Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), that is, bleeding in the ventricles of the brain, is a form of bleeding within the brain that can be extremely threatening to patients. The ventricles are brain structures that produce and circulate cerebrospinal fluid. When a hemorrhage occurs, the ventricles fill with blood and can cause serious complications. This situation can be mainly divided into two types: primary and secondary, and the causes of this situation are quite complicated.
Types of intraventricular hemorrhageAccording to research, about 30% of intraventricular hemorrhage is primary hemorrhage, which is usually caused by brain trauma, aneurysm, vascular malformation or brain tumor. The remaining 70% are secondary hemorrhages arising from pre-existing intracerebral or subarachnoid hemorrhage. Especially in patients with severe trauma, the incidence of intraventricular hemorrhage can be as high as 35%.
Symptoms of intraventricular hemorrhage in adults are similar to those of other intracerebral hemorrhages, including sudden onset of headache, nausea, and vomiting, accompanied by changes in consciousness. In some cases, patients may experience epileptic seizures. However, local neurological signs are usually minor or absent.
Among infants, some may have no symptoms, while others may show subtle abnormalities in consciousness, muscle tone, breathing, and movement.
In adults, the main causes of intraventricular hemorrhage include external trauma or hemorrhagic stroke.
Infants, particularly those born prematurely and with very low birth weight, are at particularly high risk for intraventricular hemorrhage, a condition often associated with an increasingly immature brain vasculature. Observations show that intraventricular hemorrhage in premature infants often occurs within 72 hours of birth and is associated with brain damage caused by insufficient oxygen supply.
The diagnosis of intraventricular hemorrhage can be confirmed by CT scan, which shows the presence of blood in the ventricles.
The main treatment strategy for intraventricular hemorrhage is stratified management based on the patient's level of consciousness. Those with mild symptoms can be observed in the ward, while patients with impaired consciousness need to be further observed in the neurological intensive care unit. Intracranial pressure and blood pressure can also be maintained through intracranial pressure monitoring and drug treatment.
Among the complications, intraventricular hemorrhage may lead to high intracranial pressure and damage to brain tissue, and may further cause serious complications such as hydrocephalus. Studies have shown that if premature babies suffer from intraventricular hemorrhage, their prognosis is generally pessimistic, and about 15% of surviving babies may develop cerebral palsy.
Brain tumors, brain contusions, and subarachnoid hemorrhages often coexist with intraventricular hemorrhage and can cause dangerous increases in intracranial pressure, which in turn affects brain tissue.
ConclusionResearch on intraventricular hemorrhage is ongoing, and scientists are looking for more effective diagnosis and treatment methods. Yet the threat’s deadly potential and its complex consequences still make it an important public health topic. Faced with such dangerous health problems, how should we better protect our brain health?