Clinical profile of spontaneous cerebellar hemorrhage - An original article

ABSTRACT

Spontaneous cerebellar hemorrhages are rare when compared to cerebral hemorrhages. They are characterized by occipital headache, repeated vomiting, and ataxia of gait. In mild cases there may be only gait ataxia. There may be Dizziness or vertigo, paresis of conjugate lateral gaze towards the side of the lesion, forced deviation of the eyes to the opposite side, or an ipsilateral sixth nerve palsy, blepharospasm, and skew deviation. Dysarthria and dysphagia may occur. The patient often becomes stuporous and then comatose from brainstem compression or obstructive hydrocephalus; immediate surgical evacuation before brainstem compression occurs, may be lifesaving. The introduction of computed tomography (CT) scan, had brought about a sea change in diagnosis and management. The most significant prognostic factors determining the outcome at one month were the grade of quadrigeminal cistern obliteration on the initial CT scan and the Glasgow Coma Scale on admission. The introduction of drugs like nimodepine made all the difference in the outcomes. We hereby share our experience in managing 12 cases of spontaneous cerebellar hemorrhage.