Neuroradiology

Intraventricular haemorrhage

a collection of blood within the ventricular system (see subarachnoid haemorrhage and haematoma). In rare cases direct intraventricular haemorrhage may be related to hypertension; in other cases a vascular malformation or aneurysm may rupture directly into the ventricles. More commonly intraventricular haemorrhage is associated with intracerebral haematoma or subarachnoid haemorrhage. The amount of blood may be limited, with fluidfluid levels in the occipital horns, or limited to the fourth ventricle. When massive, intraventricular haemorrhage may be life-threatening because CSF circulation may be impaired and hydrocephalus results. CT scan clearly shows the hyperdense blood within the ventricular system.

GS