We investigated neurobehavioural sequelae after head injury in consecutive 104 patients who were evaluated by psychometric examinations from 1990 to 1994. Organic brain syndrome (OBS). posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). and others were
observed
in 55
patients (52.9%). 37 patients(35.6%), and 12 patients (11.5%). respectively. OBS was more common when the initial Glasgow Coma Score was low or when there was an intradural demage (P<0.025). OBS and PTSD did not differ significantly in age. sex.
cause
of injury. interval from injury to psychometric examination. skull fracture. cranial operation. or the Injury Severity Score. In OBS, the mean verbal Intellegence Quotient (IQ) was 91.3. performance IQ 77.8 total IQ 84.9 and memory quotient 70.7.
In
PTSD. it was 101.4 , 100.1, 1009 and 77.8, respectively. performance IQ and total IQ of OBS and PTSD differed significantly. but verbal and memory quotient did not. In OBS. the mean verbal IQ of patients with right hemispheric damage was
generally
higher than that of patients with the left hemispheric damage, except in vocabulary and comprehansion. But that of perfomance IQ was the reverse.
In OBS, simplification. distortion. rotation. omit, impaired judgement. labile affect impulsivity. depression, flatness, apathy, and bluntedness were commonly observed. While somatization. hostility, frustration, faking bad, and retarded manner
were
more frequently found in PTSD.
The burden imposed on the family is primarily attributable to neurobehavioral sequelae rather than motor or sensory deficits. We should concerned about the adequate management of neurobehavioral sequelae as much as the proper treatment of head
injury
during the acute period.
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