Can brainstem hemorrhage be cured?

Written by Jiang Fang Shuai
Neurosurgery
Updated on September 01, 2024
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Brainstem hemorrhage is a very dangerous disease with poor prognosis and high mortality rate. Although the brainstem is very small, it contains almost all vital neurological functions. Once hemorrhage occurs, it can cause severe neurological dysfunction, and even lead to the patient's death due to cessation of heartbeat and breathing in a short period. So, can brainstem hemorrhage be cured? It mainly depends on the location of the hemorrhage, the amount of bleeding, and the clinical symptoms. Patients with less bleeding, hemorrhages closer to the upper end of the brainstem, and milder clinical symptoms have a better chance of recovery. However, those with more extensive bleeding, hemorrhages closer to the lower end of the brainstem, and more severe clinical symptoms have a lesser likelihood of recovery.

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Written by Jiang Fang Shuai
Neurosurgery
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Can brainstem hemorrhage be cured?

Brainstem hemorrhage is a very dangerous disease with poor prognosis and high mortality rate. Although the brainstem is very small, it contains almost all vital neurological functions. Once hemorrhage occurs, it can cause severe neurological dysfunction, and even lead to the patient's death due to cessation of heartbeat and breathing in a short period. So, can brainstem hemorrhage be cured? It mainly depends on the location of the hemorrhage, the amount of bleeding, and the clinical symptoms. Patients with less bleeding, hemorrhages closer to the upper end of the brainstem, and milder clinical symptoms have a better chance of recovery. However, those with more extensive bleeding, hemorrhages closer to the lower end of the brainstem, and more severe clinical symptoms have a lesser likelihood of recovery.

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Written by Tang Ying
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
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How long is the edema period for brainstem hemorrhage?

The edema phase of the brain stem generally lasts for two to three weeks, with the peak of swelling occurring around seven to ten days. For some patients, the swelling completely subsides nearly a month later. Only after the peak of the swelling has passed can patients be out of life-threatening danger. As the swelling gradually subsides, the patient's consciousness, vital signs, limb movements, eating, and other symptoms will also gradually improve. Once patients get through the swelling phase, we can start early bedside rehabilitation as soon as possible. In addition to using some drugs that nourish brain nerves, passive limb movements, proper limb positioning, early exercise, and acupuncture can all be started early to accelerate the patient's early rehabilitation and prevent complications such as muscle atrophy, relaxation, and dependent pneumonia, which can be improved early on.

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Written by Jiang Fang Shuai
Neurosurgery
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Why would there be bleeding in the brainstem?

Firstly, hemorrhaging can occur anywhere there are blood vessels. The brainstem is an important functional area of the human brain, connecting the cerebrum above and the spinal cord below, with the cerebellum closely positioned behind it. It serves as a crucial relay station for neural connections. This area is the control center of human life, managing vital functions such as breathing and heartbeat. Additionally, this area is densely packed with blood vessels. For patients with chronic hypertension, unstable blood pressure control can lead to degeneration and necrosis of the vessels, and even the formation of dissecting aneurysms or microaneurysms, which can cause the vessels to rupture and bleed under certain conditions. Like the vessels in other parts of the intracranial space, the blood vessels in the brainstem can also bleed. This is referred to as brainstem hemorrhage.

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Written by Jiang Fang Shuai
Neurosurgery
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The difference between brainstem hemorrhage and cerebral hemorrhage.

Cerebral hemorrhage refers to any bleeding caused by the rupture of cerebral blood vessels. Based on the location of the bleeding, there is hemorrhage in the cerebral lobes, thalamic hemorrhage, cerebellar hemorrhage, brainstem hemorrhage, and so on. Consequently, brainstem hemorrhage is a type of cerebral hemorrhage. Because the brainstem is the life center of humans, even a small amount of bleeding can lead to severe consequences, and may even cause death. Therefore, brainstem hemorrhage is one of the most dangerous types of cerebral hemorrhage and has a very high rate of mortality and disability in clinical settings.

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Written by Jiang Fang Shuai
Neurosurgery
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Can brainstem hemorrhage be operated on?

The brainstem is the center of human life, controlling vital functions such as breathing, circulation, heart rate, and blood pressure. Once bleeding occurs, patients often experience unstable vital signs, deep coma, and can die from brain function failure within a short period. Previously, it was believed that the brainstem was a no-go zone for surgery, and treatment for brainstem hemorrhage was primarily conservative medical therapy. However, with the continuous improvement of medical technology, neurosurgery departments in many top-tier hospitals have made significant achievements in minimally invasive or open surgeries for brainstem hemorrhages. Therefore, surgery for brainstem hemorrhage is not impossible and can be considered under specific circumstances.