Cerebellar hemorrhage in adults. Diagnosis by computerized tomography

Abstract

A series of 10 adult patients with cerebellar hemorrhage diagnosed by computerized tomography (CT) is described. Hypertension was the most common etiological factor, accounting for 70% of the cases. The clinical presentation appeared to fall into two basic groups. The first group (60% of the cases) ran a progressive course with early brain-stem compression. The second group had a benign course with findings of focal cerebellar dysfunction. The CT findings reflected the two clinical categories. The scans of Group 1 patients revealed a lorge hematoma (greater to or equal to 3cm) and substantial ventricular dilatation. In contrast, scans of Group 2 patients demonstrated a small hematoma (less than 3 cm) without ventricular dilatation. Use of CT scanning allowed the accurate diffferentiation of cerebellar hemorrhage from primary brain-stem and intraventricular hemorrhage. The findings of the CT investigations proved very helpful in defining appropriate therapy.