Caracterización epidemiológica de pacientes con enfermedad cerebral vascular aguda en un hospital de Chile en base a registros de grupos relacionados al diagnóstico / An epidemiological characterization of patients with acute stroke in a single Chilean hospital using diagnosis-related group registers

Resumen Introducción Las enfermedades cerebrales vasculares son la primera causa específica de muerte y discapacidad en Chile. Objetivo Analizar características epidemiológicas de pacientes hospitalizados con diagnóstico de accidentes vasculares cerebrales en el Complejo Asistencial Víctor Ríos Ruiz. Metodología Estudio observacional, transversal. Se analizaron los egresos hospitalarios con diagnóstico de accidentes vasculares cerebrales entre 2014 y 2017. Se recolectaron datos sobre el diagnóstico de accidentes vasculares cerebrales mediante registro CIE 10, datos demográficos, tipo de accidentes vasculares cerebrales y datos respecto de la letalidad y estadía intrahospitalaria. Las variables cuantitativas fueron expresadas mediante promedios y desviación estándar (± DS) mientras que las variables categóricas fueron evaluadas mediante frecuencias absolutas y relativas. Las diferencias entre las variables fueron analizadas mediante T de Student y ANOVA de un factor. Se consideraron resultados significativos los valores p < 0,05. Resultados Se caracterizó un total de 1856 egresos, 58,6% fueron hombres, edad media de 66,9 (± 13,9) años y estadía media de 10,4 (± 16,7) días. En mujeres, la edad media fue 69,9 (± 16) años y estadía media 11,1 (± 16,5) días. El 55,5% correspondió a accidentes vasculares cerebrales isquémicos y 17,4% accidentes vasculares cerebrales hemorrágicos. Los principales factores de riesgo fueron hipertensión arterial (72%) y diabetes mellitus (33%). La letalidad intrahospitalaria global fue de 10,6%. Tanto la letalidad y estadía prolongada estuvieron asociadas a hemorragia subaracnoidea y accidentes vasculares cerebrales hemorrágicos (valor p < 0,05). Conclusiones La prevalencia de accidentes vasculares cerebrales es similar en hombres y mujeres. La hipertensión arterial fue el factor de riesgo más prevalente. A pesar de que el accidente vascular cerebral isquémico fue el más frecuente, la hemorragia subaracnoidea y el accidente cerebral vascular hemorrágico fueron relacionados con una mayor letalidad y estadía prolongada.

Abstract Introduction Stroke is the leading cause of death and disability in Chile. Objective To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of hospitalized patients with a diagnosis of stroke in our hospital unit (Complejo Asistencial Víctor Ríos Ruiz). Methods We performed an observational, cross-sectional study. We included patients who were discharged from our hospital with a diagnosis of stroke between 2014 and 2017. We extracted data on stroke-related ICD codes, demographic variables, types of stroke, case fatality rates, and hospital stay. Quantitative variables were expressed as averages with standard deviation (± SD), and categorical variables were expressed as absolute and relative frequencies. Differences were analyzed using Student t-distribution and ANOVA. We defined a p-value of < 0.05 as statistically significant. Results In total, 1856 patients were discharged of which 58.6% were male, with an average age of 66.9 (± 13.9) years, and an average stay of 10.4 (± 16.7) days. In the female population, the average age was 69.9 (± 16), and the average hospitalization was 11.1 (± 16.5) days. 55.5% of stroke cases was ischemic, and 17.4% was hemorrhagic. The main risk factors were hypertension (72%) and type 2 diabetes (33%). We found an overall in-hospital case fatality rate of 10.6%. Both the case fatality rate and prolonged in-hospital stay were associated with subarachnoid hemorrhage and hemorrhagic stroke (p < 0.05). Conclusions Prevalence of stroke is similar in both men and women. Hypertension was the leading risk factor associated with acute stroke. Although ischemic stroke was the most frequent diagnosis, both subarachnoid hemorrhage and hemorrhagic stroke were related to an increased case fatality rate and a more extended hospital stay.

