Deep intracerebral hemorrhage

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Arteries of the brain

Cerebral aneurysm

Hemorrhage - intracerebral (deep); Intracranial bleed

Deep intracerebral hemorrhage is a severe condition that requires prompt medical attention. It can develop quickly into a life-threatening situation.

Treatment depends on the location, cause, and extent of the hemorrhage.

Surgery may be needed, especially if there is bleeding in the cerebellum. Surgery may also be done to repair or remove structures causing the bleed (such as a cerebral aneurysm or arteriovenous malformation).

Medicines used may include painkillers, corticosteroids or diuretics to reduce swelling, and anticonvulsants to control seizures. Other treatments may be recommended, depending on the condition of the person and the symptoms that develop.

How well a patient does depends on the size of the hematoma and the amount of swelling.

Recovery may occur completely, or there may be some permanent loss of brain function. Death is possible, and may quickly occur despite prompt medical treatment.

Medications, surgery, or other treatments may have severe side effects.

• Permanent loss of any brain function
  • Loss of vision
  • Loss of movement of one or all extremities
  • Loss of speaking ability
  • Loss of eating or swallowing ability
  • Loss of cognitive function
• Complications of surgery
• Side effects of medications used to treat the disorder
• Hydrocephalus , especially if blood is in the ventricles.

Call your health care provider if severe headache with nausea, vomiting, decreased vision, numbness, or tingling occurs.

Go to the emergency room or call 911 if other symptoms of deep intracerebral hemorrhage develop. Emergency symptoms include difficulty breathing, seizures, loss of ability to move or swallow, sudden loss of sensations, sudden change in mental state, and loss of consciousness.

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.