MRI analysis of brain atrophy after severe closed-head injury: relation toclinical status

The purpose of this study was to determine the clinical correlates of supra tentorial ventricular dilations and of corpus callosal atrophy at the subac ute stage after a severe closed-head injury (CHI). Thirty-three CHI patient s underwent MRI 2 months or more after injury. Morphometric measures were c ompared to clinical data (coma score, coma duration and Glasgow Outcome Sca le). There were numerous significant correlations between clinical data and mid-third ventricle and frontal hems measurements. Fewer significant corre lations were found with the lateral ventricle bodies and the corpus callosa l body. There was no significant correlation with the posterior part of the corpus callosum and of the ventricles. Corpus callosum atrophy correlated significantly with anterior and deep ventricular dilatation. In conclusion, the best indicator of clinical status was ventriculomegaly, and particular ly third ventricle enlargement, which probably reflects the extent of both anterior and deep white matter lesions.