Postoperative rebleeding is a major limitation of surgical evacuation for intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). While computed tomography (CT) is the standard of care for postoperative hematoma cavity monitoring, CT requires significant physical and financial costs. Studies have demonstrated varying degrees of efficacy when using transcranial ultrasound to measure ICH volume. Recently, synthetic implants for cranioplasty have been shown to be safe and sonolucent. This study aims to evaluate the ability of transcranial ultrasound with sonolucent cranioplasty (TUSC) to detect and quantify bleeding in postoperative ICH patients.

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) accounts for over 2 million strokes annually. ICH is the most devastating subtype of stroke, with a 1-year mortality rate of up to 50% and a 6-month survivor disability rate of up to 88%. Large-scale multicenter trials including STICH, STICH II, and MISTIE III demonstrated that surgical evacuation did not appear to improve long term functional outcome. Smaller studies and sub-group analyses have suggested that some forms of minimally invasive ICH evacuation may benefit specific patients. Postoperative rebleeding after surgical evacuation of ICH occurs in 5-40% and remains a major limitation to the efficacy and widespread adoption of this treatment strategy. Therefore, rapid assessment, detection, and management of postoperative bleeding is critical to maximize functional recovery after surgical evacuation.

The standard of care for postoperative hematoma cavity monitoring is computed tomography (CT). However, repeat CTs to assess patients with ICH incur health and financial cost including time and personnel to bring the patient to scan, risk of dislodging lines or drains, radiation dosing, and financial cost as well as others. Studies have demonstrated varying degrees of efficacy when using transcranial ultrasound to measure ICH volume. Recently, synthetic implants for cranioplasty have been shown to be safe and sonolucent. This study aims to evaluate the ability of transcranial ultrasound with sonolucent cranioplasty (TUSC) to detect and quantify bleeding in postoperative ICH patients.

In this prospective study, postoperative ICH patients will undergo cranioplasty with a sonolucent polymethyl methacrylate implant and serial monitoring via TUSC. Whenever a CT is performed during business hours, TUSC will be performed within 2 hours by a neurointensivist trained in point-of-care transcranial ultrasound (TCUS). Imaging will be reviewed by two independent neuroimaging experts. Additional secondary outcomes will include occurrence of serious adverse events, detection of intraventricular hemorrhage, and cost of care when compared to CT.

This work has the potential to significantly improve clinical management of ICH. This study will provide the safety and feasibility data necessary to guide future clinical research. ICH detection and volumetry are critical to patient care and prognostication. This point-of-care testing enables neurosurgeons to serially monitor patients to ensure that they receive timely, appropriate care.

Inclusion criteria:

• Presence of spontaneous supratentorial ICH ≥20 mL
• Age ≥18 years
• National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score ≥6
• GCS score 5-15 at presentation
• Undergoing minimally invasive intracerebral hemorrhage evacuation with sonolucent cranioplasty or hemicraniectomy with sonolucent cranioplasty

Exclusion criteria:

• Secondary cause for the ICH, such as an underlying vascular malformation (cavernous malformation, arteriovenous malformation, etc.), aneurysm, neoplasm, hemorrhagic transformation of an underlying ischemic infarct; or venous infarct
• History of osteomyelitis
• History of skull neoplasm
• History of comminuted skull fractures
• Infratentorial hemorrhage
• Midbrain extension/involvement
• Coagulopathy defined as INR > 1.4, elevated aPTT, or concurrent use of direct oral anticoagulants or low molecular weight heparin at ICH onset; known hereditary or acquired hemorrhagic diathesis; coagulation factor deficiency; platelet count < 100x103cells/mm3, or known platelet dysfunction
• Inability to obtain consent from patient or appropriate surrogate (for patients without capacity)
• Evidence of active infection indicated by fever ≥ 100.7F and/or open draining wound at the time of enrolment
• Any comorbid disease or condition expected to compromise survival or ability to complete follow-up assessments through 1 year
• Based on investigator's judgment, the patient does not have the necessary mental capacity to participate or is unwilling to comply with the protocol follow-up appointment schedule
• Active drug or alcohol abuse that, in the opinion of the site investigator, would interfere with adherence to study enrolments
• Pre-existing DNR/DNI status

In order to minimize any privacy risks to the patients participating, IPD data will not be shared.