Peripheral leukocyte count and classification in the early stage of cerebral hemorrhage and its significance

Objective: To observe the value of peripheral white blood cell(WBC) counting and classification in the early stage of intracerebral hemorrhage and its relationship with the prognosis of the patients.Methods: One hundred and two patients were classified into four groups according to the hematoma volume(<25 ml or ≥ 25 ml),ventricular rupture and hematoma enlargement.The peripheral WBC counting and classification were performed within 24 hours from onset and the results were compared with those of the normal controls.Results: The mean peripheral WBC and neutrophil counts were significantly higher in the patients with intracerebral hemorrhage than that in the controls(P<0.05 to P<0.01);the mean lymphocyte count was significantly lower than the controls(P<0.05 to P<0.01);the mean peripheral WBC and neutrophil counts were significantly higher in the ventricular rupture group than in the hematoma volume<25 ml group(P<0.01).Conclusions: The peripheral WBC starts to increase in the early stage of intracerebral hemorrhage.The degree of leukocytosis is related to the size of the hematoma and ventricular rupture.It may predict poor outcome.