Activador del plasminógeno tisular recombinante en el manejo de trombos cardiacos en recién nacidos / Recombinant tissue plasminogen activator for the management of intracardiac thrombi in newborns

Introducción: La incidencia de trombos cardíacos en recién nacidos (RN) ha aumentado con el uso de catéteres venosos centrales. La trombólisis con activador del plasminógeno tisular recombinante (rTPA) se ha utilizado como alternativa a la heparina en trombos gigantes con riesgo vital y de embolización. Nuestro objetivo fue describir la respuesta y las complicaciones relacionadas con el uso del rTPA en el manejo de trombos cardíacos con riesgo vital en RN. Pacientes y método: Estudio retrospectivo de 8 RN, 7 prematuros, con trombos cardíacos en los cuales se utilizó rTPA. Se analizó la edad gestacional y al diagnóstico, peso, sexo, enfermedades asociadas, hemograma, niveles de fibrinógeno, dímero D, tiempo parcial de tromboplastina activada y de protrombina, antes y al término de la infusión de rTPA. El diagnóstico del trombo se realizó por ecocardiografía doppler. La indicación de rTPA fue trombo mayor de 10 mm o que ocupara más del 50% de la cavidad donde se localizaba; aumento del tamaño a pesar del tratamiento con heparina, aspecto fragmentado y lobulado con riesgo embólico pulmonar o sistémico o que comprometiera la función valvular o cardíaca. Resultados: Cuatro hombres; peso promedio de 1.580 g. La principal enfermedad fue la sepsis (7/8), se usó catéter venoso central en todos, la vena cava superior fue la localización más frecuente, con tiempo promedio de instalación previo al diagnóstico de 12 días. En 7/8 RN los trombos se ubicaron en la aurícula derecha, con un tamaño entre 7 a 20 mm. Tres pacientes recibieron heparina de bajo peso molecular previo al uso de rTPA, se realizaron entre uno a 5 ciclos con rTPA. En 4 pacientes se logró resolución completa del trombo a los 3,5 días en promedio. No hubo embolia ni fallecidos. Cuatro pacientes presentaron hemorragia intracraneana grado I, sin secuelas en el seguimiento. Conclusión: Este estudio constituye la primera serie de neonatos tratados con rTPA en Chile, lográndose la resolución completa del trombo en un 50% de los RN y parcial en el resto, permitiendo con ello disminuir el riesgo vital secundario a este proceso patológico.

Introduction: The incidence of cardiac thrombi in newborns has increased with the use of central venous catheters. Thrombolysis with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rTPA) has been used as an alternative to heparin in life threatening giant thrombus and embolization. The aim of this study is to describe the response and complications related to the use of rTPA in the management of life- threatening cardiac thrombi in newborns. Patients and method: The medical records of 8 newborn were reviewed in a retrospective study, of whom 7 were preterm with cardiac thrombi, and rTPA was used in all of them. Results: The patients included 4 males with a mean weight of 1580 gr. The principal pathology was sepsis (7/8), all of them used venous central catheter. The superior vena cava was the most frequent location, with a mean time of installation before the diagnosis of 12 days. RN 7/8 thrombi were located in the right atrium with a size between 7 to 20 mm. Three patients received low molecular weight heparin prior to using rTPA. They received between 1 to 5 cycles with rTPA. In 4 patients complete resolution of the thrombus was achieved in a mean of 3.5 days. Four patients had intracranial haemorrhage grade I, without sequelae at follow-up. There were no deaths or embolism. Conclusion: This study is the first series of infants treated with rTPA in Chile, and where its use has quickly achieved complete resolution of the thrombus in 50% of cases, and partially in the others, thus reducing the secondary life-threatening risk of this disease.

Aspectos perinatais relacionados à hemorragia intracraniana em recém-nascidos de muito baixo peso no Sul do Brasil / Pregnancy aspects related to intracranial hemorrhage in newborns of very low weight in South Brazil

OBJETIVO: Analisar a relação da via de parto e de outros aspectos perinatais com a ocorrência de hemorragia intracraniana em recém-nascidos de muito baixo peso em um Hospital Universitário do Sul do Brasil. MÉTODOS: Estudo de caso-controle. Foram analisados os prontuários de todos os recém-nascidos que nasceram com peso ≤1.500 g, no período de janeiro de 2011 a setembro de 2014, e que foram submetidos ao exame de ultrassonografia transfontanela. Foram selecionados como casos os que tiveram diagnóstico de hemorragia intracraniana e como controles, os que apresentaram exame normal. As diferenças entre os grupos foram avaliadas pelo teste t de Student, do χ2 ou exato de Fisher, e a medida de associação foi a odds ratio, com intervalo de confiança de 95% e α=5%. RESULTADOS: Foram registrados 222 nascimentos com peso ao nascer ≤1.500 g; desses, 113 foram submetidos à ultrassonografia transfontanela e puderam ser incluídos no estudo. Em 69 (61,1%) casos houve o diagnóstico de hemorragia intracraniana (casos) e 44 (38,9%) tiveram o exame de ultrassonografia transfontanela normal (controles). A maioria dos casos apresentou hemorragia grau I (96,8%) com origem na matriz germinativa (95,7%). A via de parto predominante foi a cesárea (81,2% dos casos e 72,7% dos controles). Foram registrados 5 óbitos, sendo 3 casos e 2 controles. A idade gestacional variou de 24 a 37 semanas. O peso ao nascer mediano foi de 1.205 g (variação: 675-1.500 g). O tempo de internação hospitalar mediano do bebê foi de 52 dias, variando de 5 a 163 dias. CONCLUSÃO: A hemorragia intracraniana da matriz germinativa grau I foi a mais frequente. Não foram encontradas diferenças entre casos e controles para as variáveis estudadas. O baixo número de recém-nascidos que foram submetidos à ultrassonografia transfontanela limitou o tamanho amostral e os resultados do estudo. .

