Citation

Gensemer IB, McMurry FG, Walker JC, Monasky M, Brotman SJ. J. Trauma 1988; 28(1): 44-49.

Affiliation

Department of Neurology, Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, PA 17822.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1988, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

3339662

Abstract

A group of 65 head-injured patients, making an apparent good recovery, were studied with the Halstead-Reitan neuropsychological test battery because of personality or cognitive difficulty. A significant relationship was identified between outcome as measured by the Halstead Impairment Index and both Injury Severity Score and Glasgow Coma Scale score. A significant relationship was also found to exist between the Halstead Impairment Index and employment status of the study group. Patients were placed in three groups, depending on their impairment index. Of the complications identified, spinal fracture, pupillary dysfunction, and intracranial pressure elevation were consistently associated with an impaired performance on the neuropsychological testing. These findings suggest that there is a relationship between head injury complications and neuropsychological potential which can cause lingering problems and influence the patient's rehabilitation process.