Use of somatosensory-evoked potentials and cognitive event-related potentials in predicting outcomes of patients with severe traumatic brain injury

OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to evaluate the usefulness of somatosensory-evoked potentials (SEPs) and cognitive event-related potentials (ERPs) in predicting functional outcomes of severe traumatic brain injury patients. DESIGN: Prospective study of 22 patients with severe traumatic brain injury. Demographic information, Glasgow Coma Scale, and electrophysiologic measurements were recorded. Functional outcomes, as quantified by the Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended, were obtained. RESULTS: Bilateral absence of median nerve SEP was strongly predictive of the worst functional outcome. The specificity and positive predictive value of absent SEP for predicting death or persistent vegetative state at 6 mo after traumatic brain injury were as high as 100%. If the definition of unfavorable outcome was expanded to include Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended 1-4, absence of ERP was equivalent to the absence of SEP in specificity and positive predictive value. On the other hand, normal ERPs showed higher sensitivity and negative predictive value for prognosticating the best outcomes compared with normal SEPs. If the definition of favorable outcome was expanded to include Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended 5-8, ERP was still superior to SEP for prognosticating good outcome. Interestingly, the highest sensitivity and negative predictive value for favorable outcomes were associated with the presence of any discernible waveform. CONCLUSIONS: Although median nerve SEP continues to make reliable prediction of ominous outcome in severe traumatic brain injury, the addition of the speech-evoked ERPs may be helpful in predicting favorable outcomes. The strength of the latter test seems to complement the weakness of the former.     

Predictive value of somatosensory evoked potentials for awakening from coma

OBJECTIVES: A systematic review of somatosensory evoked potentials performed early after onset of coma, to predict the likelihood of nonawakening. The pooled results were evaluated for rates of awakening, confidence intervals, and the possibility of rare exceptions. DATA SOURCES: Forty-one articles reporting somatosensory evoked potentials in comatose patients and subsequent outcomes, from 1983 to 2000. STUDY SELECTION: Studies were included if they reported coma etiology, age group, presence or absence of somatosensory evoked potentials, and coma outcomes. DATA EXTRACTION: We separated patients into four groups: adults with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, adults with intracranial hemorrhage, adults and adolescents with traumatic brain injury, and children and adolescents with any etiologies. Somatosensory evoked potentials were categorized as normal, abnormal, or bilaterally absent. Outcomes were categorized as persistent vegetative state or death vs. awakening. DATA SYNTHESIS: For each somatosensory evoked potential result, rates of awakening (95% confidence interval) were calculated: adult hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy: absent 0% (0%-1%), abnormal 22% (17%-26%), normal 52% (48%-56%); adult intracranial hemorrhage: absent 1% (0%-4%), present 38% (27%-48%); adult-teen traumatic brain injury: absent 5% (2%-7%), abnormal 70% (64%-75%), normal 89% (85%-92%); child-teen: absent 7% (4%-10%), abnormal 69% (61%-77%), normal 86% (80%-92%). CONCLUSIONS: Somatosensory evoked potential results predict the likelihood of nonawakening from coma with a high level of certainty. Adults in coma from hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy with absent somatosensory evoked potential responses have <1% chance of awakening.     

Are somatosensory evoked potentials the best predictor of outcome after severe brain injury? A systematic review

Objective Many tests have been used to predict outcome following severe brain injury. We compared predictive powers of clinical examination (pupillary responses, motor responses and Glasgow Coma Scale, GCS), electroencephalography (EEG) and computed tomography (CT) to that of somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) in a systematic review.Materials and methods Medline (1976–2002) and Embase (1980–2002) were searched, manual review of article reference lists was conducted, and authors were contacted. We selected 25 studies addressing the prediction of outcome after severe brain injury using SEPs and either GCS, EEG, CT, pupillary or motor responses. Outcomes were determined for patients with normal or bilaterally absent SEPs and graded measures of GCS, EEG, CT, pupillary responses or motor responses. For favourable outcome prediction SEPs were superior in sensitivity, specificity and positive and negative predictive values, except for pupillary responses which had superior sensitivity and GCS which had higher specificity. SEPs had superior summary receiver operating characteristic curves, with the exception of motor responses, and superior ratio of odds ratios. For unfavourable outcome prediction SEPs were superior to the other tests in sensitivity, specificity and positive and negative predictive values, except for motor and pupillary responses, GCS and CTs which had superior sensitivity. All SEP summary receiver operating characteristic curves and pooled ratio of odds ratios were superior.Conclusions Although imperfect, SEPs appear to be the best single overall predictor of outcome. There is sufficient evidence for clinicians to use SEPs in the prediction of outcome after brain injury.     

