The diagnosis of hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage: the contribution of computed tomography.

Sixty-eight cases of hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage were reviewed and the CT scans studied. The CT scan was accurate in localizing and measuring intracerebral hemorrhage. There were three cases of pontine hemorrhage which did not appear on the CT scan. Hemorrhages at other sites were always seen on the CT scan. The size of putaminal and thalamic hemorrhage as calculated from CT scan allowed accurate prognosis to be made at the onset. CT scanning has become the diagnostic test or first choice when intracerebral hemorrhage is suspected.