The 'swirl sign' as a marker for haematoma expansion and outcome in intra-cranial haemorrhage: A meta-analysis. (May 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Amoo, Michael; Henry, Jack; Alabi, Peter Omotayo; Husien, Mohammed Ben
• Is Part Of: Journal of clinical neuroscience. Volume 87(2021)
• Page Start: 103
• Page End: 111
• Publication Date: 2021-05
• Subjects: Swirl sign -- Intraparenchymal haemorrhage -- Computed tomography -- Traumatic brain injury; Brain -- Surgery -- Periodicals; Neurosciences -- Periodicals; Nervous system -- Surgery -- Periodicals; Brain -- surgery -- Periodicals; Neurosurgical Procedures -- Periodicals; Neurosciences -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.8
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jocn.2021.02.028
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0967-5868

Abstract

Highlights: The 'swirl sign' is a CT finding traditionally associated with poor prognosis. It consists of an area of hypo- or iso-density within the lesion. It is a predictor of haematoma expansion and poor outcome. It has excellent inter-rater reliability. Abstract: The 'swirl sign' is a CT imaging finding associated with haematoma expansion and poor prognosis. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine its prognostic value. PubMed/MEDLINE and EMBASE were searched until 16/12/2020 for related articles. Articles detailing the relationship between the swirl sign and any of haematoma expansion (HE), neurological outcome in the form of Glasgow Outcome Score (GOS) or mortality were included. A meta-analysis was performed and the pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio (PLR) and negative likelihood ratio (NLR) were calculated for each of HE, GOS and mortality. 15 papers were assessed. Nine papers related to HE, for which the pooled sensitivity was 50% (95% CI 30–71), specificity was 77% (95%CI 67–85) and PLR was 2.16 (95%CI 1.89–2.42). There was significant heterogeneity (I 2 = 70%, Q = 26.9). Three papers related to GOS, for which the pooled sensitivity was 45% (95%CI 20–74), specificity was 78.3% (95%CI 40–95.2) and PLR was 1.77 (95%CI 1.04–2.62). Three papers related to mortality, for which the pooled sensitivity was 65% (95% CI 32–88), specificity was 75% (95%CI 42–92) and pooled PLR was 2.64 (95%CI 1.60–4.13). Our findings indicated that the swirl sign is a useful prognostic marker in the radiological evaluation of intracranial haemorrhage. However, more research is needed to assess its independence from other risk factors for haematoma expansion.