Severe brain injury in children: long-term outcome and its prediction using somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs)

Objective: To evaluate the outcome of children 1 and 5 years after severe brain injury (Glasgow Coma Score < 8) using a functional measure [Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS)] and a health status measure (the Torrance Health State (HUI:1)) and to determine the ability of somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) to predict these long-term outcomes. Design: Prospective study. Setting: A 16-bed paediatric intensive care unit in a tertiary children's hospital. Patients and participants: 105 children with severe brain injury. Interventions: SEPs were recorded once in the first week after admission. Outcome was assessed 1 and 5 years after injury using the GOS and at 5 years after injury using HUI:1. Measurements and results: At 5 years, using the GOS, 46 (43.8 %) children had a good outcome, 10 (9.5 %) were moderately disabled, 2 (1.9 %) severely disabled, 3 (2.9 %) vegetative and 44 (41.9 %) had died. At 5 years, 17 of 40 (42.5 %) survivors from 1 year had changed outcomes: 12 had improved, 3 had worsened and 2 had died. For a normal SEP, positive predictive power was 85.4 %, sensitivity 62.5 %, specificity 87.8 %, negative predictive power 67.2 % and the positive likelihood ratio was 5.1. For bilaterally absent responses, positive predictive power was 90.9 %, sensitivity 61.2 %, specificity 94.6 %, negative predictive power 73.6 % and the positive likelihood ratio was 11.4. Outcomes using HUI:1 were: 30 (28.6 %) had a good quality of life, 21 (20.0 %) had a moderate quality of life, 7 (6.7 %) a poor quality, 44 died (41.9 %) and 3 (2.9 %) survived in a state deemed worse than death. For a normal SEP, positive predictive power was 85.4 %, sensitivity 68.6 %, specificity 88.9 %, negative predictive power 75.0 % and the positive likelihood ratio was 6.2. For bilaterally absent responses, positive predictive power was 93.9 %, sensitivity 57.4 %, specificity 96.1 %, negative predictive power 68.1 % and the positive likelihood ratio was 14.6. Conclusion: The outcome for children with severe brain injury should be assessed 5 years after injury because important changes occur between 1 year and 5 years. Differences exist between outcomes assessed using the GOS and HUI:1 as they measure slightly different aspects of function. Consideration should therefore be given to using both measures. SEPs are excellent predictors of long-term outcome measured by either the GOS or the HUI:1. Received: 22 January 1999 Accepted: 19 April 1999     

大骨瓣减压治疗重型颅脑损伤疗效分析

目的探讨大骨瓣减压比较常规骨瓣减压治疗重型、特重型颅脑损伤的疗效和优势。方法回顾性分析本科近年收治的263例重型颅脑损伤（GCS≤8分）患者，治疗组135例[含特重治疗组（GCS≤5分）54例]采用标准大骨瓣开颅术减压，对照组128例（含特重对照组49例）采用常规骨瓣减压。术后6个月，比较GOS评定和并发症。结果治疗组有效96例（71.1％），对照组为75例（58.6％），P〈0.05；特重治疗组有效34例（63％），特重对照组为18例（36.7％），P〈0.01。治疗组在术后因继发颅内高压而再次手术的发生率低于对照组（P〈0.05），但术后迟发血肿和对侧硬膜下积液发生率多于对照组（P〈0，05）。结论大骨瓣减压治疗重型，尤其是特重型颅脑损伤，能提高治疗效率；减少因继发颅内高压而再次手术的发生；但术后迟发血肿和对侧硬膜下积液增多。     

