Systematic characterization of the computed tomography angiography spot sign in primary intracerebral hemorrhage identifies patients at highest risk for hematoma expansion: the spot sign score.

ABSTRACT:

Background and purpose

The presence of active contrast extravasation (the spot sign) on computed tomography (CT) angiography has been recognized as a predictor of hematoma expansion in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage. We aim to systematically characterize the spot sign to identify features that are most predictive of hematoma expansion and construct a spot sign scoring system.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed CT angiograms performed in all patients who presented to our emergency department over a 9-year period with primary intracerebral hemorrhage and had a follow-up noncontrast head CT within 48 hours of the baseline CT angiogram. Three neuroradiologists reviewed the CT angiograms and determined the presence and characteristics of spot signs according to strict ra

SUBMITTER: Delgado Almandoz JE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3498504 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature