Lobar intracerebral hemorrhage

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Arteries of the brain

Hemorrhage - intraparenchymal; Hemorrhage - intracerebral (lobar)

The treatment depends on the specific location, extent, and cause of the bleeding. Treatment may include lifesaving measures such as medical hyperventilation, which involves inserting a breathing tube and forcing the the person to breathe rapidly to reduce pressure in the brain.

Surgery may be needed in some cases. Surgery may 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. If a bleeding disorder is present, medications or blood products may be needed to control it.

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.

Blood irritates the tissues of the brain and may cause swelling (cerebral edema). Blood collects into a mass (hematoma). Both cerebral edema and the presence of a hematoma within the brain will put increasing pressure on the tissues of the brain and can destroy those tissues.

Blood may collect in the subarachnoid space and irritate the membranes covering the brain (meningeal irritation). Complications will vary depending on the extent of damage and the location of the bleed:

• Hydrocephalus (water on the brain)
• Permanent loss of any brain function
• Side effects of medications used to treat the disorder
• Complications of surgery
• Seizure disorder

Go to the emergency room or call 911 if anyone has symptoms of a brain hemorrhage.

Any type of intracerebral hemorrhage is a severe condition ("brain attack") requiring prompt medical attention. It may develop quickly into a life-threatening situation.

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.