Mnesic Profiles According to the Size of Pericerebral Hematoma in Patients with Traumatic Brain Injury

Objective: The study aims to assess mnesic performances of patients, following a head injury with pericerebral hematoma, according to the size of the hematoma. Methods: Cognitive performances of a group of 25 patients with large (>= 10 mm) pericerebral hematomas were compared with those of a matched group of 25 patients with small (< 10 mm) ones and a matched group of patient with moderate-severe traumatic brain injury with no pericerebral hematoma. Results: Executive function and information processing speed were not significantly different. Mnesic performances of the large hematomas group were more impaired: cuing effect (63.5 vs. 80% and 83%; p = 0.002; eta(2) = 0.183) and total recall (37.5/48 vs. 43.2 and 44.2; p = 0.022; eta(2) = 0.65) of the Free and Cued Recall Test. Conclusion: Memory of those in the large hematomas group was impaired with probable storage/consolidation disorders. To identify specific cognitive disorders resulting from large hematomas, it is justified to systematically screen these disorders and to adapt their management. (C) 2015 S. Karger AG, Basel