Intracerebral hemorrhages can occur anywhere within the brain. They may occur spontaneously or be the result of trauma. The hemorrhages may cause minimal symptoms. When they are located in vital areas, paralysis or speech problems may occur. The hemorrhages may enlarge in size to the point where they produce coma or death. The intracerebral hemorrhage may rupture into the ventricles and interfere with the circulation of spinal fluid.
Causes of Intracerebral Hemorrhage
Intracerebral hemorrhages occur from longstanding hypertension. They are the product of abnormalities of the blood vessels, such as vasculitis. Abnormal tangles of blood vessels, which are fragile, may spontaneously bleed. Tumors may hemorrhage within themselves. Aneurysms may rupture directly into the brain leading to an intracerebral hemorrhage.
Signs and Symptoms of Intracerebral Hemorrhage
Hemorrhages that occur in the upper part of the brain usually cause various degrees of weakness, numbness or paralysis. Difficulties with speech may also occur. Rupture into the ventricles may produce hydrocephalus. This accumulation of spinal fluid within the cavities of the brain may produce headaches, nausea and vomiting, coma and death. Hemorrhages in the cerebellum or brainstem usually produce severe symptoms. The brainstem carries all information through it in a concentrated areas. Therefore, weakness, numbness, balance problems, incoordination, double vision coma and death are common. Hemorrhages in the cerebellum, which is confined to the small compartment in the skull just above the spine, may compress the brainstem leading to altered consciousness, coma and death. Hydrocephalus may also occur with nausea, vomiting, headaches, coma and death.
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Medical Content Last Updated on 07/12/2008
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