[Spontaneous cerebellar hematoma. Analysis of 23 cases]

A series of 23 patients with spontaneous cerebellar hematoma is analysed retrospectively. Several degrees of consciousness impairment, and headache occurred in all; 12 patients presented motor deficits among the more important clinical signs. Arterial hypertension (69.5%) and diabetes (34%) stand out in the pathological background, and their association was frequent (30%). Computerized tomography (CT) disclosing severe ventricular dilatation (69.5%) associated or not with intraventricular presence of blood is considered as an unsatisfactory prognosis sign, and indicative for emergency therapy. Emergency external ventricular draining is the best indication for the majority of these cases. Posterior fossa craniectomy for emptying the hematoma may be the indication in severe cases. Death and morbidity in this pathology are high as yet. However, CT contribution for diagnosis is quicker and better than benefits obtained through other methods. Results observed in the present series are illustrative on this statement, when compared to data of other series diagnosed through other methods.