Computed tomographic changes in juvenile hemiplegia.

A retrospective analysis of the computer tomographic scans (CT) in 68 patients with juvenile hemiplegia was done. There was predominance of males (60%) over females, as well as left-sided lesions (57%). The CT findings were normal in 15% with atrophic changes in 34%, low attenuation areas of fluid density in 46% and 2.9% (two cases) with tumours. Typical areas of infarction following vascular injuries could be identified in 15% of cases. Six out of 8 calcifications were associated with tuberculoma of the brain. It is noted that cystic changes are the end-results of most infarctions, infections and other diseases within the brain. Therefore, CT as a diagnostic tool is efficacious in determining the anatomical site of lesion, but incapable of elucidating the aetiological basis of such a lesion.