Chronic encapsulated intracerebral hematoma associated with cavernous angioma--case report.

An 80-year-old male presented with a chronic encapsulated intracerebral hematoma (CEIH) with surrounding edema under the right frontal lobe manifesting as slow exacerbation of disturbance of orientation and gait. He had a history of cerebral infarction with an asymptomatic cavernous angioma in the right frontal lobe. The CEIH was diagnosed as bleeding from the cavernous angioma, and surgical removal was performed. The hematoma was chronic and covered by a thick capsule. In addition, mass tissue covered with the organized hematoma was found near the capsule, which was excised and found to be a cavernous angioma. CEIH is a special type of intracerebral hemorrhage, and bleeding from a cavernous angioma is occasionally seen. CEIH should be considered in the case of a hemorrhagic intracranial lesion with a chronic, progressive course with capsule formation and edema around the lesion. The source of bleeding is unknown in about half of the reported cases, and occult vascular malformation may be involved, necessitating care in diagnosis.