Treatment of space-occupying cerebral infarction

OBJECTIVE: Patients with a hemispheric infarct accompanied by massive edema have a poor prognosis; the case fatality rate may be as high as 80%, and most survivors are left severely disabled. Various treatment strategies have been proposed to limit brain tissue shifts and to reduce intracranial pressure, but their use is controversial. We performed a systematic search of the literature to review the evidence of efficacy of these therapeutic modalities. DATA SOURCES: Literature searches were carried out on MEDLINE and PubMed. STUDY SELECTION: Studies were included if they were published in English between 1966 and February 2002 and addressed the effect of osmotherapy, hyperventilation, barbiturates, steroids, hypothermia, or decompressive surgery in supratentorial infarction with edema in animals or humans. DATA SYNTHESIS: Animal studies of medical treatment strategies in focal cerebral ischemia produced conflicting results. If any, experimental support for these strategies is derived from studies with animal models of moderately severe focal ischemia instead of severe space-occupying infarction. None of the treatment options have improved outcome in randomized clinical trials. Two large nonrandomized studies of decompressive surgery yielded promising results in terms of reduction of mortality and improvement of functional outcome. CONCLUSIONS: There is no treatment modality of proven efficacy for patients with space-occupying hemispheric infarction. Decompressive surgery might be the most promising therapeutic option. For decisive answers, randomized, controlled clinical trials are needed.     

Severe head injury: should expected outcome influence resuscitation and first-day decisions?

An early 'prognosis' based on initial findings can influence clinical decisions. To evaluate the quality of first-day outcome prediction based on either clinical or neuroradiological information, we prospectively examined 100 consecutive severely head-injured patients from the surgical intensive care unit. The prognoses were always made by the same experienced neurosurgeon and neuroradiologist according to a contracted Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS). Every patient's outcome was predicted according to a three-class GOS within 24 h after injury. Correct 'first-day' prognoses were made in 59 and 56% of the cases by the neuroradiologist and neurosurgeon, respectively. In those instances where the prognoses made by the clinician and the radiologist coincided, the prognoses were correct for 73% of the patients. Based on accepted criteria, the neuroradiologist tended to overpredict favorable outcomes and missed many of the unfavorable outcomes (dead or vegetative) whereas the clinician overestimated unfavorable outcomes. Our study showed that outcome prognosis of patients with severe head injury has limited accuracy when made within 24 h after the injury, although an improvement in accuracy occurred when there was agreement between clinical and radiological predictions. Even with sophisticated clinical and radiological technologies, it is not possible to predict outcome on the first day after the accident with sufficient accuracy to guide early management.     

Patterns of use of somatosensory-evoked potentials for comatose patients in Canada

PurposeTo measure how frequently somatosensory-evoked potentials (SEPs) are used in comatose patients after traumatic brain injury (TBI) and hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), how SEPs contribute to outcome prediction and clinical decision making, and how available they are to clinicians.MethodsA novel factual and scenario-based survey instrument to measure patterns of SEPs use in comatose patients due to HIE or TBI was distributed to critical care, neurology, and neurosurgical physicians across Canada. The analysis was based on 86 completed surveys from specialists in neurology (36), neurosurgery (24), and critical care (22).ResultsMost (73%) of respondents reported that SEPs were available. When provided clinical vignettes, only 36% indicated that they would use them in TBI and 49% would use them in HIE. When respondents ranked the various methods available for establishing prognosis for awakening, SEP was ranked after cerebral blood flow and magnetic resonance imaging. The majority did not accurately estimate chances of awakening when SEP responses were bilaterally absent.ConclusionsThere are significant opportunities to optimize the use of SEPs in comatose patients including standardizing SEP testing and reporting, better communicating results to critical care physicians, and improving the understanding regarding the recommended use and interpretation of these tests.     

