Background and Purpose--We sought to determine plasma S100B level after acute (<24 hours) spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and to study its relation with neurological outcome.

Methods--We determined S100B concentration on plasma samples from 78 ICH patients on admission. Clinical (Glasgow Coma Scale and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale [NIHSS] scores) and radiological information (ICH and perihematomal edema volumes) were collected at baseline and follow-up visits. Early neurological deterioration, defined as the increase of 4 points in the NIHSS score at 48 hours, and unfavorable outcome (modified Rankin Scale >2) at 3 months were also recorded.

Results--The median S100B level was higher than our laboratory reference values for healthy controls (103.6 versus 48.5 pg/mL; P<0.001) and a positive correlation was observed between S100B level and baseline ICH volume (r=0.45; P<0.0001). The median S100B level was higher in patients who deteriorated early (256.8 versus 89.7 pg/mL; P=0.001) and also in patients with an unfavorable outcome (136 versus 75.9 pg/mL; P=0.003). Multivariate analysis showed baseline ICH volume as the best predictor for both early neurological deterioration (odds ratio 15; 95% CI, 2.9 to 76.3) and unfavorable outcome at 3 months (odds ratio 17; 95% CI, 2.0 to 142).

Conclusion--Increased S100B level is found after acute spontaneous ICH, in association with a worse early and late evolution, and closely related to initial hematoma volume.