Time course of VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 in CSF in patients with basal ganglia haemorrhage

Objectives – In a pilot study we found a correlation of the clinical outcome with adhesion molecule (AM) concentrations in ventricular cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) but not in serum in patients with intracerebral haemorrhage. We now determined the time course of AM concentration in CSF and serum after basal ganglia haemorrhage (BGH) in order to further uncover pathogenetic mechanisms. Materials and methods – We included 11 patients with acute BGH and ventricular tamponade in which an extraventricular drainage had been applied to treat ventricular ballonade. Paired CSF and serum samples were obtained within 8 h after onset of BGH, as well as on the consecutive days 2, 4, 6, and 8, respectively. The concentrations of soluble ICAM‐1 (sICAM‐1) and VCAM‐1 (sVCAM‐1) in CSF and serum were measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Moreover, we determined blood volume and perifocal oedema by a semi‐automated planimetry technique from initial cranial computed tomography scans. Results – sICAM‐1 and sVCAM‐1 levels in CSF were highest within the first hours after onset of BGH, then decreased significantly (P