Prognosis in traumatic intraventricular haemorrhage

Summary Traumatic intraventricular haemorrhage (TVH) is rare. The clinical profile and prognosis in 16 patients with traumatic intraventricular haemorrhage after blunt head injury are evaluated. Majority of the patients (94%) had low Glasgow coma score (<8) on admission and none had a lucid interval. CT showed haematoma adjacent to the foramen of Monroe in 5 patients and localised to the frontal horn or the body of the lateral ventricle in six. The mortality was 62.5% in this subgroup of patients with head injury. Our findings are compared to those of previous reports in the literature.The poor prognosis of cases with TVH reflects the severity of trauma and general brain damage and is probably not related only to the intraventricular bleeding.     

Computed tomography findings and early cognitive outcome after traumatic brain injury

Primary objective: To examine the relationship between CT abnormalities and early neuropsychological outcome following traumatic brain injury (TBI) using quantitative CT analyses, data reduction methods for neuropsychological results and specific hypotheses based on literature review.

Research design: Observational, prospective cohort study using acute (emergency) CT data and neuropsychological test data from 89 participants with TBI who were hospitalized for rehabilitation.

Methods and procedures: Principal components analysis with varimax rotation was used to reduce data from a standard battery of eight neuropsychological tests administered after clearance of post-traumatic amnesia (1 month post-TBI on average). Bivariate correlations were used to examine relationships of three factors (verbal memory, cognitive processing speed and verbal working memory) to quantitative volumetric analysis of CT scan abnormalities (size, number and location). Specific hypotheses as to CT predictors of poor performance on each factor were tested using multivariable linear regression that included injury severity and demographic variables.

Main results: Eighty-nine per cent of participants had some pathology on initial CT. Age, education and time to follow commands (TFC), an index of overall injury severity, were significantly associated with the neuropsychological factors. However, none of the specific hypotheses about CT scan variables and cognitive outcome were strongly supported by the data. There was a trend for any CT abnormality to predict slower speed of processing and for higher number of brain lesions to predict worse memory performance.

Conclusions: Despite the precision added by quantitative CT analysis, CT findings did not improve on demographic factors and TFC in predicting early cognitive outcome of TBI. Imaging methods that are more sensitive to white matter integrity may be needed to develop pathophysiologic predictors of TBI outcome.     

Incidence of intracranial injury in orbital wall fracture patients not classified as traumatic brain injury

ObjectiveThe detection of intracranial injury in patients with facial injury rather than traumatic brain injury (TBI) remains a challenge for emergency physicians. This study aimed to evaluate the incidence and risk factors of intracranial injury in patients with orbital wall fracture (OWF), who were classified with a chief complaint of facial injury rather than TBI.MethodsThis retrospective case-control study enrolled adult OWF patients (age ≥18 years) who presented at the hospital between January 2004 and March 2016. Patients with definite TBI were excluded because non-contrast head computed tomography (CT) is recommended for such patients.ResultsA total of 1220 patients with OWF were finally enrolled. CT of the head was performed on 677 patients, and the incidence of concomitant intracranial injury was found to be 9% (62/677). Patients with definite TBI were excluded. Symptoms raising a suspicion of TBI, such as loss of consciousness, alcohol intoxication, or vomiting, were present in 347 of the patients, with 44 of these patients (13%) showing a concomitant intracranial injury. Of the 330 patients without such symptoms, 18 (6%) demonstrated a concomitant intracranial injury. In OWF patients, superior wall fracture (odds ratio [OR], 4.15; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.06–8.34; P < 0.001), associated frontal bone fracture (OR, 4.38; 95% CI, 2.08–9.23; P < 0.001), and older age (decades) (OR, 1.03; 95% CI, 1.01–1.04; P = 0.002) were independent risk factors for concomitant intracranial injury.ConclusionsEmergency physicians should maintain a high degree of suspicion of TBI, even when their primary concern is facial trauma with OWF. Head CT is recommended for OWF patients with a superior OWF, frontal bone fracture, or increased age.     