Severe Traumatic Brain Injury in Austria V: CT findings and surgical management

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this paper is to describe CT findings and surgical management of patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) in Austria. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data sets from 415 patients treated by 5 Austrian hospitals were available. The analysis focused on incidence, surgical management, and outcome of different types of intracranial lesions, and outcome of surgical interventions with and without monitoring of intracranial pressure (ICP). For the first analysis we assigned the patients to 16 groups based on the type of lesion as evaluated by CT scan. For the second analysis we created 4 groups based on surgical treatment (yes/no) and ICP monitoring (yes/no). RESULTS: The mean age was 48.9 years with a male to female ratio of 299:116. The most frequent single lesions were contusions (CONT) and diffuse brain edema. Combined lesions were far more common than single lesions; the most frequently observed combinations included CONT and subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) with or without subdural hematoma (SDH). Surgery was done in 276 (66.5%) patients. Osteoplastic surgery (OPS; n = 221) was the most common method followed by osteoclastic surgery (OCS; n = 91) and decompressive craniectomy (DEC; n = 15). ICU mortality was 29.7% for all patients who had any kind of surgery, which was lower than that of patients who were treated non-operatively (33.1%). The ICU mortality of patients with SDH was lower with OCS (18.8%) than with OPS (36.0%). Patients who received ICP monitoring but did not require surgery had the lowest 90 day mortality (17.5%). CONCLUSIONS: ICP monitoring seems to be beneficial in both operatively and non-operatively treated patients with severe TBI. Patients with SDH who were operated on had significantly better outcomes. In patients with SDH, their outcome after osteoclastic surgery was significantly better than after osteoplastic procedures.     

大骨瓣开颅个体化减压术治疗重型颅脑损伤脑疝患者的效果观察

目的探讨大骨瓣开颅个体化减压术对重型颅脑损伤脑疝患者的手术方法和治疗效果。方法回顾性分析2007年1月至2010年9月采用大骨瓣开颅个体化减压术治疗98例重型颅脑损伤脑疝患者的效果。结果伤后6个月GOS评估法判定其疗效：良好（5分）27例,中残（4分）23例,重残（3分）28例,植物生存（2分）6例,死亡（1分）14例;预后较好（良好和中残）者占51％,预后较差或差（重残、植物生存和死亡）者占49％。结论大骨瓣开颅个体化减压术治疗重型颅脑损伤脑疝患者有较好疗效,能有效降低大骨瓣减压术后并发症的发生。     

Secondary insults in severe head injury--do multiply injured patients do worse?

OBJECTIVES: To study the occurrence of secondary insults and the influence of extracranial injuries on cerebral oxygenation and outcome in patients with closed severe head injury (Glasgow Coma Scale score < or =8). DESIGN: Two-year prospective, clinical study. SETTING: Two intensive care units in a level III trauma center. PATIENTS: We studied 119 patients. Eighty patients had severe head injury and were divided into two categories: "isolated" severe head injury patients (n = 36, Injury Severity Score <30), and severe head injury patients with associated extracranial injuries (n = 44, Injury Severity Score >29). Thirty-nine patients with extracranial injuries and no head injury served as the control group. INTERVENTIONS: After patients were admitted to the intensive care unit, we began continuous multimodal cerebral monitoring of intracranial pressure, mean arterial blood pressure, cerebral perfusion pressure, end-tidal Co2, brain tissue Po2 (Licox), jugular bulb oxyhemoglobin saturation in severe head injury patients, and mean arterial blood pressure in the control group. Targets of management included intracranial pressure <20 mm Hg, cerebral perfusion pressure >60 mm Hg, Paco2 > 30 mm Hg, control of cerebral oxygenation, and delayed surgery for non-life-threatening extracranial lesions. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Data were analyzed for critical thresholds. The occurrence of secondary insults (intracranial pressure >20 mm Hg, mean arterial blood pressure <70 mm Hg, cerebral perfusion pressure <60 mm Hg, end-tidal Co2 <30 torr, brain tissue Po2 <10 torr, jugular bulb oxyhemoglobin saturation <50%) was comparable in patients with isolated severe head injury and those with severe head injury with associated extracranial lesions (Abbreviated Injury Scale score < or =5). The duration of intracranial hypertension and arterial hypotension significantly correlated with an unfavorable outcome, independent of the Injury Severity Score. In patients with severe head injury, 1-yr outcome was 29% dead or vegetative, 17% severely disabled, and 54% moderate or good outcome. This was similar to patients with severe head injury and extracranial injuries (31% dead or vegetative, 14% severely disabled, and 56% moderate or good outcome) and was independent of the Injury Severity Score. Patients with no head injury had less secondary insults (mean arterial blood pressure <70 mm Hg, p <.01) and a better outcome compared with both severe head injury groups (p <.044). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with severe head injury who have targeted management including intracranial pressure- and cerebral perfusion pressure-guided therapy and delayed surgery for extracranial lesions, the occurrence of secondary insults in the intensive care unit and long-term neurological outcome were comparable and independent of the presence of extracranial lesions (Abbreviated Injury Severity level < or =5). A severe head injury is still a major contributor predicting an unfavorable outcome in multiply injured patients.     

Derivation of a bioclinical prognostic index in severe head injury

We investigated the problem of outcome prediction from seven risk factors in 40 severely head injured patients-13 favorable and 27 unfavorable outcomes. By applying stepwise logistic discriminant analysis to the patients' data, we selected three significant risk variables: cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) CK-BB isoenzyme activity recorded on admission, severely raised intracranial pressure (more than 40 mmHg) and age, respectively. CSF CK-BB activity, which quantifies the initial neurological damage, proved to be the best prognostic factor. The presence of severe intracranial hypertension was always associated with a bad outcome, whereas its absence was not necessarily indicative of good prognosis. Finally, we combined the three selected variables into a single risk index, which allowed correct predictions in 92% of patients with favorable outcome and in 85% of patients with unfavorable outcome (total predictive efficiency 88%).     

High early phase hemoglobin level is associated with favorable neurological outcome in patients with severe traumatic brain injury

BackgroundThe appropriate hemoglobin (Hb) level threshold for the early phase (i.e. from Emergency Department to ICU admission) in patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) is still unknown. Therefore, we aimed to examine the association between Hb levels during the early phase and neurological outcomes in patients with severe TBI using data from the Brain Hypothermia (B-HYPO) Study Group.MethodsWe performed a post-hoc analysis of the B-HYPO study (a prospective, multicenter, randomized controlled trial on patients with severe TBI who received either mild therapeutic hypothermia [MTH; 32.0 °C–34.0 °C] or fever control [35.5 °C–37.0 °C]). We calculated Hb levels during early phase by the formula: (admission Hb + Hb on day 1) / 2. The primary outcome was the association between during early phase Hb levels and 6-month neurological outcome after the TBI based on the Glasgow Outcome Scale scores (a measure of functional recovery defined as moderate disability or good recovery).ResultsWe reviewed data from 130 patients and found favorable neurological outcomes in 48.5% of them. We found significant differences between the favorable and unfavorable neurological outcome groups in terms of their Hb levels on admission and on day 1. But, we found no Hb level differences after day 3 (including 1 day after rewarming). Our multivariable analysis showed that Hb levels during early phase were significantly associated with favorable neurological outcomes (odds ratio, 1.387; 95% confidence interval, 1.057–1.858; P = 0.018).ConclusionsHigh early phase Hb levels are associated with favorable neurological outcomes after severe TBI.     

创伤性大脑浅静脉损伤对颅脑创伤患者预后的影响

目的 探讨大脑浅静脉损伤对创伤性脑梗死形成及颅脑创伤患者预后的影响.方法 连续前瞻性地收集73例行急性硬膜下血肿和(或)脑内血肿清除加标准去骨瓣减压术的颅脑创伤患者的影像学和临床资料,按术中观察是否存在大脑浅静脉损伤分为大脑浅静脉损伤组和大脑浅静脉未损伤组,比较两组创伤性脑梗死的发生率及预后.结果 术中发现存在大脑浅静脉损伤44例,其中发生创伤性静脉性脑梗死40例,预后不佳26例(59.1%)(死亡8例,植物生存11例,重残7例),预后较佳18例(40.9%)(中残7例,良好11例);术中未发现大脑浅静脉损伤29例,其中发生创伤性脑梗死仅3例,预后不佳10例(34.5%)(死亡1例,植物生存3例,重残6例),预后较佳19例(65.5%)(中残8例,良好11例),两组比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05).结论 大脑浅静脉损伤是发生创伤性脑梗死的重要原因,大脑浅静脉损伤会严重影响颅脑创伤患者的预后.     

Can specific patient variables be used to predict outcome of intracranial hemorrhage?

The study objective was to identify the demographic, physiologic, and anatomic variables associated with outcomes of patients with intracranial hemorrhages. We performed a prospective study of all patients with known or suspected intracranial hemorrhages transferred from a community hospital to the neurosurgical service of tertiary care centers in Toronto. Outcomes measured were patient disposition (admitted v discharged immediately), management (neurosurgical interventions v observation) and survival until discharge v death. Patient variables recorded pre- and post-transfer were analyzed using the statistical programs C.H.A.I.D. and C.A.R.T.(Answer-Tree Software, SPSS Inc.Headquarters, Chicago, IL). Two linear regression trees were constructed to reveal associations with each outcome. Sixty-seven patients between the ages of 24 and 89 were included in the study. Of these, 1 was referred for an epidural bleed, 20 for subdural bleeds, 21 for subarachnoid hemorrhages, and 25 for intracerebral hemorrhages. Thirteen of the patients in the study died or remained with permanent, severe neurological deficits. Of these, none had epidural hemorrhages, 4 had subdural hemorrhages, 5 had subarachnoid hemorrhages, and 4 had intracerebral hemorrhages. The linear regression tree constructed with C.A.R.T. revealed that the most important predictor of outcome was the GCS score of the patient on arrival at the neurosurgical center. Specifically, 71.43% of individuals arriving with a GCS score less than or equal to 7 died or remained with a severe neurological deficit, whereas only 5.66% of individuals arriving with a GCS score greater than or equal to 8 had such an outcome (P<.11). The regression tree constructed using C.H.A.I.D. revealed a similar result. Patients with a GCS score less than or equal to 5 on arrival at the neurosurgical center had a 70% chance of dying or remaining with a severe neurological deficit, whereas those with a GCS score greater than or equal to 13 had a 0% chance of having such an outcome (P <.0001). Furthermore, 100% of patients with post-transfer GCS scores less than or equal to 5 and an absent gag reflex died or remained with a severe neurological deficit compared with only 25% of those with a GCS score less than or equal to 5 with an intact gag reflex (P =.0005). This study also revealed a number of incidental findings. The presence of bilateral unreactive pupils, absent corneal reflex or absent vestibulo-ocular reflex (dolls-eye) independently predicted mortality in 100% of patients (not statistically significant). No patient with any of the following characteristics: any pupillary abnormality or age > 62 with a GCS < 5, achieved a normal functional outcome. Within the population of patients referred from community hospitals to a neurosurgical center for evaluation of intracranial hemorrhage, specific clinical findings are powerful predictors of mortality and poor functional outcome. Patients with a post-transfer GCS score <= 5 and an absent gag reflex had a 100% incidence of death or severe, permanent neurological dysfunction compared with only 25% of those arriving with GCS scores <= 5 with an intact gag reflex (P =.0005). Additionally, The presence of bilateral unreactive pupils, absent corneal reflex and absent vestibulo-ocular reflex independently predicted mortality in 100% of patients (not statistically significant). Other clinical findings including any pupillary abnormality and GCS <=5 combined with age => 62 negated the possibility of normal functional outcome (not statistically significant). These findings may have wide-ranging implications regarding the transfer and treatment of patients with intracranial hemorrhages, use of resources and counseling of families.     

