Intracerebral hemorrhage is the deadliest, most disabling and least treatable form of stroke despite progression in medical science. The aim of the study was to analyze the frequency, risk factors, localization and 30-day prognosis in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage. We analyzed 352 patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) hospitalized at the Department of Neurology Tuzla during a three-year follow up. The following data were collected for all patients in a computerized database: age, sex, risk factors (hypertension, heart diseases, diabetes and smoking) and CT findings. Stroke severity was estimated with Scandinavian Stroke Scale, ICH topography was specified by CT, and outcome at 1st month after onset included information on vital status and disability (modified Rankin Scale, mRS). The most frequent risk factors were hypertension (84%), heart diseases (31%), cigarette smoking (28%) and diabetes mellitus (14%). The most frequent localization of ICH was multilobar (38%), internal capsule/basal ganglia region (36%) and lobar (17%). Within first month died 147 patients (42%). The highest mortality rate was in patients with brain stem (83%) and multilobar hemorrhage (64%). Factors independently associated with mortality were age (odds ratio 1,05 (95% confidence interval 1,02 to 1,08); p=0,001), stroke severity (OR 0,93 (0,92 to 0,95); p<0,0001), multilobar hemorrhage (OR 5,4 (3,0 to 9,6); p<0,0001) and intraventricular hemorrhage (OR 3,9 (2,2 to 7,1); p<0,0001). Favorable outcome at first month (mRS < or = 2) had 45% of the surviving patients with ICH. The best outcome was for the patients with cerebellar hemorrhage (63%), while only 40% of the patients with hemorrhage in internal capsule/basal ganglia region had Rankin scale 2 or less. Hypertension is the most frequent risk factor in patients with ICH. ICHs are mainly localized in lobar and internal capsule/basal ganglia regions. Independent predictors of mortality following ICH are age, hypertension, intraventricular blood extension and stroke severity. Mortality, as well as good outcome at 1 month, is related to the localization of bleeding.

INTRODUCTION Diabetes mellitus is a risk factor for stroke, but it is unclear whether stroke is different in diabetic and nondiabetic individuals. The aim of the study was to compare characteristics of stroke in patients with and without diabetes mellitus. METHODS This study included 833 acute stroke patients (697 [84%] had ischemic stroke, and 52% were females) admitted at the Department of Neurology Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina, from January 1st 2003 to December 31st 2003. Risk factors, stroke severity (Scandinavian Stroke Scale, SSS)), stroke type, etiology, lesion topography and the outcome at 1 month (mortality and handicap) were assessed in all patients. RESULTS Overall, diabetes mellitus was present in 194 patients (23.5%). Females were overrepresented in the diabetic group of stroke patients (66% vs 48%, p = 0.0001). Initial stroke severity and lesion topography were comparable between the two groups. The diabetic patients reported a significantly lower current smoking (21% vs 29%) and alcohol intake (4.5% vs 9%) (p < 0.05). Patients with diabetes mellitus compared with patients without diabetes had more frequently atherothrombotic stroke (62% vs 33%, p < 0.0001), but less frequently embolic stroke (10% vs 17.5%, p = 0.02) and intracerebral hemorrhage (10% vs 18.5%, p = 0.005). Mortality at 1 month was higher in patients with diabetes mellitus (38% vs 26%, p = 0.001), and diabetes increased the relative death risk by 1.53 (95% confidence interval, 1.19 to 1.96). At the other hand, handicap (Rankin Scale) in surviving patients was insignificantly higher in diabetic group (2.7 vs 2.4, p = 0.07). Older age (70 vs 66 years, p = 0.008), atherothrombotic stroke (76% vs 53%, p = 0.002), and severe strokes (SSS 20.5 vs 39, p < 0.0001) were more associated in died stroke patients with diabetes mellitus compared with surviving diabetic stroke patients. CONCLUSION Diabetes mellitus is present in one fourth of acute stroke patients. Stroke patients with diabetes mellitus are associated with specific patterns of stroke type, etiology and mortality but not with stroke severity and handicap.

BACKGROUND Obstetrical brachial plexus lesion (OBPL) (also known in its various forms as Erb's palsy, Klumpke's paralysis, Erb-Duchenne palsy) complicates a very small proportion of births. Furthermore, it seems that more likely many cases recover with little in the way of remaining deficit, but it is equally certain that some cases will not recover. Electro diagnostic examinations are used as following the physical examination and can provide data on both the severity and timing of the injury. The initial study usually is performed 2-3 weeks after injury, when signs of enervation are seen in children with moderate or serious injuries. The incidence of obstetric brachial plexus palsy varies from 0.4 to 1 case per 1000 new born children. This incidence has remained unchanged since the beginning of this century despite current technologic advances. The aim of this paper is to review the literature and authors experience with OBPL. PATIENTS AND METHODS The study included 30 children examined in last 10 years at Electro myoneurography laboratory, Department of Neurology, University Clinical Center Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Total out of 20 children (66.67%) were male, and 10 (33.3%) female; in 11 (36.67%) palsy was on left, and in 19 (63.33%) on right side. Erb's palsy was seen in 27 (90%) and total palsy in the remaining 3 (10%) limbs. Electromyography was very useful test not only for diagnosis, but also for evaluation of recovery. Good recovery was observed in majority of these children, but some children has difficulty with active shoulder abduction, forward flexion, symmetric elbow flexion and forearm supination at age of one year and more, and mild shortening and atrophy of the limb are also observed.