Recurrent cerebellar hemorrhage: case report and review of the literature

Abstract

We report a case of cerebellar hemorrhage (CH) that recurred in other hemisphere after 4 months of the first attack. A 58-year-old man presented with general weakness and computerized tomography (CT) of the brain showed a 41 mm hematoma in the right cerebellum with intraventricular extension. The satisfactory outcome was obtained after emergency surgical intervention and intensive rehabilitation. However, the patient irregularly took the prescribed anti-hypertensive medication. Four months after first attack, the recurrent CH in left side showed by brain CT. Only 2 cases of recurrent CH have been published thus far. The patient is the third reported case of recurrent CH and the second case in which CH recurred in the other hemisphere. Further, no patient has been reported to develop recurrence of CH in such a short period after the first onset. We discuss the possible pathophysiology, clinical course, treatment outcome, risk factors associated with such events and the importance of blood pressure control for preventing recurrence.