Objective:
The leucocyte count has been found to increase in response to trauma. We studied the relationship between Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), prognosis, and leucocyte count in patients with head trauma.
Materials and Methods:
Records of 100 patients with head trauma (24 children, 32 adult females, 44 adult males) presenting to our tertiary emergency department and admitted to the neurosurgery department were examined. Glasgow Coma Scores and blood leucocyte counts were measured daily. Patients were diagnosed with head CT in all cases.
Results:
Final diagnoses were subdural hematoma with linear fracture in seven, epidural hematoma with linear fracture in twelve, linear or displaced fracture in 30, traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage in five, and brain edema in 35. IN 11 the CT was normal. GCS ranged from 4-15 and a negative correlation was found between GCS and leucocyte count. The mean leucocyte count was higher in patients who died.
Discussion:
The blood leucocyte count may play a role in determining prognosis in head trauma patients.
Keywords: Head trauma, leucocytosis