Primer on medical management of severe brain injury

OBJECTIVE: To review the current understanding of the medical management of severe brain injury. DATA SOURCE: The MEDLINE database, bibliographies of selected articles, and current English-language texts on the subject. STUDY SELECTION: Studies related to management of intracranial hypertension, traumatic brain injury, and brain edema. DATA EXTRACTION: All studies relevant to the subject under consideration were considered, with a focus on clinical studies in adults. DATA SYNTHESIS: Basic rules of resuscitation must apply, including adequate ventilation, appropriate fluid administration, and cardiovascular support. The control of intracranial pressure can be considered in three steps. The first step should be initial slight hyperventilation with a target PaCO2 of 35 mm Hg and cerebrospinal fluid drainage for intracranial pressure of >15-20 mm Hg. The second step should be mannitol or hypertonic saline and hyperventilation to target PaCO2 of 28-35 mm Hg. The third step should be barbiturate coma or decompressive craniectomy. Additional management issues, including seizure prophylaxis, sedation, nutritional support, use of hypothermia, and corticosteroids, are also discussed. CONCLUSIONS: Brain injury is frequently associated with the development of brain edema and the development of intracranial hypertension. However, with a coordinated, stepwise, and aggressive approach to management, focusing on control of intracranial pressure without adversely affecting cerebral perfusion pressure, outcomes can be good.     

Therapy of malignant intracranial hypertension by controlled lumbar cerebrospinal fluid drainage

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of controlled lumbar cerebrospinal fluid drainage in adult patients with refractory intracranial hypertension. DESIGN: Prospective, pre- vs. postintervention study. SETTING: Surgical intensive care unit of a university hospital. PATIENTS: Twenty-three patients with severe traumatic brain injury or delayed ischemia after subarachnoid hemorrhage with intracranial hypertension refractory to aggressive treatment, including repeated applications of tromethamine, hypertonic saline solution, barbiturate coma, and decompressive craniectomy. Patients were considered for controlled lumbar cerebrospinal fluid drainage if basal cisterns on computerized tomography scan were discernible. INTERVENTIONS: After institution of a lumbar drain, cerebrospinal fluid was gradually aspirated, and then, continuous cerebrospinal fluid drainage was maintained under control of intracranial pressure (ICP) and pupillary status. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: ICP and cerebral perfusion pressure before and after initiation of lumbar cerebrospinal fluid drainage and related complications were documented. The neurologic outcome of the patients was assessed according to the Glasgow Outcome Scale 6 months after injury. As a result of lumbar cerebrospinal fluid drainage, all patients demonstrated an immediate and lasting decrease of ICP and a concomitant increase of cerebral perfusion pressure. Two patients temporarily showed a unilateral fixed and dilated pupil 6 and 8 hrs after onset of lumbar cerebrospinal fluid drainage, respectively. Ten patients showed a favorable outcome, four patients survived with a severe permanent neurologic deficit, one patient remained in a persistent vegetative state, and eight patients died. CONCLUSIONS: Controlled lumbar cerebrospinal fluid drainage significantly reduces refractory intracranial hypertension. The danger of transtentorial or tonsillar herniation is minimized by considering lumbar drainage in the presence of discernible basilar cisterns only.     

