Clinical significance and levels of serum vascular endothelial growth factor in the patients with acute intracerebral hemorrhage / 中国医师进修杂志

Objective To observe the dynamic changes of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels in the patients with acute intracerebral hemorrhage during different phases and study the relationships between the VEGF levels and the volume of hemorrhage or stroke severity. Methods Fifty-six patients with acute intracerebral hemorrhage were divided into three groups by the volume of hemorrhage:group A(＜ 20 ml,23 caees),group B(20-30 ml, 18 cases),group C(＞ 30 ml, 15 cases) and light group (1-15 scores,22 cases),midrange group (16-30 scores,20 cases),severe group (31-45 scores, 14 cases)by China stroke scale (CSS) score in 24 hours of hospitalization. The serum VEGF level was determined at 24 h,48 h,72 h,7 d and 14 d after the onset of disease by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).Results The serum levels of VEGF during different phases (within 24 h,48 h,72 h,7 d,14 d) had statistical differences between group A and group C (P ＜0.01). Within 24 h,48 h,72 h,7 d,there was statistical difference between group B and group C (P ＜0.01).Within 48 h,72 h,7 d,14 d,there was statistical significance between group A and group B (P＜ 0.05). The serum levels of VEGF during different phases(24 h,48 h,72 h,7 d, 14 d) were higher in severe group than those in light group(P＜ 0.01). Within24 h,48 h,72 h,7 d,there was statistical difference between severe group and midrange group (P＜ 0.01).Within 48 h, 72 h, 7 d, 14 d, there was significant difference between midrange group and light group (P ＜0.05). The volume of hemorrhage had positive correlation with the CSS scores of neurologic impairment on admission (r = 0.916, P ＜ 0.05). Conclusion The serum VEGF levels might be related to the volume of hemorrhage and the severity of the disease.

Hypertensive Cerebellar Hemorrhage:Prognostic Factors

Hypertensive cerebellar hemorrhage was rarely diagnosed in the past and therefore thought to be infrequent, but after the introduction of computerized tomography(CT) scans it has been more commonly diagnosed. We present 36 patients with hypertensive cerebellar hemorrhage who were treated in our hospital from June 1989 to January 1994. There were 15 men and 21 women, with ages ranging between 34 and 91 years. The volume of cerebellar hematoma and the grade of quadrigeminal cisternal obliteration on CT scans significantly correlated to the level of consciousness at admission. Several prognostic factors which might influence the outcome were statistically analysed:the level of consciousness at admission, the volume of hematoma, the treatment modality, the presence of hydrocephalus, the presence of quadrigeminal cisternal obliteration on CT scans, and the location of hematoma. Overall mortality rate was 13.9% and many of the above factors affected the outcome except for the treatment modality and the presence of hydrocephalus. The outcome in patients with GCS scores of 14 or 15 at admission was excellent. We conclude that the level of consciousness at admission is the most important prognostic factor and surgical decompression is indicated particularly in patients with an impaired level of consciousness, provided that brainstem reflexes are still intact. An accurate monitoring of the patient's clinical status is very important since its worsening is an absolute indication for surgery independent of the size of hematoma.

Indications of Stereotactic Evacuation of Spontaneous ICH

To consider indications of stereotactic evacuation of spontaneous I.C.H., we reviewed 155 patients of spontaneous I.C.H. treated with B.R.W. stereotaxy in recent 2 years form Jan. 1986 to Dec. 1987. And we analysed clinical outcome according to volume of hematoma, anatomical location of hematoma, operation time from attack and initial G.C.S.. We concluded "Indications of stereotactic evacuation of spontaneous I.C.H." as followings; 1) There was no contraindication according to anatomical location of hematoma even if brain stem and posterior fossa. 2) Golden operation time seems to be as early as possible after 6-8 hours from attack. 3) There was no contraindication according to volume of hematoma but there was increased tendency of rebleeding in small thalamic hemorrhage. 4) Low initial G.C.S. was not definite contraindication but final end-result was not so satisfactory. 5) Combined I.V.H. was also good indication, because of low occurrence of postoperative hydrocephalus and early removal of ventricular hemorrhage.