BACKGROUND: This case series study evaluated the outcome and effect of portable 3D-head computed tomography (CT, MCT-I, 16 rows mobile CT made in China) navigation-guided key-hole microsurgery for supratentorial hypertensive hematomas.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty-five consecutive unconscious patients with a significant volume of hypertensive intracranial hemorrhages (HICH) were treated with 3D image-guided key-hole microsurgery, and the clinical features were summarized. Preoperative and postoperative hematoma volumes and reduction in midline shifts were calculated and recorded. The preoperative and postoperative (initial, discharge, and 180th day after stroke onset) neurological status was assessed by Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS), Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), and modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score, respectively.

RESULTS: The range of hematoma volumes of surgical patients was 24–99 ml (median, 50 ml). The median time of CT scan (from the time of the request to navigation finish) was 11 min. Total and near-total (>90%) hematoma evacuation was achieved in 96.9% cases. Compared with the initial state of neurological assessment, there was a significant improvement in MRS and GCS at discharge (P<0.001). After 6 months, 57.1% of patients had achieved functional recovery (GOS 4–5) and 2 patients had died.

CONCLUSIONS: As a minimally invasive technique, image-guided transcortical sulci or transsylvian approach is highly effective for immediate and complete hematoma evacuation.

Keywords: Intracranial Hemorrhage, Hypertensive, Neurosurgery, Surgical Procedures, Minimally Invasive, Aged, 80 and over, Cerebral Hemorrhage, Hypertension, Imaging, Three-Dimensional, Microsurgery, Postoperative Care, Postoperative Complications, Preoperative Care, Tomography, X-Ray Computed