PURPOSE: To analyze the relationship between route of delivery and other aspects of pregnancy and the occurrence of intracranial hemorrhage in newborns of very low weight at a teaching hospital in South Brazil. METHODS: A case-control study was conducted. Medical records of all patients who were born weighing ≤1,500 g and who were submitted to transfontanellar ultrasonography were analyzed from January 2011 to September 2014. The cases were newborns with diagnosis of intracranial hemorrhage, while newborns with regular exams were used as controls. Differences between groups were analyzed by the Student t test and by χ2 or Fisher exact tests, and association was determined using the odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval and α=5%. RESULTS: A total of 222 newborns with birth weight ≤1,500 g were recorded; of these, 113 were submitted to transfontanellar ultrasonography and were included in the study. Sixty-nine (61.1%) newborns were diagnosed with intracranial hemorrhage (cases) and 44 (38.9%) showed no abnormal results (controls). Most cases had grade I hemorrhage (96.8%) originating from the germinative matrix (95.7%). The predominant route of delivery was caesarean section (81.2% of the cases and 72.7% of the controls). Five deaths were recorded (3 cases and 2 controls). Gestational age ranged from 24 to 37 weeks. Median birth weight was 1,205 g (range: 675-1,500 g). The median time of hospitalization was 52 days, ranging from 5 to 163 days. CONCLUSION: Grade I intracranial hemorrhage from the germinative matrix was the most frequent. No differences were found between cases and controls for the variables studied. The small number of infants submitted to transfontanellar ultrasonography limited the sample size and the results of the study. .

Incidence and Risk Factors for Rebleeding during Cerebral Angiography for Ruptured Intracranial Aneurysms

PURPOSE: The purpose was to evaluate the incidence and risk factors for rebleeding during cerebral angiography in ruptured intracranial aneurysms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Among 1896 patients with ruptured intracranial aneurysms between September 2006 and December 2013, a total of 11 patients who experienced rebleeding of the ruptured aneurysms during digital subtraction angiography (DSA) were recruited in this study. RESULTS: There were 184 patients (9.7%) who had suffered rebleeding prior to the securing procedure. Among them, 11 patients experienced rebleeding during DSA and other 173 patients at a time other than DSA. Eight (72.7%) of the 11 patients experienced rebleeding during three-dimensional rotational angiography (3DRA). The incidence of rebleeding during DSA was 0.6% in patients with ruptured intracranial aneurysms. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that aneurysm location in anterior circulation [odds ratio=14.286; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.877 to 250.0; p=0.048] and higher aspect ratio (odds ratio=3.040; 95% CI, 1.896 to 10.309; p=0.041) remained independent risk factors for rebleeding during DSA. CONCLUSION: Ruptured aneurysms located in anterior circulation with a high aspect ratio might have the risk of rebleeding during DSA, especially during 3DRA.

Incidence and Risk Factors for Rebleeding during Cerebral Angiography for Ruptured Intracranial Aneurysms

PURPOSE: The purpose was to evaluate the incidence and risk factors for rebleeding during cerebral angiography in ruptured intracranial aneurysms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Among 1896 patients with ruptured intracranial aneurysms between September 2006 and December 2013, a total of 11 patients who experienced rebleeding of the ruptured aneurysms during digital subtraction angiography (DSA) were recruited in this study. RESULTS: There were 184 patients (9.7%) who had suffered rebleeding prior to the securing procedure. Among them, 11 patients experienced rebleeding during DSA and other 173 patients at a time other than DSA. Eight (72.7%) of the 11 patients experienced rebleeding during three-dimensional rotational angiography (3DRA). The incidence of rebleeding during DSA was 0.6% in patients with ruptured intracranial aneurysms. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that aneurysm location in anterior circulation [odds ratio=14.286; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.877 to 250.0; p=0.048] and higher aspect ratio (odds ratio=3.040; 95% CI, 1.896 to 10.309; p=0.041) remained independent risk factors for rebleeding during DSA. CONCLUSION: Ruptured aneurysms located in anterior circulation with a high aspect ratio might have the risk of rebleeding during DSA, especially during 3DRA.

