Sex differences in perihemorrhagic edema evolution after spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Clinical data on sex differences in perihemorrhagic edema (PHE) after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) are lacking. METHODS: Patients with spontaneous supratentorial ICH who had received standard conservative treatment were identified retrospectively. PHE development was assessed over a 14-day period on follow-up CT scans (days 1, 2-4, 5-7, 8-11, and 12-14). ICH and PHE volumes were assessed semiautomatically and compared between men and women. RESULTS: A total of 387 patients (233 men) were included. Starting at days 2-4, women showed lower PHE values (P < 0.05; days 2-4, 8-11) or a trend toward significance (P ≤ 0.1; days 5-7, 12-14). CONCLUSIONS: Female sex may predict lower PHE volumes.