Treatment:

Deep intracerebral hemorrhage is a severe condition that requires prompt medical attention. It can develop quickly into a life-threatening situation.

Treatment depends on the location, cause, and extent of the hemorrhage.

Surgery may be needed, especially if there is bleeding in the back part of the brain called the cerebellum. Surgery may also be done to repair or remove structures causing the bleed such as a cerebral aneurysm or arteriovenous malformation.

Medicines used may include:

• Anticonvulsants to control seizures
• Corticosteroids or diuretics to reduce swelling
• Painkillers

Other treatments may be recommended, depending on your overall health and symptoms.

Expectations (prognosis):

The outlook depends on the size of the hematoma and the amount of brain swelling.

Recovery may occur completely, or there may be some permanent loss of brain function. Death is possible, and may quickly occur despite prompt medical treatment.

Medications, surgery, or other treatments may have severe side effects.

Complications:

• Fluid build-up in the brain (hydrocephalus)
• Permanent loss of any brain function, which may include:
  • Loss of cognitive function
  • Loss of movement of arm(s) or leg(s)
  • Inability to eat or swallow
  • Inability to speak
  • Vision loss
• Side effects of medications used to treat the disorder
• Surgery complications

Calling your health care provider:

Any type of intracerebral hemorrhage, or "brain attack," is a medical emergency.

Go to the emergency room or call 911 if other symptoms of deep intracerebral hemorrhage develop. Emergency symptoms include:

• Difficulty breathing
• Loss of ability to move or swallow
• Loss of consciousness
• Seizures
• Sudden loss of sensations
• Sudden change in mental state

Call your health care provider if severe headache with nausea, vomiting, decreased vision, numbness, or tingling occurs.