Massive hemorrhage into intracranial neurinomas.

Massive bleeding into an intracranial neurinoma is a rare event. The 12th case of this particular occurrence, which was precipitated by weight lifting, is described and a review of the literature is presented. Risk factors for bleeding appear to be tumor size and vascularity. Presenting symptomatology is abrupt and includes headache, nausea, vomiting, and depressed consciousness. Preexisting symptoms referrable to and marked dysfunction of the cranial nerve of origin are present. Deficits of neighboring cranial nerves are frequent. Computed tomography demonstrates the hemorrhages and the tumors. Mild head injury and physical exertion were precipitating factors in two cases. One-fourth of the patients died, while the others made good recoveries.