Simultaneous head and facial computed tomography scans for assessing facial fractures in patients with traumatic brain injury

IntroductionPatients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) may have concomitant facial fractures. While most head injury patients receive head computed tomography (CT) scans for initial evaluation, the objective of our study was to investigate the value of simultaneous facial CT scans in assessing facial fractures in patients with TBI.MethodsFrom January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2015, 1649 consecutive patients presenting to our emergency department (ED) with a TBI who received CT scans using the protocol for head and facial bones were enrolled. The clinical data and CT images were reviewed via a standardized format.ResultsIn our cohort, 200 patients (12.1%) had at least one facial fracture shown on the CT scans. Patients with facial fractures were more likely to have initial loss of consciousness (ILOC; p < 0.001), a Glasgow coma scale of 8 or less (p < 0.001), moderate or severe degrees of head injury severity scale (p < 0.001), positive physical examination findings (p < 0.001), and positive CT cranial abnormalities (p < 0.001). A total of 166 (83.0%) patients with facial fractures required further facial CT scans instead of conventional head CT scans alone. Surgical intervention was mandatory in 73 (44.0%) of the 166 patients, who more frequently exhibited fractures of the lower third of the face (p < 0.001) and orbital fractures (p = 0.019).ConclusionsTBI patients with risk factors may have a higher probability of concomitant facial fractures. Fractures of the lower third of the face and orbit are easily overlooked in routine head CT scans but often require surgical intervention. Therefore, simultaneous head and facial CT scans are suggested in selected TBI patients.     

Correlation of Computed Tomography Findings and Serum Brain Damage Markers Following Severe Head Injury

Summary  The objective of our study was to investigate the association between the initial levels of serum S-100B protein and neuron specific enolase and the severitiy of radiologically visible brain damage and outcome after severe head injury.  Admission computed tomography (CT) scans of forty-four patients with severe head injury were analysed. Initial levels of S-100B protein and neuron specific enolase were compared between the different outcome groups at 6 month, the different categories of the Marshall classification, the presence of traumatic subarachnoid haemorrhage, the type of haematoma and the volume of contusion.  Serum S-100B was significantly higher in patients with unfavourable outcome (1.1 μg/1 versus 0.3 μg/1, p<0.005, Mann-Whitney U test). In diffuse injury, unfavourable outcome significantly increased with higher Marshall grades (p<0.05). There was a significant correlation between the four grades of diffuse injury and initial serum S-100B protein (r=0.48, p<0.001). Patients with focal mass lesions and a favourable outcome after 6 month had significantly lower S-100B values than those who had an unfavourable outcome (0.51 μg/l versus 1.3 μg/1, p<0.05). A significant correlation was demonstrated between the volume of contusion visible on CT scans and serum S-100B (r=0.58, p<0.001).  In our study, initial serum S-100B protein was a powerful predictor of outcome even within the same category of radiologically visible brain damage. Serum S-100B protein may provide independent information about the severity of primary brain damage after head injury.     

Clinical predictors and neuropsychological outcome in severe traumatic brain injury patients

Summary Background. The aim of the study was to evaluate the possible significant role of some clinical factors in predicting cognitive outcome in a group of severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients, with Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) lower than 8 and duration of unconsciousness for at least 15 days (prolonged coma).Method. A consecutive sample of 25 survivors of severe TBI attending the Physical and Cognitive Rehabilitation program participated in this study. The neuropsychological test battery included: Word-list Learning, Prose recall, Rey Figure Delayed recall, Word fluency, Ravens Progressive Matrices 47. The clinical variables evaluated in correlation with the neuropsychological outcome were the following: age, duration of unconsciousness, duration of post-traumatic amnesia, interval from head trauma to neuropsychological evaluation, interval from head trauma to recovery of oral feeding, and finally interval from head trauma to first verbal communication.Findings. The clinical variable with a significant predictive value on most neuropsychological scores was the interval from head trauma to the recovery of oral feeding.Conclusions. If this result is confirmed in larger samples, time interval of oral feeding recovery from head trauma should be considered as a possible predictor of neuropsychological outcome in TBI patients with prolonged coma.     

