🧠 ABC/2 Intracerebral Hemorrhage Volume
The ABC/2 method gives a bedside estimate of intracerebral hemorrhage volume from three orthogonal CT diameters.
ABC/2 Intracerebral Hemorrhage Volume
A: longest diameter on the largest slice (cm)
B: largest diameter perpendicular to A (cm)
C: vertical extent (slices × slice thickness) (cm)
When to use
Measure the longest diameter on the largest slice (A), the perpendicular diameter (B), and the vertical extent (C); the tool returns the ellipsoid volume.
How it works
Volume (mL) = (A × B × C) / 2, with all diameters in centimeters; C = number of slices with hemorrhage × slice thickness.
Key points
- A hematoma >30 mL—especially supratentorial—is associated with poor outcome and high mortality and is a component of the ICH score (original synthesis · not guideline verbatim).
- ABC/2 assumes a near-ellipsoid shape and overestimates irregular or lobulated clots; use volumetric software when accuracy matters.
- Serial scans tracking volume growth (>33% or >6 mL) identify early deterioration.
References
- Kothari RU, et al. The ABCs of measuring intracerebral hemorrhage volumes. Stroke. 1996.
- Hemphill JC, et al. The ICH score: a simple, reliable grading scale for intracerebral hemorrhage. Stroke. 2001.
Decision support for licensed clinicians only; not a substitute for clinical judgement, diagnosis or local protocols.