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Aphasia and unilateral spatial neglect due to acute thalamic hemorrhage: clinical correlations and outcomes

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Abstract

Thalamic hemorrhages are associated with a variety of cognitive dysfunctions, and it is well known that such cognitive changes constitute a limiting factor of recovery of the activities of daily living (ADL). The relationship between cognitive dysfunction and hematomas is unclear. In this study, we investigated the relationship between aphasia/neglect and hematoma volume, hematoma type, and the ADL. One hundred fifteen patients with thalamic hemorrhage (70 men and 45 women) were studied. Their mean age was 68.9 ± 10.3 years, and patients with both left and right lesions were included. We calculated hematoma volume and examined the presence or absence of aphasia/neglect and the relationships between these dysfunctions and hematoma volume, hematoma type, and the ADL. Fifty-nine patients were found to have aphasia and 35 were found to have neglect. Although there was no relationship between hematoma type and cognitive dysfunction, hematoma volume showed a correlation with the severity of cognitive dysfunction. The ADL score and ratio of patient discharge for patients with aphasia/neglect were lower than those for patients without aphasia/neglect. We observed a correlation between the hematoma volume in thalamic hemorrhage and cognitive dysfunction. Aphasia/neglect is found frequently in patients with acute thalamic hemorrhage and may influence the ADL.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Obu, Japan

    Aiko Osawa

  2. Department of Rehabilitation Medicine II, School of Medicine, Fujita Health University, Nanakuri Memorial Hospital, 424-1 Oodori-cho, Tsu, 514-1295, Japan

    Shinichiro Maeshima

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  1. Aiko Osawa
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Correspondence to Shinichiro Maeshima.

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Osawa, A., Maeshima, S. Aphasia and unilateral spatial neglect due to acute thalamic hemorrhage: clinical correlations and outcomes. Neurol Sci 37, 565–572 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-016-2476-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-016-2476-2

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