Frequency and predictors of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage after intravenous thrombolysis for acute ischemic stroke in a Brazilian public hospital

OBJECTIVE: Scarce data are available on the occurrence of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage related to intravenous thrombolysis for acute stroke in South America. We aimed to address the frequency and clinical predictors of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage after stroke thrombolysis at our tertiary emergency unit in Brazil. METHOD: We reviewed the clinical and radiological data of 117 consecutive acute ischemic stroke patients treated with intravenous thrombolysis in our hospital between May 2001 and April 2010. We compared our results with those of the Safe Implementation of Thrombolysis in Stroke registry. Univariate and multiple regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with symptomatic intracranial transformation. RESULTS: In total, 113 cases from the initial sample were analyzed. The median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score was 16 (interquartile range: 10-20). The median onset-to-treatment time was 188 minutes (interquartile range: 155-227). There were seven symptomatic intracranial hemorrhages (6.2%; Safe Implementation of Thrombolysis in Stroke registry: 4.9%; p = 0.505). In the univariate analysis, current statin treatment and elevated National Institute of Health Stroke Scale scores were related to symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage. After the multivariate analysis, current statin treatment was the only factor independently associated with symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage. CONCLUSIONS: In this series of Brazilian patients with severe strokes treated with intravenous thrombolysis in a public university hospital at a late treatment window, we found no increase in the rate of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage. Additional studies are necessary to clarify the possible association between statins and the risk of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage after stroke thrombolysis.

Body Mass Index and Risk of Hemorrhagic Stroke in Korean Adults: Case-control Study / 예방의학회지

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the association between body mass index (BMI) and hemorrhagic stroke. METHODS: A case-control study was conducted on 2,712 persons (904 cases, 904 hospital controls, and 904 community controls) participating in an Acute Brain Bleeding Analysis study from October 2002 to March 2004. Two controls for each case were matched according to age and gender. The information was obtained by trained interviewers using standardized questionnaire. A conditional logistic regression model was used to estimate the association between BMI and the frequency of having a hemorrhagic stroke. RESULTS: Obese men (25.0 < or = BMI < 30.0 kg/m2) had an odds ratios (OR) of 1.39 (95% CI 1.03 to 1.87) a hemorrhagic stroke, compared to men with a normal BMI (18.5 to 24.9 kg/m2). Conversely, women with lower BMI had a higher risk of having hemorrhagic stroke. With respect to subtypes of hemorrahagic stroke, we observed about a three-fold increase in the risk of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) in the highly obese group. However, these trends were not significant in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhages. CONCLUSIONS: Obesity was identified as one of the risk factors in hemorrhagic stroke, in particular ICH. Conversely, in women, a lean body weight increases the risk of hemorrhagic stroke. Consequently, managing one\s weight is essential to reduce the risks of hemorrhagic stroke.

Incidencia de hemorragia intracraneana y leucomalacia en el recién nacido de muy bajo peso de nacimiento y/o menor de 32 semanas al nacer / Intracranial hemorrhage and periventricular leukomalacia incidence in the very low birth weight newbor and/or younger than 32 weeks of gestation

