Imaging of Spontaneous Intracranial Hemorrhage

Abstract

Spontaneous intracranial hemorrhage is a common neurological emergency associated with high morbidity and a case fatality rate between 25% and 48% [1]. Incidence increases with age and is influenced by various factors including hypertension, smoking, and the use of anticoagulation. Hypertensive vasculopathy and cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) represent by far the most common etiologies in the older population. Vascular abnormalities, including ruptured aneurysms and arteriovenous fistulas or malformations, are important causes in younger individuals [2]. In children, arteriovenous malformations are the most common cause of spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage. Herein, we examine the major conditions that result in nontraumatic intracranial hemorrhage and review the role of imaging in terms of diagnosis and prognostic implications.