BACKGROUND: Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is more than twice as common as subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and is more likely to result in death or major disability than cerebral infarction or SAH; having an advance age and hypertension are the most important risk factors for ICH. ICH occurs more frequently among men than women and is significantly more common among young and middle-aged blacks than whites of similar ages. Though this is the current scenario, Asian's ICH incidence is reported higher than those reported for whites in the United States and Europe.

OBJECTIVES AND METHODOLOGY: This prospective observational study of 74 hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage' patients admitted at Iloilo Mission Hospital (IMH) for the period of January 1, 2006 to October 31, 2006, aimed at determining the relationship of perilesional edema's role on the outcome of hypertensive patients with intracerebral hemorrhage. Also it seeks to determine the difference in the perlesional edema volume and the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of patients at the emergency room (ER) when grouped according to location of hemorrhage in the brain; to determine the difference in the edema volume when they are grouped according to deterioration and medical outcome; and to determine the degree of relationship between edema volume and GCS scores as well as edema volume and ICH volume. Environmental factors, variables such as age, sex, compliance to antihypertensive medications, hours of deterioration, and medical and surgical intervention done were also included. T-test for independent samples, one way ANOVA, Pearson's are the statistical tools employed to interpret the present date.

RESULTS: For the differences in edema size and ER GCS Scores, the results showed no significant difference in the edema size and the QCS score of patients at the ER when they are grouped according to location of bleeding. The table shows that the fewer patients who has bleeding on deep location have acceptable to good GCS score (
Human ; Intracranial Hemorrhage ; Perilesional Edema ; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

BACKGROUND: Transient ischemic attack is no longer considered a benign event but, rather a critical harbinger of impending stroke. Failure to quickly recognize and evaluate this warning sign could mean missing an opportunity to prevent permanent disability or death. There is no reliable way to determine if the abrupt onset of neurologic deficits represents reversible ischemia without subsequent brain damage or if ischemia will result in permanent damage to the brain. Rapid advances in computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technology in the last 25 years have contributed significantly to our understanding of the pathophysiology of clinically defined TIAs. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to (1) determine the cranial CT scan findings among TIA patients admitted at Iloilo Mission Hospital for the period of November 2003-November 2005; (2) determine the common clinical features of patients admitted for TIA; (3) determine the most common risk factors in patients with TIA; (4) to determine the proportion of TIA patients admitted who underwent cranial CT scan. METHODS: This is a retrospective study of patients admitted with the diagnosis of TIA from November 2003-November 2005. The clinical history and physical examination as well as cranial CT scan findings were noted. Other pertinent data collected included age, gender, and co-morbid factors. RESULTS: Thirty-seven patients were included in the study, 72.9 percent of whom were above 60 years old. There were 12 (32.4 percent) men and 25 (67.6 percent) women (M:F-1:2.1). Known risk factors that were seen in this series included hypertension (HTN) + hypercholesterolemia (35.1 percent), HPN (29.7 percent), HPN + hypercholesterolemia + diabetes mellitus (24.3 percent), hypercholesterolemia alone (5.4 percent); no risk factors (5.4 percent). The most common presenting symptoms were slurred speech, dizziness, and hemiparesis. The duration of symptoms noted in patients with TIA were: 6 hours or less in 54.1 percent, followed by 7-12 hours in 16.2 percent, 13-18 hours in 13.5 percent, and 19-24 hours in 16.2 percent. Cranial CT scansd showed abnormalities in 94.1 percent of TIA patients. There were cerebral and basal ganglia infarctions (32.4 percent) taken with the duration of 6 hours (52.9 percent). Other findings include: cerebellar infarct/multiple infarct (11.8 percent), and lacunar infarct/ bifrontal subdural effusion (2 percent). Two patients had a normal CT Scan. CONCLUSIONS: Cranial CT scan is advantageous in the diagnosis of TIA, because it is easily available and it provides evidence that either substantiates the diagnosis of cerebral ischemia or suggests an alternative diagnosis. Early CT studies demonstrated non-ischemic etiologies. Most of the TIA occur in less than 6 hours from the onset of symptoms. (Author)

Ischemic Attack, Transient ; Brain Ischemia