Computed tomography in staging of patients with melanoma metastatic to the regional nodes

Background: This study addresses the yield and clinical impact of computed tomography (CT) imaging in otherwise asymptomatic patients with stage III melanoma metastatic to the regional nodes. Methods: The database from the University of Michigan Mutlidisciplinary Melanoma Clinic was reviewed and identified 127 asymptomatic patients with stage III melanoma (regional nodal disease) who received CT scans of the head, chest, abdomen, and/or pelvis. Scans were confirmed as true positive, false positive, and normal. Results: Four hundred twenty-six head and body CT scans were performed at the time of presentation of stage III disease. Twenty patients had a true-positive CT scan revealing unsuspected metastases. Fifteen patients had abnormal CT scans subsequently shown to be a benign process or second malignancy. The incidence of true-positive CT scans was not different between the groups of patients who had clinically apparent versus occult nodal disease. There was a significantly higher incidence of abdominal and pelvic metastatic sites identified by CT scan in patients with inguinal nodal disease compared with axillary or head and neck node-positive patients. Conclusions: The yield of detection of unsuspected metastases by CT scans in asymptomatic patients with stage III melanoma was not insignificant. Because patients with resected stage III disease are recommended to have adjuvant interferon-α for 1 year, CT staging plays an important role in identifying appropriate candidates for treatment. The toxicity of interferon-α therapy is not insignificant. The value of routine CT in asymptomatic patients with nodal metastasis deserves further prospective study.     

Role of Computed tomography in predicting prognosis of Hepatic portal venous gas

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to report through 13 cases the particularities of abdominal computed tomography (CT) aspects of hepatic portal venous gas (HPVG) and its correlation with patient prognosis.MethodsWe analyzed abundance of HPVG and its association with pneumatosis intestinalis (PI) in correlation with fatal outcome using chi-square tests.ResultsEtiologies were mesenteric infarction (n = 5), sigmoid diverticulitis (n =  1), septic shock (n = 1), postoperative peritonitis (n = 1), acute pancreatitis (n = 1), iatrogenic cause (n = 3) and idiopathic after a laparotomy (n = 1). The outcome was fatal in for 6 patients. Abundance of HPV was expressed in total number of hepatic segments involved. The involvement of 3 or more segments was a sensitive sign for lethal outcome with high sensitivity (100%) but it was not specific (50%). Negative predictive value of this sign was 100% (p ≤ 0.005). Positive predictive value of PI for death was 100% (p ≤ 0.001).DiscussionAbundance of HPVG is correlated with prognosis. The presence of PI announces poor outcome Negative predictive value of presence of HPVG in 3 or more segments is interesting. Predicting prognosis with CT can help surgeons to assess the most adequate treatment. Iatrogenic causes are increasingly described after interventional radiology procedures with favorable course.ConclusionThe first etiology radiologists should look for in front of HPVG involving more than 3 hepatic segments and associated with PI is intestinal necrosis which announces a poor prognosis. This study shows that outside of shock situations, HPVG involving 2 or less hepatic segments without PI predicts a good outcome.     

