Objective      To explore the relationship of average middle cerebral artery blood flow velocity (V

m

MCA) and elbow vein blood platelet (PLT) count with incidence of possttraumatic cerebral infarction (PTCI).     

  Methods      We performed a retrospective analysis with the standard clinical data of 387 patients having craniocerebral injury and conservative treatment from June 2010 to January 2012

including V

m

MCA values of transcranial Doppler ultrasonography (TCD) examination and venous blood PLT count at 1

2

3

5

7 and 14 d after injury as well as a Glasgow coma scale (GCS) score 24 h after injury. The patients who suffered from cerebral infarction within 14 d were divided into an infarction group

and the patients who did not suffer from cerebral infarction within 14 d into a control group. In the infarction group

the patients suffering from cerebral infarction were rejected on measurement

and the remaining patients were compared with the control patients. The relationship of PTCI with V

m

MCA and PLT count at 1

2

3

5

7 and 14 d after injury was analyzed. The relationship of the GCS score with V

m

MCA and PLT count at 1 d after injury was also analyzed.       Results      V

m

MCA of the infarction group was higher than that of the control group at each time point (Z=-5.302

P

0.01)

while the PLT count of the infarction group was lower (Z=-6.702

P

0.01). One day after injury

higher V

m

MCA value was accompanied by lower PLT count

lower GCS score

and more serious injury degree.       Conclusion      The increase of V

m

MCA and decrease of PLT count after injury have relationship with the occurrence of PTCI. Combining V

m

MCA and PLT count has an early prediction effect for posttraumatic cerebral infarction. The V

m

MCA and PLT count 1 d after injury are useful for prediction of the injury severity.