Prognostic significance of central motor conduction on the non-hemiplegic side in supratentorial hematoma.

Central motor conduction abnormalities have been reported on the hemiplegic side only. In a study on supratentorial intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), we found central motor conduction time (CMCT) prolongation on the non-hemiplegic side in 12 patients. This study reports the prognostic significance of CMCT prolongation on the non-hemiplegic side. CT scans were reviewed and CMCT was measured at the 2nd, 4th and 12th week. Recovery was defined on the basis of the 3 months' Barthel index score. Their mean age was 52 (range 25-60) years, 6 were males. Eight had putaminal, 3 thalamic and 1 frontal hematomata. The size of the hematoma was large in 5 and moderate in 7. The clinical signs of herniation were present in 5; radiological evidence of midline shift in 10 and tentorial herniation in 6 patients was also present. There was no other CT abnormality to account for the prolongation of CMCT on the non-hemiplegic side which returned to normal in all 5 patients after a mean duration of 34 (range 11-120) days. Five of these patients died and the remaining had a poor outcome. We conclude that CMCT prolongation on the non-hemiplegic side in supratentorial hematoma suggests a poor prognosis.