Nosology of non traumatic intracerebral haemorrhage

Abstract

Spontaneous intracranial haemorrhage is a serious medical emergency, representing the 20% of all the hospitalisations for stroke. It requires rapid diagnosis and management. This article offers an overview of this disease. Causes are listed, such as rupture of an aneurysm or arteriovenous malformation, amyloid angiopathy, lipohyalinosis, and microaneurysms. Neuroimaging studies, such as CT and MRI, are required for diagnosis; in addition neuroimaging can be useful in understanding the type of haemorrhage, its aetiology, and its pathophysiology. The treatment, along with surgery, includes hypertension and intracranial pressure control, glucose and temperature monitoring, and the administration of osmotic agents.