Predictor of the Postoperative Swelling After Craniotomy for Spontaneous Intracerebral Hemorrhage: Sphericity Index...

Spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage is a serious type of stroke with high mortality and disability rates. Surgical treatment options vary; however, predicting edema aggravation is crucial when choosing the optimal approach. We propose using the sphericity index, a measure of roundness, to predict the aggravation of edema and guide surgical decisions.

We analyzed 56 cases of craniotomy and hematoma evacuation to investigate the correlation between the sphericity index and patient outcomes, including the need for salvage decompressive craniectomy (DC).

The patients included 35 (62.5%) men and 21 (37.5%) women, with a median age of 62.5 years. The basal ganglia was the most common location of hemorrhage (50.0%). The mean hematoma volume was 86.3 cc, with 10 (17.9%) instances of hematoma expansion. Cerebral herniation was observed in 44 (78.6%) patients, intraventricular hemorrhage in 34 (60.7%), and spot signs in 9 (16.1%). Salvage DC was performed in 13 (23.6%) patients to relieve intracranial pressure. The median follow-up duration was 6 months, with a mortality rate of 12.5%. The sphericity index was significantly correlated with delayed swelling and hematoma expansion but not salvage DC.

The sphericity index is a promising predictor of delayed swelling and hematoma expansion that may aid in the development of surgical guidelines and medication strategies. Further large-scale studies are required to explore these aspects and establish comprehensive guidelines.