Abstract
This study attemped to analyze the quantitative and qualitative effect of hematoma within in the thalamus on the constructional function and discussed about Corticothalamic fiber connection.
46 patients weth left thalamic hemorrhage (left-group) and 31 patients with right thalamic hemorrhage (right-group) were analyzed with WAIS (performance), Coloured Matrices and Benton's Visual Retention test A at average 35 days after onset.
Quantitaively, no differences in WAIS were observed between the two groups. In the sites of hematoma it revealed that group 1 (middle and localized) showed “dull normal” , group 2 (dorso-lateral without rupture into the ventricle) and group4 (anterior) showed “borderline” , and group 3 (dorso-lateral with rupture into the ventricle) showed “mental defective” .
Qualitatively, the analysis of the result of Coloured Matrices revealed that “reduction of thinking” and “no-response” predominated in left-group. On the other hand, “inattention” was dominant in right-group. Benton's Visual Retention Test A showed that “omission” in left-group and “distortion” in right-group were dominant respectively.
Our observations were good agreement with the given by Hartje et al, regarding the difference of the quality of constructional disability originating from left or right cerebral hemispheres, and we concluded that these impairment accompanied by thalamic hemorrhage depends on the damage to the fiber connections between the thalamus and cerebral cortex.
Also, in the right group incorrective selection of left and right sides of Coloured Matrices was in the ratio of 1.0 : 3.1 respectively. This result seems to support the theory by Uemura et al, regarding the development of non-verbal abstract conception (i. e., visual space, recognition, etc.) owing to integration by the thalamus and non-dominant hemisphere.
