Abstract

Objective: The linear relationship between density of hematomas on unenhanced computed tomography and hemoglobin levels were shown before. However, there are no studies about the effects of platelet count and functions on density values of hematomas. Our aim is to investigate the relationship between the density of hematomas measured on unenhanced Computed Tomography scans and platelet count and functions.
Materials and Methods: Seventy seven patients diagnosed with intracranial hematoma by unenhanced computed tomography scans between the ages of 10 and 89, who did not have anemia or coagulopathy, were included in the study. The density values of intracranial hematomas were measured on independent computed tomography diagnostic console. Patients were divided into two groups according to their hematoma densities as higher or lower than 60 Hounsfield Units. The relationship between the densities of hematomas and platelet count, mean platelet volume, platelet distribution width, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and red cell distribution width were investigated in all the patient population among the two groups.
Results: It has been found that the hematoma densities were only significantly correlated with mean platelet volume values among the blood parameters in the study population (p=0,007). Also, a significantly statistical correlation was found between mean platelet volume values of the two groups. (p=0,003).
Conclusion: Mean platelet volume is a significant factor that affects hematoma density value on computed tomography like hemoglobin. It is considered that this finding may also be a reason that explains the differences between hematoma densities of patients without anemia and coagulopathy.

Key words: Intracranial Hematoma; Computed Tomography; Mean Platelet Volume.