Introducción: La incidencia de hemorragia intraventricular (HIV) y leucomalacia periventricular (LPV) era desconocida en nuestra provincia. Mediante la adjudicación del proyecto FONADIS 0393/01, "Prevención de discapacidad por daño neurológico mediante pesquisa ecográfica precoz de HIV y LPV en recién nacidos de muy bajo peso de nacimiento(RNMBPN) en la provincia de Valdivia" se logró contar con el equipo necesario para la ejecución. Objetivos: Determinar la incidencia de HIV y LPV en recién nacidos (RN) menores de 1500grs. y/o menores de 32 semanas de gestación y factores asociados. Método: Se practicó ecografía cerebral a 118 RNMBPN en el periodo Agosto 2001-Julio 2003. Se efectuó examen neurológico a las 40 semanas de edad gestacional (EG). Se recopiló antecedentes clínico epidemiológicos, analizándose con estadística descriptiva e inferencial. Resultados: La incidencia de HIV de cualquier grado fue de 13.6 por ciento (14/103) en la 1ª ecografía correspondiendo a un 57.1 por ciento GI (8/14), 21.4 por ciento, (3/14) GII, 7.1 por ciento (1/14) GIII y 14.2 por ciento (2/14) GIV. a LPV fue encontrada en un 16 por ciento, e hiperecogenicidad periventricular persistente (H) sin quistes en el 12.7 por ciento. En relación a la distribución de LPV y H por categoría de peso se observó que el 40 por ciento (14/35) se concentró en el grupo de 700 a 900 grs. En relación a la LPV y la EG existe diferencia estadísticamente significativa estimándose un RR 1.9 (IC95 por ciento 1.3- 2.7, p: 0.0012) para los < de 30 semanas de EG. En relación a la distribución de HIC por categoría de peso se observa que la mayoría se presentó entre los 800 y 1000 grs. (9/15). La evaluación neurológica a las 40 semanas fue anormal en el 13.8 por ciento de los casos. Conclusiones: El uso de ecografía cerebral permitió dimensionar el problema y establecer medidas terapéuticas oportunas para la prevención.

Background: The incidence of intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) and periventricular leucomalacy (PVL) was unknown for us, because of by the unavailability of ecography in the neonatology unit. The acquisition of the necessary equipment, in the year of 2001 by means of the financial support of FONADIS, the national foundation for the discapacity. Purpose: To determine the incidence of IVH y PVL in newborn (NB) with less than 1500 grs of weigh or less than 32 weeks of gestational age and asociated factors. Method: 118 NB were examined between August 2001 and July 2003. All of them were neurologically evaluated at 40 weeks of gestational age (GA). The clinical and epidemiological data were analyzed by t-test and (2 test or Fisher, by Stata 8.0(r) software.Results: The total IVH incidence was 13.6 percent (14/ 103) at the time of the first ecography, with 57.1 percent GI (8/14), 21.4 percent, (3/14) GII, 7.1 percent (1/14)GIII and 14.2 percent (2/14) GIV. PVL was present in 16 percent, with persistent periventricular hyperecogenicity without cystic formation (H) in 12.7 percent. The distribution of PVL and H according to NB weigh, showed a 40 percent (14/35) in the group of 700 to 900 gr. The association between PVL and GA was statistically significant with RR 1.9 (IC95 percent 1.3 - 2.7, p: 0.0012) for the NB with less than 30 weeks of GA. The IVH, was highly observed in the group 800 to 1000 gr. (9/15).The neurological evaluation at the 40 weeks was abnormal in13,8 percent of the NB. Conclusion: Using the cerebral ecography we could establish the dimension of the neurological complications in premature NB, in our unit, and to propose therapeutic and preventive measures, so we could contribute to the better clinical results in our children.

Alterações cerebrais em recém-nascidos pré-termos detectadas por ultra-sonografia e associação com procedimentos de reanimação na sala de parto / Association of ultrasonogtaphic cerebral alterations in preterm infants and resuscitation procedures

Objetivo: avaliar no prematuro a prevalência de hemorragia intraventricular (HIV) e leucomalácia periventricular (LPV) e sua associação aos procedeimentos de reanimação em sala de parto. Métodos: estudo prospectivo, tipo coorte, em crianças nascidas com peso igual ou menor que 1.500 g no Hospital das Clínicas da UFMG, no período de outubro de 2000 a fevereiro de 2002. Os exames ultra-sonográficos foram realizados pelo autor e os dados perinatais obtidos do prontuário do serviço. Resultados: dos 104 pacientes estudados, 14 (13,5 por cento) apresentaram HIV e 9 (8,7 por cento), LPV. Na análise multivariada por regressão logística, as variáveis que se associaram significativamente à HIV foram: uso de corticosteróide no pré-natal, dias de ventilação mecânica, tempo de bolsa rota e necessidade de ventilação compressão positiva na sala de parto. Associaram-se à LPV o peso de nascimento e a necessiddade de intubação na sala de parto. Conclusões: as alterações neurológicas derectáveis pela ultra-sonografia transfontanelar, principalmente as hemorragias perintraventriculares e a leucomalácia periventricular, têm alta prevalência entre os prematuros. A necessidade de ventilação co pressão positiva na sala de parto e a intubação associaram-se significativamente à HIV e à LPV.

