Mortality Factors in Crush Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Crush Syndrome is a major cause of morbidity and mortality following large-scale catastrophic earthquakes. Since there are no randomized controlled studies on Crush Syndrome, knowledge on this subject is limited to expert experience. The primary objective is to analyze the epidemiological and demographic characteristics, clinical outcomes, and mortality factors of earthquake victims after the Pazarcik and Elbistan earthquakes on February 6, 2023. METHODS: This cross-sectional and observational retrospective study evaluated 610 earthquake victims who presented to our center between February 6 and April 30, 2023. Among these patients, 128 with Crush Syndrome were included in the study. Patient information was gathered from hospital records during their stay and from national registries upon referral. The primary outcome was to identify risk factors for mortality. Demographic and laboratory data were analyzed by acute kidney injury (AKI) stages; mortality-affecting factors were identified through regression analysis. RESULTS: Of the 128 Crush Syndrome patients (100 adults, 28 children), 64 were female. The AKI rate was 32.8%. Among patients with AKI, the frequency of hemodialysis requirement was 69%, and the mortality rate was 14.2%. The overall mortality rate for patients with Crush Syndrome was 4.6%, compared to 3.9% (19/482) in earthquake victims without Crush Syndrome (p=0.705). Notably, low systolic blood pressure at admission was the only factor significantly affecting mortality in Crush Syndrome patients (Hazard Ratio [HR]: 1.088, p=0.021, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]). CONCLUSION: Our study highlights low systolic blood pressure upon admission as a significant risk factor for increased mortality in Crush Syndrome patients. This finding may contribute to the literature by emphasizing the importance of monitoring blood pressure under rubble and administering more aggressive fluid therapy to patients with low systolic blood pressure.

Effect of decompressive hemicraniectomy in patients with acute middle cerebral artery infarction

Background/aim: We aimed to determine in which cases this procedure may be more effective based on the data of patients who underwent decompressive hemicraniectomy (DHC). Material and methods: Overall, 47 patients who underwent DHC due to acute middle cerebral artery (MCA) infarction between January 2014 and january 2019 were retrospectively investigated. These patients were divided into two groups: those who died after DHC (Group A) and those who survived DHC (Group B). The groups were compared in terms of various parameters. We investigated whether the patient's modified Rankin scale (mRS) status changed depending on age (> 60 and < 60 years). Results: The median age of all patients was 65 (37­80) years; groups A and B had median ages of 66.5 (37­80) and 61 (44­79) years (p = 0.111), respectively; 55.3% patients were male. The elapsed times until hospitalization after the onset of symptoms were 4.5 and 3 h in groups A and B, respectively (p = 0.014). The median GCS score at the time of admission was 7 (5­12) and 10 (8­14) in groups A and B, respectively (p = 0.0001). At the time of admission, 63.3% patients in group A had anisocoria, whereas no patient in group B had anisocoria (p = 0.0001). In postoperative period, 40% patients in group A and all patients in group B received AC/AA treatment. The survival of patients aged < 60 and > 60 years who underwent DHC for MCA infraction was 61.5% and 26.5%, respectively (p = 0,041). The median mRS of patients < 60 and > 60 years were 4 (1­6) and 6 (1­6), respectively (p = 0.018). Conclusion: Age, DHC timing, and elapsed time until hospitalization or access to treatment directly affect the functional outcome and survival in MCA-infarcted patients who underwent DHC. In patients in whom the medical treatment fails, early DHC administration will increase survival without waiting for neurological worsening once herniation is detected radiologically.

Significance of the Cerebellopontine Cistern Cross-Sectional Area and Trigeminal Nerve Anatomy in Trigeminal Neuralgia: An Anatomical Study Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

