Computed tomographic findings of good prognosis for hemiplegia in hypertensive putaminal hemorrhage.

Computed tomography (CT) findings were analyzed in 17 patients with hypertensive putaminal hemorrhage accompanied by hemiplegia which had subsided almost completely by conservative therapy within one month after the onset. In such patients a high density area was not seen at the level of the lateral ventricles on CT scan. To study the reason for this, the relationship between the extent of a hematoma and the level at which the pyramidal tract was destroyed was investigated. From consideration of the process of destruction of the pyramidal tract by a hematoma, it seemed that CT findings at the level of the bodies of the lateral ventricles, rather than at the level of the posterior limb of the internal capsule, were of value in evaluating the prognosis of hemiplegia in putaminal hemorrhage.