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Hypomagnesemia is Associated with the Skull Computed Tomography Black Hole Sign in Patients with Spontaneous Intracerebral Hemorrhage

Shen Z, Zhu Y, Yan X, Wu G

World neurosurgery, 2025

261 participants

Abstract

OBJECTIVES

The evaluation of hypomagnesemia's significance in predicting the presence of the black hole sign in patients with intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) is currently under investigation.

METHODS

The study included 261 patients with cerebral hemorrhage who underwent initial skull computed tomography (CT) within 24 hours of admission.Sixty-nine patients (26.4%) exhibited hypomagnesemia in the initial laboratory examinations. The black hole sign was observed in 123 patients (referred to as the black hole sign group, which includes patients with and without hypomagnesemia), while the remaining 138 patients (non-black hole sign group) did not exhibit this feature. The values of hypomagnesemia were assessed through multivariable logistic regression analyses.

RESULTS

The black hole sign occurred in 45 of the 69 (65.2%) patients with hypomagnesemia, and in 78 of the 192 (40.6%) patients without hypomagnesemia.In the black hole sign group, hypomagnesemia was observed in 45 patients (36.6%). However, only 24 patients (19.5%) from the normal magnesium concentration group exhibited hypomagnesemia.The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of hypomagnesemia for predicting the black hole sign were 69.9%, 82.5%, 36.6%, and 82.8% respectively.The odds ratios for hypomagnesemia, smoking history, and hypokalemia in predicting the presence of the black hole sign were 2.74, 1.971, and 1.629 correspondingly.

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of hypomagnesemia may serve…

How strong is the evidence?

Evidence Hub reads this as a cohort study, done in people. Its evidence level is 3 of 5 (Moderate · trial / cohort / secondary analysis). Trials without a large randomized design, cohorts and secondary analyses give moderate evidence. Reported size: 261 participants or records.

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