J Korean Neurosurg Soc.  2010 Nov;48(5):399-405. 10.3340/jkns.2010.48.5.399.

Role of 'Spot Sign' on CT Angiography to Predict Hematoma Expansion in Spontaneous Intracerebral Hemorrhage

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Neurosurgery, Seoul Medical Center, Seoul, Korea. davidmhkong@gmail.com
  • 2Department of Neurosurgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

Abstract


OBJECTIVE
Patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) presenting within 24 hours of symptom onset are known to be increased risk of hematoma expansion which is closely correlated with morbidity and mortality. We investigated whether tiny enhancing foci ('Spot sign') on axial view of 3-dimensional computed tomography angiography (3D-CTA) source images can predict subsequent hematoma expansion in spontaneous ICH.
METHODS
During a 2-year period (March 2007-March 2009), we prospectively evaluated 3D-CTA of 110 patients with spontaneous ICH. Based on source images of 3D-CTA, patients were classified according to presence or absence of 'Spot sign'; 'Spot sign' (+) group, 'Spot sign' (-) group. Radiological factors and clinical outcomes were compared between two groups.
RESULTS
Hematoma expansion occurred in 16 patients (15%). Mean Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of patients with hematoma expansion was significantly different compared to score of patients without hematoma expansion (5 vs. 9, p < 0.001). Nineteen patients (16%) of 110 ICH patients demonstrated 'spot sign' on 3D-CTA. Among the 'spot sign' (+) group, 53% of patients developed hematoma expansion. Conversely 7% of patients without 'spot sign' demonstrated the hematoma expansion (p < 0.001). Initial volume and location of hematoma were significantly not associated with hematoma expansion except shape of hematoma.
CONCLUSION
Our study showed that patients with hematoma expansion of spontaneous ICH had significant clinical deterioration. And the fact that 'spot sign' (+) group have higher risk of hematoma expansion suggests the presence of 'spot sign' on source images of 3D-CTA can give a clue to predict hematoma expansion in spontaneous ICH.

Keyword

Intracerebral hemorrhage; Computed tomography angiography; Hematoma expansion; Prognosis

MeSH Terms

Angiography
Cerebral Hemorrhage
Glasgow Coma Scale
Hematoma
Humans
Prognosis
Prospective Studies
Full Text Links
  • JKNS
Actions
Cited
CITED
export Copy
Close
Share
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
Similar articles
Copyright © 2024 by Korean Association of Medical Journal Editors. All rights reserved.     E-mail: koreamed@kamje.or.kr