Computed tomography in evaluation of patients with stage III melanoma

Background: Metastatic disease is detected infrequently by computed tomography (CT) in early stage melanoma. The diagnostic yield of routine CT for stage III melanoma is less established, despite extensive use in clinical practice. Methods: Charts from 347 asymptomatic patients with stage III melanoma were reviewed. Findings suggestive of metastatic melanoma identified by head or body CT, chest radiography, bone scan, or liver function studies were confirmed histologically or by progression of disease. Results: Individual CT scans identified 33/788 (4.2%) instances of metastatic melanoma, with 66/788 (8.4%) false positive studies. No metastases were identified among 104 head CT scans. Chest CT had the highest yield in patients with cervical adenopathy (7/35, 20%), and the lowest yield with groin adenopathy (1/50, 2%). Pelvic CT diagnosed metastases in 7/94 (7.4%) patients with groin adenopathy, but no patients with palpable axillary (n=76) or cervical (n=21) nodes. Metastatic melanoma was diagnosed in 11/136 (8.1%) patients having complete body CT imaging (chest, abdomen, and pelvis), including six patients (4.4%) identified by CT alone. Conclusions: Routine CT in patients with clinical stage III melanoma infrequently identifies metastatic disease. Head CT in the asymptomatic patient, chest CT in patients with groin adenopathy, and pelvic CT in the presence of axillary or cervical adenopathy are not indicated. Selective use of chest CT in patients with cervical adenopathy or pelvic CT in the presence of groin disease may be useful. Presented at the 49th Annual Cancer Symposium of The Society of Surgical Oncology, Atlanta, Georgia, March 21–24, 1996.     

Computed tomography volumetric analysis for predicting postoperative lung function for segmentectomy

Open in a separate window OBJECTIVESWe compared the computed tomographic (CT) volumetric analysis and anatomical segment counting (ASC) for predicting postoperative forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV₁) and diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (D_LCO) in patients who had segmentectomy for early-stage lung cancer.METHODSA total of 175 patients who had segmentectomy for lung cancer and had postoperative pulmonary function test were included. CT volumetric analysis was performed by software, which could measure total lung and target segment volume from CT images. ASC and CT volumetric analysis were used to determine predicted postoperative (PPO) values and the concordance and difference of these values were assessed. The relationship between PPO values and actual postoperative values was also investigated.RESULTSThe PPO-FEV₁ and PPO-D_LCO showed high concordance between 2 methods (concordance correlation coefficient = 0.96 for PPO-FEV₁ and 0.95 for PPO-D_LCO). There was no significant difference between PPO values as determined by 2 methods (P = 0.53 for PPO-FEV₁, P = 0.25 for PPO-D_LCO) and actual postoperative values [P = 0.77 (ASC versus actual) and P = 0.20 (CT versus actual) for FEV₁; P = 0.41 (ASC versus actual) and P = 0.80 (CT versus actual) for D_LCO]. We subdivided the patients according to poor pulmonary function test, the number of resected segments and the location of the resected lobe. All subgroup analyses revealed no significant difference between PPO values and actual postoperative values.CONCLUSIONSBoth CT volumetric analysis and ASC showed high predictability for actual postoperative FEV₁ and D_LCO in segmentectomy.     

黄色肉芽肿性胆囊炎的CT检查表现

Xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis (XGC) is benign and chronic, which is rarely seen in clinical practice.The clinical and imaging presentation of XGC is similar to that of chronic cholecystitis, cholecystolithiasis and gallbladder cancer.Summarizing the computed tomography (CT) presentations of XGC is helpful in improving the diagnostic accuracy. According to the result of a retrospective analysis based on the clinical data of 17 patients with XGC, we concluded that rim enhancement sign and hypodense band sign in the arterial phase of contrast enhanced CT, and clear in interface between liver and gallbladder and trimness of internal wall in gallbladder are the CT characteristics of XGC.     

Computed tomography in penetrating cranial injury by a wooden foreign body

We present a case in which the skull and brain were pierced by a piece of wood, the low attenuation value of which, in a CT scan, simulated an intracerebral pneumatocoele. The risk of misinterpreting the CT appearance of intracranial wood is discussed, and the importance of thorough exploration of a penetrating cranial injury is stressed.     

