OBJECTIVES: Spontaneous cerebellar hematomas (CH) represent 5%-10% of intracranial hemorrhaging. We describe the existing cardiovascular risk factors, clinical presentation of CH and its relationship with mortality and the association between the treatment type (conservative medical or neurosurgical treatment) and the subsequent course of the patients. DESIGN AND SCOPE: Observational study of patients diagnosed of CH admitted over three years in an Intensive Care Unit of a level III Hospital. PATIENTS: Fifty-six consecutive patients diagnosed of CH. VARIABLES OF PRINCIPAL INTEREST: We studied the cardiovascular risk factors, presentation form (with Glasgow Coma Scale- GCS), hematoma size and site, and morbidity-mortality of the patients (with the Glasgow Outcome Scale--GOS). RESULTS: Fisher's exact test, Chi squared, calculation of Spearman's coefficient between certain variables and logistic regression analysis were used. Hematoma size, GCS on admission and presence of hydrocephaly obtained statistical significance. Conservative medical treatment has greater mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with GCS < or = 8 and hematoma size > or = 3 cm benefit from surgical treatment. Initial GCS and vermian site are mortality predictor factors. There is no more morbidity due to surgical treatment.
OBJECTIVES:Spontaneous cerebellar hematomas (CH) represent 5%-10% of intracranial hemorrhaging. We describe the existing cardiovascular risk factors, clinical presentation of CH and its relationship with mortality and the association between the treatment type (conservative medical or neurosurgical treatment) and the subsequent course of the patients. DESIGN AND SCOPE: Observational study of patients diagnosed of CH admitted over three years in an Intensive Care Unit of a level III Hospital. PATIENTS: Fifty-six consecutive patients diagnosed of CH. VARIABLES OF PRINCIPAL INTEREST: We studied the cardiovascular risk factors, presentation form (with Glasgow Coma Scale- GCS), hematoma size and site, and morbidity-mortality of the patients (with the Glasgow Outcome Scale--GOS). RESULTS: Fisher's exact test, Chi squared, calculation of Spearman's coefficient between certain variables and logistic regression analysis were used. Hematoma size, GCS on admission and presence of hydrocephaly obtained statistical significance. Conservative medical treatment has greater mortality. CONCLUSIONS:Patients with GCS < or = 8 and hematoma size > or = 3 cm benefit from surgical treatment. Initial GCS and vermian site are mortality predictor factors. There is no more morbidity due to surgical treatment.