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Posttraumatic cerebral infarction diagnosed by CT: prevalence, origin, and outcome
S E Mirvis1, A L Wolf, Y Numaguchi
1Department of Diagnostic Radiology, University of Maryland Hospital, Baltimore 21201.
AJNR. American Journal of Neuroradiology
|March 1, 1990
Summary
Posttraumatic cerebral infarction occurs in 1.9% of head trauma patients, often caused by mass effect. Aggressive management is crucial, as mortality rates are similar to head trauma without infarction.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Trauma Surgery
- Radiology
Background:
- Posttraumatic cerebral infarction is a known complication of craniocerebral trauma.
- Its incidence, etiology, and impact on mortality require further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the frequency, causes, and mortality associated with posttraumatic cerebral infarction.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of cranial CT scans in 1332 trauma patients over 40 months.
- Diagnosis of posttraumatic cerebral infarction within 24 hours to 14 days post-admission.
Main Results:
- 25 patients (1.9%) developed posttraumatic cerebral infarction.
- Commonly affected territories included posterior cerebral, anterior cerebral, and middle cerebral arteries.
- Mass effect from edema or hematoma was the primary cause in 24 patients.
- Mortality was 68% in patients with posttraumatic cerebral infarction, not significantly different from matched controls.
Conclusions:
- Posttraumatic cerebral infarction is an infrequent but significant complication of head trauma.
- Vascular compression due to mass effect is a common cause.
- Aggressive management is warranted regardless of infarction presence.