Usefulness of portable optical measuring device using near-infrared in detection of intracranial hemorrhage

Object of this study was to validate usefulness of portable optical measuring device using near-infrared in detection of intracranial hemorrhage of superficial location. In this study, authors have tested in 110 normal subjects for the control and 20 patients who later confirmed to have intracranial hemorrhages. All values refer to the optical density of tissue that has been exposed to the near-infrared rays from the device. In control group, there were 68 males and 42 females. Average age was 46 with range between 8 and 74. In patient group, there were 12 males and 8 females and average age was 49 years. There were 7 subdural hemorrhage (SDH), 6 epidural hemorrhage (EDH), 3 hemorrhgic contusion (2 in frontal and 1 in basal ganglia), 2 subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), and 2 intracerebral hemorrhage in parietooccipital region and basal ganglia. There were 2 cases with bilateral subdural hematoma and 2 cases with hemorrhage in deep parenchyma (2 in basal ganglia). All, except 4 patients (2 with bilateral lesions and 2 with deep parenchymal hemorrhage), showed OD greater than 0.45 in corresponding regions. There were considered as false negative cases. However, there were no missed cases where there were hemorrhages located within 3 cm from scalp. Also, there were no side effects or complications form using this device. These results indicate that it would be particularly suitable in screening of intracranial hemorrhage, acute or delayed, located within 3 cm from skin where the most of traumatic intracranial heamorrhages take place.