[Post-traumatic temporal lobe lesions: surgical decision making based on CT scan findings].
BACKGROUND
The indication for surgical treatment of post-traumatic parenchymal lesions in the temporal lobe remains controversial.


OBJECTIVE
We reviewed the tomographic parameters that might be useful in making surgical decisions.


METHODS
The tomographic findings of 69 patients were analyzed in a retrospective manner considering: 1) the effects of the lesion (classified into 4 variables: midline shift, status of the cisterns, status of the ventricles, and status of the peripheral sulci); and 2) the characteristics of the lesion: anterior, posterior or anteroposterior location (as defined by a coronal plane tangent to the cerebral peduncles) and its mediolateral diameter.


RESULTS
When none or only one of the aforementioned variables was found to be altered, conservative treatment was instituted (22 out of 38 lesions). In two cases, all four variables were altered, and surgery was performed in both. Anterior, anteroposterior and posterior lesions measuring 21, 23 and 28 mm in diameter, respectively, had a 50% chance of surgical removal.


CONCLUSIONS
Amongst the patients who underwent surgical intervention, the more anterior the location of the temporal lobe lesion, the smaller the diameter.
Giannetti
Alexandre Varella
AV
Hospital João XXIII, FHEMIG, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil. agjg@zaz.com.br
Prandini
Mirto Nelso
MN
Araujo
Audrey Beatriz Santos
AB
Herval
Lina Márcia de Araujo
LM
D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013702:Temporal Lobe / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed