Deep intracerebral hemorrhage

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Arteries of the brain

Cerebral aneurysm

Deep intracerebral hemorrhage is a type of stroke caused by bleeding within the deep structures of the brain (thalamus, basal ganglia, pons, and cerebellum).

Hemorrhage - intracerebral (deep); Intracranial bleed

Deep intracerebral hemorrhage can affect any person regardless of age, sex, or race, though it is more common in older people. It may be caused by head injury (trauma), bleeding into a tumor, problems with blood vessels (such as a cerebral aneurysm or angioma) or blood clotting problems. In some cases, no cause can be found.

Bleeding in the brain irritates the brain tissues, causing swelling (cerebral edema). The blood may collect into a mass (hematoma). Both cerebral edema and the presence of a hematoma within the brain put increasing pressure on the brain tissues and eventually destroy them.

Risk factors for deep intracerebral hemorrhage include:

• Various blood or bleeding disorders
  • Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)
  • Hemophilia
  • Sickle cell anemia
  • Leukemia
  • Decreased blood platelets
• Use of aspirin or anticoagulant medications (blood thinners)
• Liver disease (associated with increased bleeding risk)

See also:

Hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage

Review Date: 07/14/2006
Reviewed By: J.A. Lee, M.D., Division of Surgery, UCSF, San Francisco, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.