AIM: To evaluate the relationship between trigeminal neuralgia (TN) and potential magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-related measurements in patients with TN. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 104 patients with TN was performed. MRI studies of 98 healthy controls were included in the study to compare the parameters with TN patients’ measurements. MRI measurements of cerebellopontine cistern (CPC) cross-sectional area, trigeminal-pontine angle (TPA) width, and trigeminal nerve cisternal segment length and thickness were assessed on both symptomatic and asymptomatic sides using 1.5T MRI with constructive interference in steady-state sequences. The images were interpreted by two radiologists blinded to the affected sides of the patients. RESULTS: There were significant differences between the symptomatic and asymptomatic sides in terms of mean trigeminal nerve length (8.8 ± 2.34 mm vs. 9.39 ± 2.29 mm; respectively, p=0.001) and thickness (20.9 ± 9.6 mm2 vs. 25 ± 9.98 mm2, respectively; p < 0.001). The median cerebellopontine cistern cross-sectional area was considerably lower on the symptomatic side compared with the asymptomatic side [201 mm2 (interquartile range=93) vs. 224.5 mm2 (interquartile range=77), respectively; p < 0.001]. There were no significant differences between the trigeminal-pontine angle width on either side (38.32 ± 10.38 vs. 38.78 ± 10.9, respectively; p=0.679). There were no statistically significant differences between the right and left sides regarding these parameters in the control group. CONCLUSION: Smaller CPC cross-sectional area, trigeminal nerve length, and trigeminal nerve thickness on MRI were demonstrated to commonly exist on the symptomatic side in patients with TN. We suggest that this narrow space may increase the risk of vascular compression on the nerve.

Treatment of Cavernous Sinus Hemangiomas with Gamma Knife Radiosurgery as a Primary and Sole Therapy.

AIM: To evaluate the effectiveness of Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GKRS) as the primary and only therapy for the treatment of cavernous sinus hemangiomas (CSH) and to report the tumor volume dynamics, course of symptoms, and complications after stereotactic radiosurgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 10 CSH patients were treated with GKRS using a median margin dose of 14.2Gy (range 13-16Gy). The median follow-up period was 42 months (range 12-85 months). Tumor volumes were calculated from magnetic resonance images before treatment and compared with those after treatment. RESULTS: Prior to the treatment, all patients complained of headache and retro-orbital pain, and six patients complained of diplopia due to abducens nerve paralysis. Within six months of treatment, all patients declared some improvement in headache and retro-orbital pain, and abducens nerve paralysis recovered fully in all six patients. At the first-year follow-up, at least 74% decrease in tumor volume was noted with average tumor volume reduction of 90.2% in all treated patients. Tumors less than 6 cm3 in volume nearly disappeared at 24 months. No tumor progression, re-growth, or radiation-induced adverse effects were noted in our patients. CONCLUSION: Characteristic radiological features that enable identification of CSH avert the need for an open biopsy for diagnosis. Under suitable circumstances, GKRS may be considered as the primary and only therapy for CSH. GKRS has favorable outcomes in the treatment of CSH, demonstrating good tumor shrinkage, symptom recovery, and low incidence of side effects.

The effects of infusion of perineural pregabalin in the experimentally created sciatic nerve anastomosis in rats.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECT: The aim of our study was to assess the effect of perineural pregabalin administration on the success of coaptation in experimental rat sciatic nerve anastomosis by measuring the expression of anti-inflammatory cytokine TGF-ß. It is thus to provide alternative solutions to this problem which we often see in clinical practice and whose results are not satisfactory. METHODS: In our study, 40 adult, male, Sprague-Dawley rats; 5 groups were randomly assigned. Group 1: This group's sciatic nerves were dissected and the surgical site was sutured. Group 2: Rats whose sciatic nerves are sectioned transversely through the full-thickness and end-to-end anastomosis is performed and no additional procedure is performed. Group 3: Intraperitoneal administration of 30 mg / kg pregabalin for 7 days with anastomosis. Group 4: 30 mg/kg pregabalin given orally for 7 days with anastomosis. Group 5: Given 10 microliters / h pregabalin subcutaneous perineural infusion for 7 days with anastomosis. After 60 days of surgery, the experiment was terminated with high dose thiopental (50 mg/kg). The right sciatic nerves of all animals were taken and sections obtained were examined immunohistopathologically. RESULTS: Inflammation was significantly less in the 5th group than in the other groups. TGF-ß expression in Groups 3, 4, and 5 is significantly higher than Groups 1 and 2, which also supports this situation. Although the expression in group 5 was not statistically significant, the number of TGF-ß expression was higher than Groups 3 and 4. In terms of immunohistochemical properties; 1 to 3, 1 to 4, 1 to 5, 2 to 5 groups were statistically significant (p <0,05). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, perinural infusion of pregabalin into the anastomotic region has not been previously tried in the literature and it has been found that immunohistochemistry provides positive contributions to healing of anastomosis. More research is needed to demonstrate that this effect is superior to other methods of administration of the drug. KEY WORDS: Anastomosis, Peripheral nerve, Perineural, Pregabalin, Sciatic nerve.

