Cerebellar hemorrhage (bleeding in brain)

Head | Neurology | Cerebellar hemorrhage (bleeding in brain) (Disease)


Description

A cerebral hemorrhage or intracerebral hemorrhage, ICH is a subtype of intracranial hemorrhage that occurs inside the brain tissue. Intracerebral hemorrhage can occur due to brain trauma, or it can happen in a spontaneous bleeding into the brain tissue called hemorrhagic stroke.

Patients with intraparenchymal bleeds have symptoms that correspond to the functions controlled by the area of the brain that is damaged by the bleed. They include: sudden onset of a severe headache that is often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, dizziness, problems with coordination, neck pain, confusion, and lethargy, difficulty speaking or understanding speech, difficulty swallowing , difficulty writing or reading, any change in vision, sensation changes and movement changes such as tremor and weakness.

Causes and Risk factors

An intracerebral hemorrhage can be caused by: abnormalities of the blood vessels like aneurysm or vascular malformation; high blood pressure; protein deposits along blood vessels. Other factors that raise the risk of intracerebral hemorrhage include the following: decreased levels of blood platelets; Hemophilia; Leukemia; cerebral amyloid or brain tumors; liver disease, associated with increased bleeding risk in general; use of aspirin or blood thinners called anticoagulant medications, such as warfarin.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Test include physical exam, blood test, head CT scan, and head MRI, liver and kidney function tests.

Treatment depends on the location, cause, and amount of the hemorrhage. Medicines used may include: anticonvulsants to control seizures, corticosteroids or diuretics to reduce swelling and painkillers. Surgery may be needed, if there is bleeding in the cerebellum or to repair possible aneurysm. ...