Optimal Surgical Timing of Aspiration for Spontaneous Supratentorial Intracerebral Hemorrhage

OBJECTIVE: Minimally invasive techniques such as stereotactic aspiration have been regarded as promising alternative methods to replace craniotomy in the treatment of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). The aim of this study was to identify the optimal timing of stereotactic aspiration and analyze the factors affecting the clinical outcome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study included 81 patients who underwent stereotactic aspiration for spontaneous supratentorial ICH at single institution. Volume of hematoma was calculated based on computed tomography scan at admission, just before aspiration, immediately after aspiration, and after continuous drainage. The neurologic outcome was compared with Glasgow outcome scale (GOS) score. RESULTS: The mean volume ratio of residual hematoma was 59.5% and 17.6% immediately after aspiration and after continuous drainage for an average of 2.3 days, respectively. Delayed aspiration group showed significantly lower residual volume ratio immediately after aspiration. However, there was no significant difference in the residual volume ratio after continuous drainage. The favorable outcome of 1-month GOS 4 or 5 was significantly better in the group with delayed aspiration after more than 7 days (p = 0.029), despite no significant difference in postoperative 6-months GOS score. A factor which has significant correlation with postoperative 6-months favorable outcome was the final hematoma volume ratio after drainage (p = 0.028). CONCLUSION: There is no difference in final residual volume of hematoma or 6-months neurologic outcome according to the surgical timing of hematoma aspiration. The only factor affecting the postoperative 6-months

Usefulness of Middle Meningeal Embolization to Prevent Recurrent Spontaneous Chronic Subdural Hemorrhage

Spontaneous chronic subdural hematoma (SDH) is a rare condition that could develop in association with hematologic disease. A 66-year-old male developed a chronic SDH as an initial manifestation of chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML). He experienced recurrent chronic subdural hemorrhage and newly developed intracerebral hemorrhage. Considering the scheduled long-term chemotherapy, bilateral middle meningeal artery (MMA) embolization was performed to prevent recurrence of subdural hemorrhage. Although pancytopenia occurred during the 7 months' follow-up period, residual chronic subdural hemorrhage was absorbed without recurrence. To our best knowledge, this is the first report of CMML with spontaneous chronic SDH. MMA embolization is potentially a useful and safe treatment option in the challenging clinical situations with underlying pathologies.