Risk factors for intraventricular haemorrhage in very low birth weight infants.

OBJECTIVE: In a prospective study at Uludag University Hospital, 120 premature infants with birthweights of 1500 g or less were screened for intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) using cranial ultrasound. With the purpose of studying the incidence of IVH, the associated risk factors for these neonates were considered. METHODS: We studied all the very low birth weight infants admitted in our neonatal unit. We examined the following variables as risk factors for IVH: sex, birth weight, gestational age, Apgar score, mechanichal ventilation, hypercapnia, use of antenatal steroids, tocolytic drugs, vaginal versus cesarean section delivery, and inborn versus outborn status, vasopressor infusion (any vasoactive drug such as dopamine, dobutamine, or epinephrine) not associated with resuscitation, and surfactant administration. RESULTS: The incidence of IVH was 15% (18/120), 50% grade I (9/18), 17% grade II (3/18), 11% grade III (2/18), and 22% grade IV (4/18). IVH occurred mainly in the first week of life (78%; 14/18). The significant risk factors for IVH were found to be prematurity, outborn status, low 5 minute Apgar score, vaginal delivery, hypercapnia, mechanical ventilation, hypotension, and use of vasopressors on the day of admission. Significant protective factors against IVH included antenatal steroid therapy, cesarean section, magnesium sulfate tocolysis, increasing gestational age, and increasing birth weight. CONCLUSION: Our results concur with the notion that a tertiary center is the optimal location for delivery of the high risk neonate. Transportation of infants in utero to a perinatal center specializing in high risk-deliveries results in a decreased incidence of IVH when compared to infants transported postnatally. Aggressive resuscitation, with avoidance of hypercarbia, and rapid restoration of hypovolemia could potentially reduce the incidence of PVH/IVH.

A neuropatologia no período neonatal: análise de 1616 casos de necropsia / The neuropathology of neonatal period: analysis of 1616 autopsies

As lesöes do sistema nervoso central, resultantes da vulnerabilidade do encéfalo às condiçöes adversas durante a gestaçäo e após o nascimento, representam uma importante causa de morbimortalidade no período neonatal. Este estudo visa analisar a prevalência e os padröes das lesöes neuropatológicas em neomortos do Hospital de Clínicas de Curitiba. Utilizou-se como fonte de dados o Banco de Necropsia da Unidade de Patologia Perinatal e Pediátrica do Hospital de Clínicas da Universidade Federal do Paraná - Curitiba, que registra 5743 necropsias realizadas entre os anos de 1960 e 1995. Foram selecionados 2049 casos correspondentes aos laudos de necropsia dos neomortos, os quais foram classificados segundo a faixa etária e o padräo de lesäo neuropatológica. Caracterizou-se lesäo neuropatológica em 1616 casos (78,87 por cento), observando-se maior prevalência das hemorragias intracranianas (73,39 por cento), malformaçöes congênitas (4,27 por cento) e infecçöes (3,59 por cento). As hemorragias hipóxicas representaram a lesäo neuropatológica mais freqüente entre os neomortos, especialmente entre os prematuros. Houve diferença na prevalência quanto ao gênero apenas nas malformaçöes, que foram mais comuns no sexo feminino

Lacunar syndromes due to small haemorrhagic lesions.

OBJECTIVE: To study the frequency, clinical presentations and prognostic aspects of haemorrhagic lacunar syndromes. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 375 patients of cerebrovascular accidents admitted in neurology wards over 2 years were studied. Based on CT findings, 114 patients were diagnosed as intra cerebral haemorrhage (ICH). They were assessed in detail by careful history and examination of neurological status. Coagulation studies, MRI and angiography were done in selected cases. RESULTS: In 17 (15%) patients, size of hematoma was < 2 cms as seen in CT scan. The sites of these small haemorrhages were in basal ganglia (6 patients), internal capsule (3 patients), thalamus (5 patients) and pons (3 patients). Depending on their location they presented as pure motor stroke, pure sensory stroke, ataxic hemiparesis, sensorimotor stroke and clumsy hand-dysarthia syndrome. Three patients showed interesting phenomena like transient ischemic attack caused by bleed or previous disease showing improvement after bleed. Prognosis of these small ICH was excellent with 100% survival rate and lesser disability as shown by good functional recovery. CONCLUSIONS: Haemorrhagic lacunar syndromes are not just the statistical curiosities but could have significant prognostic bearing.