Citation

Jian X, Junyu W, Jinfang L. Brain Inj. 2009; 23(5): 445-449.

Affiliation

Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, PR China.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/02699050902838157

PMID

19408166

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To explore the pathological mechanism of post-traumatic mutism (PTM) in children. METHODS: A retrospective study of 16 children who suffered from severe head injury and developed PTM. RESULTS: Post-traumatic coma lasted from 2-72 days, average 15.5 days; while post-traumatic mutism lasted from 2-56 days, average 11.94 days. The correlation between duration of coma and mutism was significant (p < 0.001). SPECT found that multiple persistent ischaemic brain regions occurred in all patients; the mean number of regions was 5.6. The patients were sub-divided into three groups based on the number of ischaemic regions: group 1, < or = 4; group 2, 5 approximately 6; group 3, > or = 7. The duration of mutism did not differ significantly between groups 1 and 2, but the difference between group 3 and the other two groups combined was significant (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Most PTM occurred in patients with diffuse brain injury. The duration of mutism was related to the number of ischaemic brain regions and the duration of post-traumatic coma.

Language: en