Computer tomography: the "resolving" intracerebral hemorrhage.

Two patients with a total of 4 intracerebral hemorrhages were examined by serial computer tomography (CT) over a period of up to 6 months, revealing a progressive decrease in lesion volume and density which eventually became less than that of the surrounding brain tissue. These changes were interpreted as complete clot resorption with cystic residue. However, postmortem examination revealed residual hematomas with no evidence of recent bleeding. Three of these correspond in size to those noted on the initial CT scans. Intraparenchymal hemorrhages have stages of organization and resolution which may simulate normal brain density without significant volumetric alteration.