Severe Traumatic Brain Injury in Austria IV: Intensive care management

OBJECTIVES: The goal of this paper is to describe the ICU management of severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) in Austria. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data sets from 415 patients included by 5 Austrian hospitals were available. The analysis focused on complications and outcomes of intensive care, monitoring of intracranial pressure (ICP), efficacy of interventions to control ICP, management of hemodynamics and cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP), ventilation, and effects of hyperglycaemia. RESULTS: Overall ICU mortality was 30.8%; 90-day mortality was 35.7%. Final outcome was favorable in 33%, unfavorable in 51%, and in 16% the final outcome was unknown. An ICP monitoring device was used in 64%; most patients received intraparenchymal sensors (77%). Events associated with mortality > 50% were CPP < 50 mm Hg for > 12 hours/day, ICP > 25 mm Hg for > 12 hours/day, and MAP < 70 mm Hg for > 18 hours/day. The use of ICP monitoring was associated with significantly reduced ICU mortality. Interventions that may have improved the outcome included the use of barbiturates (short-term), hypertonic saline, moderate hyperventilation (33 < pCO2 < 37; p < 0.001 vs. aggressive hyper-and normoventilation), and normothermia. Hyperglycaemia was associated with poor outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed that ICU management of patients with severe TBI mostly follows international guidelines, and that outcome was comparable to or even better than that reported by other authors. Low CPP was associated with poor outcome, and was more often due to low MAP than to elevated ICP. The use of barbiturates and hypertonic saline was more common than expected. CPP should be maintained > 50 mm Hg, the use of catecholamines, fluid loading, barbiturates (short-term), moderate hyperventilation, hypertonic saline, and insulin may improve outcome after severe TBI.     

Refractory intracranial hypertension and “second-tier” therapies in traumatic brain injury

Objective To quantify the occurrence of high intracranial pressure (HICP) refractory to conventional medical therapy after traumatic brain injury (TBI) and to describe the use of more aggressive therapies (profound hyperventilation, barbiturates, decompressive craniectomy). Design Prospective study of 407 consecutive TBI patients Setting Three neurosurgical intensive care units (ICU). Measurements and results Intracranial pressure (ICP) was studied during the first week after TBI; 153 patients had at least 1 day of ICP > 20 mmHg. Early surgery was necessary for 221 cases, and standard medical therapy [sedation, mannitol, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) withdrawal, PaCO₂ 30–35 mmHg] was used in 135 patients. Reinforced treatment (PaCO₂ 25–29 mmHg, induced arterial hypertension, muscle relaxants) was used in 179 cases (44%), and second-tier therapies in 80 (20%). Surgical decompression and/or barbiturates were used in 28 of 407 cases (7%). Six-month outcome was recorded in 367 cases using the Glasgow outcome scale (GOS). The outcome was favorable (good recovery or moderate disability) in 195 cases (53%) and unfavorable (all the other categories) in 172 (47%). HICP was associated with worse outcome. Outcome for cases who had received second-tier therapies was significantly worse (43% favorable at 6 months, p = 0.03). Conclusions HICP is frequent and is associated with worse outcome. ICP was controlled by early surgery and first-tier therapies in the majority of cases. Profound hyperventilation, surgical decompression and barbiturates were used in various combinations in a minority of cases. The indications for surgical decompression and/or barbiturates seem restricted to less than 10% of severe TBI.     

Results of a Multinational Study Suggest the Need for Rapid Diagnosis and Early Antiviral Treatment at the Onset of Herpetic Meningoencephalitis

Data in the literature regarding the factors that predict unfavorable outcomes in adult herpetic meningoencephalitis (HME) cases are scarce. We conducted a multicenter study in order to provide insights into the predictors of HME outcomes, with special emphasis on the use and timing of antiviral treatment. Samples from 501 patients with molecular confirmation from cerebrospinal fluid were included from 35 referral centers in 10 countries. Four hundred thirty-eight patients were found to be eligible for the analysis. Overall, 232 (52.9%) patients experienced unfavorable outcomes, 44 died, and 188 survived, with sequelae. Age (odds ratio [OR], 1.04; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02 to 1.05), Glasgow Coma Scale score (OR, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.77 to 0.93), and symptomatic periods of 2 to 7 days (OR, 1.80; 95% CI, 1.16 to 2.79) and >7 days (OR, 3.75; 95% CI, 1.72 to 8.15) until the commencement of treatment predicted unfavorable outcomes. The outcome in HME patients is related to a combination of therapeutic and host factors. This study suggests that rapid diagnosis and early administration of antiviral treatment in HME patients are keys to a favorable outcome.