Body computed tomography in critically ill patients

The aim of the study was to assess the effectiveness of computed tomography in the management of critically ill patients. We performed a prospective study over a 4-month period. The requesting clinician was asked to document their clinical diagnosis and confidence thereof on a visual analogue scale. They were also asked about their management plan if computed tomography had not been available. After imaging, any change in the management plan was assessed. During the study period, 16 computed tomograms were performed on 14 patients. There were 21 possible clinical diagnoses: of these eight were confirmed, and 13 were refuted. Seven new diagnoses were established. Computed tomography did not help in the management of two patients and it led to more confusion in the management of one patient. The management of seven patients was altered after computed tomography and in six the management depended solely on computed tomography findings.     

The benefit of routine thoracic, abdominal, and pelvic computed tomography to evaluate trauma patients with closed head injuries

BACKGROUND: The evaluation of multitrauma patients for blunt truncal injuries remains open for debate. We sought to evaluate the role of routine computed tomography (CT) of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis as a screening tool for patients already undergoing cranial CT studies. METHODS: Charts of blunt trauma patients admitted from June 2000 to June 2001 were reviewed for demographics, Glascow Coma Scale (GCS), physical and radiological findings, and length of stay. RESULTS: Our study found that 38% of patients undergoing cranial CT scanning had a unexpected finding on body scans. Changes were made in 26% of the study group because results found on the adjuvant CTs. CONCLUSIONS: Additional body CTs add minimal cost to the care of trauma patients but can significantly change the management. We believe it is beneficial to perform routine body CT examinations when performing cranial imaging for blunt head injury.     

Cerebral vasoreactivity and the prediction of outcome in severe traumatic brain lesions

Mean hemispheric blood flow (CBF) was studied in 38 comatose, severely brain-injured patients following intravenous administration of xenon-133. Repeated measurements were performed in order to evaluate cerebral vasoreactivity following a decrease in PaCO2. Simultaneously, arterial-venous oxygen differences (AVDO2) and intracranial pressure (ICP) were measured. An impaired CBF response to hyperventilation (delta CBF/delta PaCO2 less than 1.0) was obtained in 22 patients. Three of 16 patients with preserved CO2-reactivity died because of their brain injuries and 12 patients reached good recovery/moderate disability. In the group of patients with impaired vasoreactivity 11 of 22 patients died and only three patients reached good recovery/moderate disability. The study documents that in patients with severe traumatic brain lesions measurements of cerebral vasoreactivity to hyperventilation give prognostic information that is not obtained by clinical observations or CT-scanning.     

Alteration in brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) plasma concentration following severe traumatic brain injury

Summary Background. Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) is a potent natriuretic and vasodilator factor which, by its systemic effects, can decrease cerebral blood flow (CBF). In aneurysmal subarchnoid hemorrhage (aSAH), BNP plasma concentrations were found to be associated with hyponatremia and were progressively elevated in patients who eventually developed delayed ischemic deficit secondary to vasospasm. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate trends in BNP plasma concentrations during the acute phase following severe (traumatic brain injury) TBI. Methods. BNP plasma concentration was evaluated in 30 patients with severe isolated head injury (GCS < 8 on admission) in four time periods after the injury (period 1: days 1–2; period 2: days 4–5; period 3: days 7–8; period 4: days 10–11). All patients were monitored for ICP during the first week after the injury. Findings. The initial BNP plasma concentrations (42 ± 36.9 pg/ml) were 7.3 fold (p < 0.01) higher in TBI patients as compared to the control group (5.78 ± 1.90 pg/ml). BNP plasma concentrations were progressively elevated through days 7–8 after the injury in patients with diffused SAH as compared to patients with mild or no SAH (p < 0.001) and in patients with elevated ICP as compared to patients without elevated ICP (p < 0.001). Furthermore, trends in BNP plasma concentrations were significantly and positively associated with poor outcome. Interpretation. BNP plasma concentrations are elevated shortly after head injury and are continuously elevated during the acute phase in patients with more extensive SAH and in those with elevated ICP, and correlate with poor outcomes. Further studies should be undertaken to evaluate the role of BNP in TBI pathophysiology.     