Effect of gabapentin on primary surgical treatment of experimental sciatic nerve injury in rats.

BACKGROUND: The aim of our study is to minimize the morbidity related to nerve injury by determining the protective effects of gabapentin in experimental sciatic nerve injury and end-to-end anastomosis model in rats and to guide clinical studies on this subject. METHODS: In our study, 40 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into the following five groups: I: Only surgical intervention was applied; II: The sciatic nerve was cut properly and was repaired by end-to-end anastomosis. No additional procedure was performed; III: A single dose of gabapentin at 30 mg/kg was given after anastomosis; IV: 30 mg/kg gabapentin was given for 3 days after anastomosis; and V: 30 mg/kg gabapentin was given for 7 days after anastomosis. The experiment was terminated with high-dose thiopental (50 mg/kg) 60 days after the surgical intervention. The right sciatic nerve was taken from all animals. The obtained sections were examined immunohistopathologically. RESULTS: Immunohistochemical properties and Schwann cell proliferation were found to be statistically significantly lower in the control group than in the other groups. Schwann cell proliferation was higher in Group 3 than in Group 5. Immunohistochemical changes were significantly lower in Group 4 than in Group 3. Axonal degeneration was also higher in Group 4 than in Group 3. CONCLUSION: Gabapentin promotes neurological recovery histopathologically in peripheral nerve injury due to its neuroprotective properties. Our study results show that gabapentin can be used as an adjunctive therapy to primary surgical treatment after peripheral nerve injury.

Multiple Extraneural Metastases of Anaplastic Oligodendroglioma.

Oligodendrogliomas (ODGs) is a diffuse glial tumor that constitutes 4.2% of all brain tumors. Extraneural metastases, sometimes seen in glioblastoma multiforme, are extremely rare in ODG. In this report, we present a 63-year-old male patient who was diagnosed with Grade 3 ODG and had an intracranial mass resected in our clinic 4 years ago. The subject now presented with low back pain and was found to have widespread metastases. The prolongation of patient survival by current treatment regimens has revealed a growing number of ODG patients with metastases. We believe that back pain complaints in patients with ODG should be viewed as an indicator of metastasis.

Prognostic value of the Glasgow Prognostic Score for glioblastoma multiforme patients treated with radiotherapy and temozolomide.

INTRODUCTION: To evaluate the prognostic value of the Glasgow Prognostic Score (GPS), the combination of C-reactive protein (CRP) and albumin, in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) patients treated with radiotherapy (RT) and concurrent plus adjuvant temozolomide (GPS). METHODS: Data of newly diagnosed GBM patients treated with partial brain RT and concurrent and adjuvant TMZ were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were grouped into three according to the GPS criteria: GPS-0: CRP < 10 mg/L and albumin > 35 g/L; GPS-1: CRP < 10 mg/L and albumin < 35 g/L or CRP > 10 mg/L and albumin > 35 g/L; and GPS-2: CRP > 10 mg/L and albumin < 35 g/L. Primary end-point was the association between the GPS groups and the overall survival (OS) outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 142 patients were analyzed (median age: 58 years, 66.2% male). There were 64 (45.1%), 40 (28.2%), and 38 (26.7%) patients in GPS-0, GPS-1, and GPS-2 groups, respectively. At median 15.7 months follow-up, the respective median and 5-year OS rates for the whole cohort were 16.2 months (95% CI 12.7-19.7) and 9.5%. In multivariate analyses GPS grouping emerged independently associated with the median OS (P < 0.001) in addition to the extent of surgery (P = 0.032), Karnofsky performance status (P = 0.009), and the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group recursive partitioning analysis (RTOG RPA) classification (P < 0.001). The GPS grouping and the RTOG RPA classification were found to be strongly correlated in prognostic stratification of GBM patients (correlation coefficient: 0.42; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The GPS appeared to be useful in prognostic stratification of GBM patients into three groups with significantly different survival durations resembling the RTOG RPA classification.

