Hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage. Epidemiology and clinical pathology.

Hypertension is the major risk factor for intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and is present in about 50% of patients with ICH. Common clinical findings are focal neurologic deficits at onset, gradually progressive deterioration, and the presence of headache, vomiting, and depressed level of consciousness. The clinical syndromes of ICH at common locations are reviewed. CT scanning has dramatically changed our thinking about ICH and allowed better correlation of neurologic findings with lesions at various sites.