrating.
- Dizziness.
- Headaches.
- Memory loss.
- Paralysis.
- Seizures.
In severe cases, it can cause death.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Intracerebral Hemorrhage?
A key warning sign is the sudden onset of neurological deficit. That means a problem with your brain’s functioning that comes on without warning. Symptoms may progress over minutes to hours.
Symptoms of intracerebral hemorrhage may include:
- Abnormal sense of taste.
- Changes in alertness ranging from sleepiness to loss of consciousness.
- Difficulty speaking or understanding speech.
- Difficulty swallowing.
- Difficulty reading or writing.
- Double vision, vision loss, or other vision changes.
- Droopy eyelids, different pupil sizes, and uncontrolled eye movements.
- Elevated blood pressure.
- Facial paralysis.
- Loss of balance or coordination.
- Nausea or vomiting.
- Numbness or tingling sensations.
- Seizures.
- Severe headache that may worsen with positional changes.
- Stiffness in the neck muscles.
- Visual disturbances.
- Weakness or loss of motor skills.
When should I see a doctor about my Intracerebral hemorrhage symptoms?
You should seek emergency medical care immediately if you experience symptoms of intracerebral hemorrhage. This life-threatening condition requires urgent treatment to prevent permanent brain damage or death.
How Do You Diagnose Intracerebral Hemorrhage?
Tests to diagnose intracerebral hemorrhage
- Imaging studies — Intracerebral hemorrhages can be diagnosed by imaging studies such as CT scans. A CT scan can show blood clots, swelling, and other abnormalities in the brain.
- Lumbar puncture – Tests the cerebrospinal fluid that cushions your brain and spine. Your provider may order this test if your CT scans show no sign of intracerebral hemorrhage, but you’re still having symptoms.
How Do You Treat Intracerebral Hemorrhage?
Treatment for intracerebral hemorrhage depends on:
- The location, extent, and duration of bleeding.
- The general condition of the person.
Medications for intracerebral hemorrhage
Treatment with drugs that promote clotting can reduce the progression of brain bleeds if given within four hours of the onset of bleeding. Medications also may be given to reduce blood pressure and to treat multiple symptoms of the hemorrhage, including headache, fever, and seizure.
Surgery for intracerebral hemorrhage
Surgery may be required to drain the affected area of blood buildup or to repair the source of bleeding, such as an arteriovenous malformation or aneurysm.
Neuroendoport® surgery
At UPMC, whenever possible, the preferred surgical treatment for intracerebral hemorrhages within the white matter of the brain (intraparenchymal hematomas) is Neuroendoport® surgery.
This minimally invasive technique — pioneered by UPMC neurosurgeons — provides access for removing deep brain tumors using an endoscope in a clear, thin tube inserted through a dime-size opening in the skull. This tube, or port, allows surgeons to reach tumors through smaller openings in the lining of the brain than would be used in traditional brain surgery.
This minimally invasive approach offers benefits such as:
- Faster recovery time.
- Fewer side effects and complications.
- Minimal scarring.
UPMC's neurosurgeons may also recommend a combination of surgical and nonsurgical approaches to treating intracerebral hemorrhages.
