Deep intracerebral hemorrhage

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Cerebral aneurysm

Arteries of the brain

Overview

Symptoms

Treatment

Prevention

Deep intracerebral hemorrhage

Alternative Names:

Hemorrhage - intracerebral (deep); Intracranial bleed

Treatment:

Deep intracerebral hemorrhage is a severe condition requiring prompt medical attention -- even if symptoms are episodic. It can develop quickly into a life-threatening situation.

Treatment goals include life support measures and control of symptoms. Treatment varies depending on the specific location, extent, and cause of the bleeding.

Surgical removal of hematomas may be appropriate, especially if there is a hematoma in the cerebellum. Surgical repair or removal of structures causing the bleed (repair of cerebral aneurysm, arteriovenous malformation) may be appropriate in some cases.

Medicines used may include corticosteroids or diuretics to reduce swelling, anticonvulsants to control seizures, medicine to control pain, and others.

Other treatments may be recommended, depending on the condition of the person and the symptoms that develop.

Expectations (prognosis):

The outcome is highly variable. Prognosis depends on the degree of swelling and size of the hematoma. Death may occur quickly despite prompt medical treatment.

Recovery may occur completely or with any level of permanent loss of brain functions. Medications, surgery, or other treatments may have severe side effects.

Complications:

Permanent loss of any brain function
- Loss of vision
- Loss of movement of one or all extremities
- Loss of speaking ability
- Loss of eating or swallowing ability
- Loss of cognitive function
Complications of surgery
Side effects of medications used to treat the disorder
Hydrocephalus, especially if blood is in the ventricles.

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if severe headache with nausea, vomiting, decreased vision, numbness, or tingling occurs.

Go to the emergency room or call 911 if other symptoms of deep intracerebral hemorrhage develop. Emergency symptoms include difficulty breathing, seizures, loss of ability to move or swallow, sudden loss of sensations, sudden change in mental state, and loss of consciousness.

Review Date: 7/23/2004
Reviewed By: Luc D. Jasmin, MD, PhD, Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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