[Capsulo-thalamic hemorrhage (author's transl)]

The authors report clinical and scanographic findings in 26 cases of capsulo-thalamic hemorrhage. They stress the frequency of arterial hypertension as a pre-disposing factor. The clinical picture is represented by the association of disorders of consciousness (usually obnubilation), contralateral flaccid hemiplegia with hemianesthesia, oculomotor disorders (disturbance of vertical gaze, miosis) and disorders of linguistic and motor behaviour. The paraclinical examination of choice is scanography which enables the site, volume and extent of the hemorrhage to be estimated, together with the mass effect and intraventricular rupture. Clinical and scanographic follow-up indicates a favourable prognosis for capsulo-thalamic hemorrhage (77% survival). Follow-up findings point to several unfavourable prognostic factors: immediate coma, persistent and massive flaccid hemiplegia, hemorrhage size exceeding 3 cm, and severe intraventricular rupture. In the light of the data in the literature, the authors discuss the clinical and scanographic signs of capsulo-thalamic hemorrhage.