Be. Lippitz et al., LYSIS OF BASAL GANGLIA HEMATOMA WITH RECOMBINANT TISSUE-PLASMINOGEN ACTIVATOR (RTPA) AFTER STEREOTAXIC ASPIRATION - INITIAL RESULTS, Acta neurochirurgica, 127(3-4), 1994, pp. 157-160
In a series of 10 patients with stereotactically treated basal ganglia
haematoma rtPA was used to dissolve remaining clots. Pre-Operative ha
ematoma volume ranged between 39 and 111 cm3 (average 56 cm3). Stereot
actic aspiration alone yielded an average volume reduction of 60% (ran
ge 23 to 78%). Haematoma cavity was instillated with rtPA repeatedly b
eginning 24 hours after the stereotactic intervention. At the end of r
tPA therapy between 2 and 4 days after onset of the haemorrhage 67 to
92% (average 84%) of the initial haematoma was removed in all patients
. More than 80% of the pre-operative clot could be removed in 8 out of
10 patients between day 2 and 4. There were no signs of rtPA related
toxicity. At the end of the follow-up period (between 4 and 17 months
- mean 8 months) 6 patients were awake, oriented and with a residual h
emiparesis able to live in their familiar environment. It is concluded
that local rtPA instillation is an effective additional treatment to
further resolution of deep seated intracerebral haematomas after stere
otactic aspiration.