Intracerebral hemorrhage in young adults

Nontraumatic intracerebral hemorrhage is an uncommon occurrence in young adults. Signs and symptoms may be subtle or atypical and predisposing factors absent in patients with computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging-proven hemorrhage. Rapid evaluation and referral to a neurosurgeon are critical if consequent morbidity and mortality are to be minimized. Presented are the cases of two patients in their early thirties with computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging-proven intracerebral hemorrhage. These cases vividly demonstrate that in young adults there is a need to maintain a high index of suspicion and consideration of intracerebral hemorrhage before signs and symptoms are attributed to less malignant disease processes.