Treatment of patients with spontaneous intracranial hematomas

Spontaneous intracerebral haemorrhage is a common cause of stroke especially in the young. The term "spontaneous intracerebral haemorrhage" refers to bleeding without coincident trauma. About 80% of this haemorrhage occur supratentorial in the basal nuclei and they are associated with hypertension. Etiological factors range from congenital vascular malformations (aneurysmas, AVM, cavernomas) to acquired and degenerative vascular and brain conditions. In primary intracerebral hemorrhage arterial hypertension and consequent vascular changes are the major etiological factors. In secondary- nonhypertensive hemorrhage cause may be associated with aneurysms, AVM, tumors, coagulation disorders. Contemporary diagnosis imaging (CT, MRI) and neurological evaluation, allow early diagnosis and effective medical and/or surgical therapy in a majority patients. Without treatment, the risk of mortality and morbidity is high. Medical management involves normalization of blood pressure, reduction of intracranial pressure, control of brain edema and prevention of seizures. In design for operative treatment must be include age of the patient, hematoma size and location, clinical condition, the level of consciousness and patient outcome. The role of surgery remains controversial.