ISSN:
0942-0940
Keywords:
Visual field defects
;
head injury
;
neuropsychological functioning
;
secondary brain insults
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Summary Neuropsychological outcome within two years after injury was determined in 159 head injured patients who were classified into three groups according to the presence of either unilateral, bilateral, or no visual field defects (VFDs). The VFDs occurred irrespective of injury severity as determined by the Glasgow coma scale, or social outcome as determined by the Glasgow outcome scale. Differences among the three visual field groups were obtained for several neuropsychological functions: intelligence, memory, learning, acquired verbal skills, visuospatial skills, and visuomotor speed. Patients with bilateral VFDs were more severely impaired neuropsychologically than those with unilateral or no VFDs. Occurrences of secondary complications (brain swelling, intracranial hypertension, and hyperemia) were more prevalent among the bilateral VFD cases. The findings suggested that bilateral VFDs may be indicators of increased brain damage from secondary insults.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF01419499
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