Intracerebral hemorrhage differential diagnosis

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Sara Mehrsefat, M.D. [2]

Overview

Differential diagnosis of intracerebral hemorrhage may include ischemic stroke, SAH, TIA, acute hypertensive crisis, sentinel headache, sinusitis, hypoglycemia, Cerebral venous thrombosis, spontaneous intracranial hypotension, and reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome. It is clinically difficult to distinguish ICH or subarchnoid hemorrhage (SAH) from an ischemic stroke. However, the symptoms like headache, nausea, vomiting, and depressed level of consciousness should raise the suspicion for a hemorrhagic event compared to ischemic stroke.

Differential diagnosis

It is clinically difficult to distinguish an ICH from an ischemic stroke. However, the symptoms like headache, nausea, vomiting, and depressed level of consciousness should raise the suspicion for a hemorrhagic event compared to ischemic stroke.

Disease	Findings
Ischemic stroke	Occurs when a clot or a mass clogs a blood vessel and cutting off the blood flow to the brain Present as a Thrombotic stroke (thrombus develops at the clogged part of the vessel) Embolic strokes (blood clot that forms at another locations usually the heart and large arteries of the upper chest and neck, and travels to the brain) Urgent evaluation with brain / neurovascular imaging (such as MRI, CT, CTA, MRA), cardiac, and metabolic evaluation is often necessary
transient ischemic attack (TIA)	Caused by a temporary clot which often called a “mini stroke” Occurs rapidly and presents as a sudden onset of a focal neurologic symptom/sign lasting less than 24 hours Urgent evaluation with brain / neurovascular imaging (such as MRI, CT, CTA, MRA), cardiac, and metabolic evaluation is often necessary
Acute hypertensive crisis/Malignant hypertension	Presents as significantly elevated blood pressure (systolic pressure ≥180 and/or diastolic pressure ≥120 mmHg) with or wihout acute end-organ injury Urgent evaluation with MRI and CT of the brain, serum creatinine, urinalysis, cardiac (EKG, chest x ray, and cardiac enzymes) and metabolic evaluation is often necessary
Sentinel headache	Caused by small aneurysmal leaks into the subarachnoid space Presents as a episode of headache similar to that accompanying subarachnoid hemorrhage (days to weeks prior to aneurysm rupture) and focal neurologic symptoms and signs are usually absent
Sinusitis	Presents with acute and subacute headaches and facial pain
Hypoglycemia
Pituitary apoplexy	Caused by pituitary gland infarct or hemorrhage secondary to pitutiery adenoma Presents with acute headache, change in mental status, ophthalmoplegia, and decreased visual acuity Brain CT and MRI are the preferred imaging techniques
Cerebral venous thrombosis	Presents with isolated gradual onset headache or in combination with papilledema, seizures, bilateral focal deficits, and change in mental status Brain MRI with venography should be considered
Colloid cyst of the third ventricle	Caused by an acute obstructive hydrocephalus secondary to sudden obstruction in cerebrospinal fluid flow by the cyst Presents with an acute onset fronto-parietal or fronto-occipital headache which relieved by taking the supine position and may be associated with nausea, vomiting, mental status changes, seizures, coma Head CT or MRI of the brain are usually diagnostic
Cervical artery dissection	It usulay occurs spontaneously or after head and neck injury Presents with gradual onset head and neck pain with a local manifestations (such as Horner syndrome, pulsatile tinnitus, bruit, or cranial neuropathies) Neuroimagings are usually preferred (brain MRI with MRA and cranial CT with CTA)
Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome	Occurs spontaneously and trigerred by sexual activity, exertion, emotion, and constriction of the cerebral arteries Presents with acute severe headache with or without focal deficits or seizures that resolves spontaneously within 12 weeks
Spontaneous intracranial hypotension	Presents with orthostatic headaches, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, diplopia, interscapular pain Caused by cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage from spinal meningeal defects or dural tears Brain MRI is the preferred imaging techniques

References

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