Volume Measurement and Progression Surveillance of Intracerebral Haemorrhage Using Transcranial Ultrasound

This study investigates the use of transcranial ultrasound (TCU) for the surveillance of patients with intracerebral hemorrhages. Using transcranial ultrasound makes it possible to visualize and follow the bleeding progression through 3 points of the scull where the bone is thin enough to allow the penetration of sound waves. This can be done at bedside. Today the investigators do not know for sure if clinical parameters determine a haematoma expansion. TCU will allow us to follow the haematoma progression serially in the acute phase and relate the haematoma expansion to parameters like blood pressure, neurological status (NIHSS-score) and radiological signs of ongoing bleeding (spot signs) on CT-angiogram (CTA).

Hypothesis:

• Bedside ultrasound volume assessment is accurate in estimating the haematoma volume compared to computer tomography (CT) and can dynamically document the haematoma expansion.
• The haematoma expansion is accompanied by neurological deterioration and happens only with patients with CT demonstrated spot signs.
• The haematoma expansion is observed with patients with high blood pressure.

Aim of study:

• To validate the accuracy of ultrasound (US) compared to CT in estimating haematoma volume with ICH patients.
• To measure ICH volume serially in the acute phase using US and up to 12 hours aiming at:

• Describing the timing of the haematoma expansion.
• Relating to neurological deterioration, systemic blood pressure and detection of spot signs on CTA.

Inclusion criteria

• Patients admitted to Bispebjerg Hospital stroke unit with CT demonstrated spontaneous ICH
• Hospital admission within 4,5 hours after symptom onset
• CTA on admission
• GCS>8 (non-comatose)

Exclusion criteria

• Lack of informed consent
• Underlying Pathology (tumor, AVM, aneurism)
• Lack of temporal bone window