AUTHOR=Stretz Christoph , Gao Catherine , Greer David M. , Loomis Caitlin , Gilmore Emily J. , Kundishora Adam J. , Matouk Charles C. , Hwang David Y. 

TITLE=Intracerebral Hemorrhage with Intraventricular Extension—Getting the Prognosis Right Early

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Neurology

VOLUME=8

YEAR=2017

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/neurology/articles/10.3389/fneur.2017.00418

DOI=10.3389/fneur.2017.00418

ISSN=1664-2295

ABSTRACT=<sec id="ST1"><title>Background</title><p>Early accurate outcome prognostication for patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and accompanying intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) is often challenging (<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="B1">1</xref>). Acute hydrocephalus often contributes to a poor clinical exam (<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="B2">2</xref>) and can portend significant morbidity and mortality (<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="B3">3</xref>). Accordingly, the inpatient neurologist may feel inclined to recommend limitations of care for an ICH patient admitted with a large IVH burden and poor exam.</p></sec><sec id="ST2"><title>Case presentation</title><p>We present a patient with significant IVH and minimal ICH who deteriorated rapidly to coma after presentation. Despite this exam, an initially non-functioning diversion of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and temporary halt of further attempts of CSF diversion in the setting of an early “do not resuscitate order,” our patient gradually improved and, with supportive ICU care and rehabilitation, was able to communicate and ambulate with assistance at 12 weeks.</p></sec><sec id="ST3"><title>Conclusion</title><p>Patients with ICH with IVH do have the capacity to improve dramatically even with relatively conservative management. Unless previous limitations of care exist, we recommend that early judgments of prognosis for patients with ICH and/or IVH should be delayed for at least 72 h until the patient’s clinical trajectory over time is better understood.</p></sec>