CLINICAL-FEATURES OF RELATIVE FOCAL HYPERPERFUSION IN PATIENTS WITH INTRACEREBRAL HEMORRHAGE DETECTED BY CONTRAST-ENHANCED XENON CT

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The prevalence and clinical features of relati ve focal hyperperfusion were investigated in 165 consecutive patients, vith intracerebral hemorrhage. METHODS: Contrast-enhanced xenon CT was used to observe regional cerebral blood flow in all patients (86 men and 79 women ranging in age from 25 to 89 years; mean age, 66 years). The clinical data of patients with and without relative focal hyperper fusion were compared to define distinguishing characteristics. RESULTS : Relative focal hyperperfusion was observed in 24 (23.5%) of 102 pati ents in the acute stage but in no patient in the subacute or chronic s tages. Relative focal hyperperfusion was associated significantly more often with putaminal and subcortical hemorrhage than with thalamic an d cerebellar hemorrhage. We found that patients with relative focal hy perperfusion had a lower mean age than those without it; a male domina nce; and a more common history of intracerebral hemorrhage. CONCLUSION : Relative focal hyperperfusion occurs in the acute stage after intrac erebral hemorrhage and does not persist for more than 30 days. The mos t common locations are the putamen and subcortical areas. Risk factors include male sex and previous bleeding in the same area.