Brain Metastasis Of Penile Angiosarcoma.

Angiosarcoma is a rare malignancy originating from vascular endothelial cells. Brain metastasis of aniosarcomas are uncommon up to the literature. Penile angiosarcomas are also seldom among all anjiosarcomas. A case with penile angiosarcoma with confirmed brain metastasis is aimed to be reported and contribute to the literature for similar cases.

Safety and Efficacy of Ventriculostomy Procedures under Dual Antiplatelet Therapy in Patients Treated With Stent Assisted Coiling In Subarachnoid Hemorrhage.

AIM: Stent assisted coilling (SAC) is an alternative in the treatment of ruptured aneurysms. Stenting requires the use of dual antiplatelet agents. Hydrocephaly is a complication of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) requiring ventriculostomy. Antiplatelet treatment reveal a risk of hemorrhage in ventriculostomy. Anti-aggregant effect starts at least four hours after the initial doses of treatment. However, in many studies, ventriculostomy was performed before antiplatelet treatment and the hemorrhagic complications were related to the procedure. The aim of this study was to determine the risk of ventriculostomy related hemorrhage in patients with impaired thrombocyte function and to contribute to the literature. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between 2011 and 2016, 53 patients treated with SAC due to SAH in our clinic were retrospectively evaluated. Hemorrhagic complication risks due to antiplatelet therapy related to ventriculostomy were retrospectively evaluated Results: All of the ventricular catheter procedures were performed at least 1 day after the dual therapy (in average 4,3 days after SAC). On 5 patients 1 ventriculostomy was performed, on 2 patients 2, and on 1 patient 6 ventriculostomies were performed. Although radiological hemorrhage was present on the catheter tract in 4 patients, no temporary or permanent neruologic deficit was observed. CONCLUSION: Impaired thrombocyte functions pose a risk in ventriculostomy. Also, evaluating the risk of hemorrhage before the antiplatelet treatment reaches its full effect may lead to false results. Studies with small patient groups with antiagregant therapy and impaired thrombocyte functions also contribute to the literature. Larger studies regarding this subject are needed.

Prognostic Impact of Histologic Subtype in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients Treated with Gamma Knife Radiosurgery: Retrospective Analysis of 104 Patients.

AIM: In this study, factors affecting survival, local failure, distant brain failure, whole brain failure and whole-brain radiation therapy (WBRT) free survival according to histological subtypes were investigated in patients with brain metastases from non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients with positive pathology reports for adenocarcinoma (ACA) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) were included in the study. Seventy-eight ACA and 26 SCC patients were included in the study. Patients with previous history of cerebral metastasis surgery and WBRT were excluded from the study. RESULTS: The median survival was calculated as 12.6 months for patients with ACA and 5.9 months for patients with SCC. One-year distant brain failure was calculated as 65.1% in ACA patients and 39.6% in SCC patients. One-year whole brain failure was calculated as 58.1% in ACA patients and 39.6% in SCC patients. The one-year freedom from WBRT rate was calculated as 72.8% in ACA patients and 56.3% in SCC patients. SCC histology was considered as a significant factor in deterioration of overall survival in multivariate analysis. SCC histology, the increase in the number of metastases and RPA class were factors that caused an increase in distant brain failure. Also, SCC histology, the increase in the number of metastases and RPA class were factors that caused an increase in whole brain failure. CONCLUSION: SCC histology may be an important prognostic factor for overall survival. Also, due to high distant brain failure rate in SCC histology, WBRT can be added to treatment early.

Effects of Atorvastatin on Experimental Spinal Cord Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in Rabbits.

