Neurologia medico-chirurgica
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Neurol. Med. Chir. (Tokyo) · Jul 2007
Comparative StudyIndications for computed tomography in patients with mild head injury.
The factors affecting outcome were analyzed in 1,064 patients, 621 males and 443 females aged 10 to 104 years (mean 46 +/- 23 years), with mild head injury (Glasgow Coma Scale [GCS] score > or =14) but no neurological signs presenting within 6 hours after injury. Intracranial lesion was found in 4.7% (50/1,064), and 0.66% (7/1,064) required surgical treatment. The Japan Coma Scale (JCS) and GCS assessments were well correlated (r = 0.797). ⋯ Two refused CT. Fifty-four of the 168 patients did not need CT according to the indications, but 38 of the 54 patients actually underwent CT because of social reasons (n = 21) or patient request (n = 17). These indications for CT including JCS may be useful in the management of patients with mild head injury.
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Neurol. Med. Chir. (Tokyo) · Jul 2007
Case ReportsSpinal cord infarction after decompressive laminectomy for spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma--case report.
A 68-year-old woman presented to the emergency department for evaluation of bilateral leg weakness. On admission, she had paraparesis with incomplete sensory deficit. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of the thoracolumbar spine revealed spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma (SSEH) compressing the spinal cord. ⋯ MR imaging after 1 month clearly showed anterior spinal artery thrombosis. No significant neurological improvement occurred during the 3-month follow up. Surgeons should consider the possibility of this devastating complication before aggressive and early surgical intervention in a patient with SSEH causing cord compression and neurological deficit.