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Intracerebral Hemorrhage Volume (ABC/2)

ABC/2 (Kothari et al., 1996)

Estimates parenchymal hematoma volume on CT with the ABC/2 method (ellipsoid hematomas) or ABC/3 variant (irregular, separated, or multinodular hematomas).

Also searched as: ICH · CT · stroke · hematoma · brain bleed

Hematoma shape / method

ABC/3 better fits irregular or fragmented hematomas.

A - largest hemorrhage diameter

On the axial slice with the largest hematoma area.

mm
B - diameter perpendicular to A

Measured on the same slice as A.

mm
Craniocaudal extent (C) input method
C - craniocaudal extent (direct)
mm
Information
Incomplete input
  • Enter A and B (the two largest perpendicular diameters, in mm).

How this tool works

The ABC/2 method of Kothari and colleagues approximates a hematoma as an ellipsoid. A is the greatest hemorrhage diameter on the axial slice with the largest hematoma area, B is the greatest diameter perpendicular to A on that slice, and C is the craniocaudal extent (directly measured, or approximated as the number of involved slices times the slice thickness). Volume in milliliters equals A x B x C (in mm) divided by 2 and by 1000. For markedly irregular, separated, or multinodular hematomas, dividing by 3 (ABC/3) tracks planimetric volume more closely. Hematoma volume is a powerful prognostic variable: 30 mL is the cutoff used in the ICH score, and very large volumes with a low Glasgow Coma Scale score portend poor outcome.

Clinical questions that use this

Vetting guides that reach for this tool.