AIM: Extent of secondary injury is the determinant of tissue destruction and functional worsening after primary spinal cord injury (SCI). Data have accumulated on alleviation of secondary injury in SCI from many studies on the subject. Besides its cholesterol lowering effects, statins are known to have anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects which are the main targets of spinal cord research. This study aims to evaluate the effects of atorvastatin on experimental spinal cord ischemia-reperfusion injury. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty adult male New Zealand rabbits were allocated into control, ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) and treatment groups. Treatment group received 5 mg/kg of atorvastatin via lavage for the preceding 14 days. Other groups received placebo during the same time period. After two weeks, animals in the I/R and treatment groups underwent abdominal temporary aorta occlusion for 30 minutes. Neurological condition of the animals was recorded during the 48 hours of observation. Afterwards, animals were sacrificed and levels of malondialdehyde, glutathione and nitric oxide in spinal cord tissue and plasma and the histopathological tissue changes were determined. RESULTS: Animals in the treatment groups demonstrated significantly better results than the I/R group regarding biochemical markers. Neurological evaluation using the Tarlov scale demonstrated significantly better results at the 48th hour in treatment group. Histopathological results were also better in the treatment groups. CONCLUSION: Results of this study demonstrate the neuroprotective effects of atorvastatin. Atorvastatin has favorable effects on biochemical markers of oxidative stress in SCI. Further studies with larger cohorts and different time periods are also needed.

Massive Calcified Cerebellar Pilocytic Astrocytoma with Rapid Recurrence : A Rare Case.

Pilocytic astrocytomas (PAs) are World Heath Organization Grade I tumors and are most common in children. PA calcification is not a common finding and has been reported more frequently in the optic nerve, hypothalamic/thalamus and superficially located cerebral tumors. We present a cerebellar PA in a 3-year-old male patient with cystic components and massive calcification areas. The residual tumor grew rapidly after the first operation, and the patient was operated on again. A histopathological examination revealed polar spongioblastoma-like cells. Massive calcification is not a common feature in PAs and can lead to difficulties in radiological and pathological differential diagnoses.

Analysis of nervous fiber, muscle, and blood vessels using their ulraviolet near infrared reflectance characteristics.

Injury to the nervous system can lead to irreversible problems as nervous tissues have limited regenerative capability. Therefore it is imperative to find an objective, reliable, cheap, and easy-to-apply method that separates nervous fibers from muscles and blood vessels. The aim of this study is to determine structural differences that can aid in easy and reliable identification of nervous fibers. We analyzed light reflectance from these tissues from 230 nm to 1000 nm and found that in the range of 400 nm-600 nm nervous fibers have higher reflectance in comparison to others. Therefore, we generated distinct features in this range and utilized support vector machine to automatically classify samples. Classification performance demonstrated that light reflectance is a good candidate feature that can help to classify nervous tissue.

A extremely rare case of cervical intramedullary granuloma due to Brucella accompanied by Chiari Type-1 malformation.

Chiari Type-1 malformation is displacement of the cerebellar tonsils through the foramen magnum into the cervical spine and usually does not exceed the level of C2. It is 50-70% associated with syringomyelia. Nervous system involvement due to brucellosis is called neurobrucellosis, and neurological involvement rate has been reported an average of 3-5%, ranging between 3% and 25% at different series. Intramedullary abscess or granuloma due to Brucella is extremely rare. Hence far, six cases have been reported in the literature and only two of these cases were reported as intramedullary granuloma. This case is presented in order to remind the importance of the cervical cord granuloma which was presented once before in the literature and to emphasize the importance of evaluation of patient history, clinical and radiological findings together in the evaluation of a patient.

Non-invasive diagnosis of stress urinary incontinence sub types using wavelet analysis, shannon entropy and principal component analysis.

Urinary incontinence is a common female disorder. Although generally not a serious condition, it negatively affects the lifestyle and daily activity of subjects. Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is the most versatile of several incontinence types and is distinguished by physical degeneration of the continence-providing mechanism. Some surgical treatment methods exist, but the success of the surgery mainly depends upon a correct diagnosis. Diagnosis has two major steps: subjects who are suffering from true SUI must be identified, and the SUI sub-type must be determined, because each sub-type is treated with a different surgery. The first step is straightforward and uses standard identification methods. The second step, however, requires invasive, uncomfortable urodynamic studies that are difficult to apply. Many subjects try to cope with the disorder rather than seek treatment from health care providers, in part because of the invasive diagnostic methods. In this study, a diagnostic method with a success rate comparable to that of urodynamic studies is presented. This new method has some advantages over the current one. First, it is noninvasive; data are collected using Doppler ultrasound recording. Second, it requires no special tools and is easy to apply, relatively inexpensive, faster and more hygienic.

