Accuracy of spot sign in predicting hematoma expansion and clinical outcome: A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Spot sign on computed tomography angiography (CTA) has been reported as a risk factor for hematoma expansion (HE) and poor outcome after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). We performed a meta-analysis to investigate the predictive accuracy of spot sign for HE, mortality risk, and poor outcome. METHODS: We searched PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library for relevant studies. Studies were incorporated if they reported data on relationship between CTA spot sign and HE, mortality or poor outcome. RESULTS: Twenty-nine studies were pooled in this meta-analysis. The spot sign occurred in 23.4% patients with spontaneous ICH undergoing CTA scans. It showed a sensitivity of 62% (95% confidence interval [CI] 54–69), with a specificity of 88% (95% CI 85–91). Spot sign was related with increased risk of HE (odds ratios [OR] 8.49, 95% CI 7.28–9.90). In the analysis of association between spot sign and outcome, patients with spot sign had a significant higher risk of in-hospital death (OR 5.08, 95% CI 3.16–8.18) and 3-month death (OR 3.80, 95% CI 2.62–5.52). The spot sign was also a predictor of poor outcome at discharge (OR 6.40, 95% CI 3.41–12.03) and at 3 months (OR 4.44, 95% CI 2.33–8.46). CONCLUSIONS: The overall incidence of CTA spot sign in spontaneous ICH patients is substantial. Spot sign demonstrated a good diagnostic performance in predicting HE and was closely associated with increased risk of death and poor outcome.