Comparative assessment of the spot sign and leakage sign as predictive factors for spontaneous intracranial hematoma expansion

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the predictive value of two radiological markers, the spot sign and leakage sign, for spontaneous intracranial hematoma expansion and their association with clinical outcomes, including neurological deterioration and in-hospital mortality. Materials & methods: This prospective single-center study included 94 adult patients with spontaneous intraparenchymal hemorrhagic stroke, confirmed by non-enhanced CT (NECT) and contrast-enhanced CT (CECT) in the arterial phase. Hematoma volumes and spot/leakage signs were assessed using standardized imaging protocols and analyzed by two blinded neuroradiologists. Clinical and radiological data were evaluated using multivariate analyses, with survival outcomes compared via Kaplan-Meier curves. Statistical significance was set at p <= 0.05. Results: Among 94 patients, hematoma expansion occurred in 42%, neurological deterioration in 15.5%, and mortality in 39.4%. The leakage sign was the strongest independent predictor of hematoma expansion (OR: 9.27, 95% CI: 2.95-29.20), neurological deterioration (OR: 26.67, 95% CI: 1.62-47.39), and mortality (OR: 7.56, 95% CI: 2.97-19.25). The spot and leakage signs demonstrated high specificity for predicting outcomes, with the leakage sign showing greater sensitivity for hematoma expansion. Patients with a positive leakage sign had significantly lower median survival (6 days) compared to those with a positive spot sign alone (54 days) or no signs (110 days, p < 0.001). Conclusion: The leakage sign demonstrated greater sensitivity and comparable specificity to the spot sign for predicting hematoma expansion. Both signs were associated with neurological deterioration and in-hospital mortality, with the leakage sign showing a stronger predictive value.