Comparison of E-selectin and the other inflammatory markers in lumbar disc herniation: a new promising therapeutical window for radicular pain.

STUDY DESIGN: Histopathologic and immunohistochemical analysis of the herniated disc specimens obtained from 50 patients who had unilateral persistent radicular pain or unilateral radicular motor paresis. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of inflammatory cells in lumbar disc herniations (LDH) and compare the prevalence of leukocyte adhesion protein "E-selectin" with other inflammatory cells such as T cells, B cells, and macrophages. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND: Studies on inflammatory cells and biochemical mediators of inflammation have suggested that these factors may play an important role in pathophysiology of radicular pain, and the medical therapy was formed against to block these cells and inflammatory cytokines. METHODS: The herniated disc specimens obtained from 50 patients who had unilateral persistent radicular pain or unilateral radicular motor paresis were microscopically examined after staining with monoclonal antibodies of CD20, CD45, CD68, and E-selectin. Relative risk assessment of the straight-leg raising (SLR) test positivity or negativity with CD20, CD45, CD68, and E-selectin staining was investigated. RESULTS: Our data emphasize that, the cases with positive SLR test had higher rates of immunostaining with E-selectin and CD45. There were no statistically significant relationship between SLR positivity and CD20 and CD68. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that E-selectin is as valuable as the other well-known inflammatory markers in the pathogenesis of LDH. In our opinion, beside the well-known nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antagonists targeting E-selectin can be potentially effective therapeutics for controlling inflammation in LDH.

Five-year follow-up results for patients diagnosed with anaplastic astrocytoma and effectiveness of concomitant therapy with temozolomide for recurrent anaplastic astrocytoma.

BACKGROUND: Anaplastic astrocytoma (AA; WHO grade-III) patients determination of prognostic factors helps generating multimodal therapy protocols. For this purpose, in the Baskent University, Adana Medical Research Center, specific characteristics of AA patients who have surgery were retrospectively investigated and factors which affect prognosis has been determined. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between January 2005 and 2009, 20 patients who have AA have been evaluated retrospectively. Totally, 20 patients had 31 operations. Sixteen patients had only adjuvant radiation therapy (RT). In the postoperative period, 8 patients received adjuvant RT. Nine of 10 patients with tumor recurrence received concomitant therapy with temozolomide (ConcT with TMZ) protocol. No adjuvant therapy protocol could be applied in three patients with poor general condition in the postoperative period. RESULTS: Median survival for patients died was 16±17 months; one year survival was 75% and five year survival 25%. After univariate analysis, preoperative Karnofsky performance score (KPS) was ≥80 (P=0.005577(*)), postoperative KPS was ≥80 (P=0.003825(*)), type of tumor resection (P=0.001751(*)), multiple operations (P=0.006233(*)), and ConcT with TMZ protocol (P=0,005766(*)) were all positive prognostic factors which extend the survival. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the multivariate analysis did not put forward an independent prognostic factor acting on the survival period (P>0.05).

Spontaneous primary intraventricular hemorrhage in adults: clinical data, etiology and outcome.

AIM: Primary intraventricular hemorrhage (PIVH), bleeding in the ventricular system without a recognizable parenchymal component, is a rare neurological disorder. The purpose of this study was to identify clinical features, risk factors, etiology and outcome of patients with PIVH. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical data, complementary examinations, outcome and computed tomography (CT) IVH score of 24 patients in our hospital from 2004 to 2008. We identified 24 patients with the inclusion criteria of non-traumatic PIVH. Their mean age was 60.6+/-17.4 years (range 38-79). Fourteen patients were male and 10 were female. RESULTS: The major symptoms included headache (n=24), loss of consciousness (n=6), confusion and disorientation (n=14), nausea/vomiting (n=10). Angiography revealed vascular malformations in five patients (21%). Other possible causative factors were hypertension in 12 patients (50%) and clotting disorder in one. The aetiology remained unknown in six patients. Most PIVH patients had associated hydrocephalus (58%) and 37% of the patients required ventricular drainage. In-hospital mortality was high (41%) and a FOUR score