It evaluated the efficacy of percutaneous needle aspiration(PNA) in the evacuation of supratentorial hematoma in 22 patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage. All PNA patients had hematoma volume greater than 30ml as determined by computerized tomography image analysis. All patients underwent PNA within 12 hours of presentation. No perioperative complications were noted.

In intracerebral hemorrhage patients with hematoma volume > 30ml, survival was higher in patients who underwent PNA than in unmatched medically treated controls.

Survival was significantly higher in patients with 40%, or greater reduction in hematoma volume postevacuaton.

PNA may be a simple and effective method for improving outcome in intracerebral hemorrhage. It appears that survival may be related to the amount of blood removed during PNA.