Accuracy of computed tomography in predicting appendiceal perforation

Background

Some surgeons use nonoperative management with or without interval appendectomy for patients who present with perforated appendicitis. These strategies depend on accurately delineating perforation by computed tomography (CT). Since 2005, our institution has used an evidence-based definition for perforation as a hole in the appendix or fecalith in the abdomen. This has been shown to clearly separate those with a high risk of abscess from those without. To quantify the ability of CT to identify which patients would meet these criteria for perforation, we tested 6 surgeons and 2 radiologists who evaluated blinded CT scans.

Methods

A junior and senior surgical residents, 2 staff interventional radiologists, and 4 attending pediatric surgeons with 3 to 30 years of experience reviewed 200 CT scans of pediatric patients who had undergone a laparoscopic appendectomy. All CT scans were reviewed electronically, and the reviewers were blinded to the results, outcome, and intraoperative findings. None of the patients had a well-formed abscess on CT. The reviewers were asked to decide only on perforated or nonperforated appendicitis according to our intraoperative definition. Clinical admission data were reviewed and compared between groups.

Results

In total, the reviewers were correct 72% of the time with an overall sensitivity of 62% and a specificity of 81%. The overall positive predictive value was 67%, and the negative predictive value was 77%.

Conclusions

This study shows that in the absence of a well-formed abscess, the triage of patient care based on a preoperative diagnosis of perforation from CT may be imprudent and subject a portion of the population to an unnecessarily prolonged course of care.     

Clinical outcomes in patients on preinjury ibuprofen with traumatic brain injury

Background

The aim of our study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes in patients on preinjury Ibuprofen with traumatic brain injury.

Methods

We performed a 2-year analysis of all patients on prehospital Ibuprofen with traumatic brain injury and intracranial hemorrhage. Patients on preinjury Ibuprofen were matched using propensity score matching to patients not on Ibuprofen in a 1:2 ratio for age, Glasgow Coma Scale, head-abbreviated injury scale, injury severity score, International Normalized Ratio, and neurologic examination. Outcome measures were progression on repeat head computed tomography (RHCT) and neurosurgical intervention.

Results

A total of 195 matched (Ibuprofen 65, no-Ibuprofen 130) patients were included. There was no difference in the progression on RHCT (Ibuprofen 18% vs no-Ibuprofen 24%; P = .50). The neurosurgical intervention rate was 18.9% (n = 37). There was no difference for need for neurosurgical intervention (26% vs 16%; P = .10) between the 2 groups.

Conclusions

In a matched cohort of trauma patients, preinjury Ibuprofen use was not associated with progression of initial intracranial hemorrhage and the need for neurosurgical intervention. Preinjury use of Ibuprofen as an independent variable should not warrant the need for a routine RHCT scan.     

Metabolic failure precedes intracranial pressure rises in traumatic brain injury: a microdialysis study

Summary Background: Cerebral microdialysis (MD) is able to detect markers of tissue damage and cerebral ischaemia and can be used to monitor the biochemical changes subsequent to head injury. In this prospective, observational study we analysed the correlation between microdialysis markers of metabolic impairment and intracranial pressure (ICP) and investigated whether changes in biomarker concentration precede rises in ICP. Methods: MD and ICP monitoring was carried out in twenty-five patients with severe TBI in Neurointensive care. MD samples were analysed hourly for lactate:pyruvate (LP) ratio, glutamate and glycerol. Abnormal values of microdialysis variables in presence of normal ICP were used to calculate the risk of intracranial hypertension developing within the next 3 h. Findings: An LP ratio >25 and glycerol >100 μmol/L, but not glutamate >12 μmol/L, were associated with significantly higher risk of imminent intracranial hypertension (odds ratio: 9.8, CI 5.8–16.1; 2.2, CI 1.6–3.8; 1.7, CI 0.6–3, respectively). An abnormal LP ratio could predict an ICP rise above normal levels in 89% of cases, whereas glycerol and glutamate had a poorer predictive value. Conclusions: Changes in the compound concentrations in microdialysate are a useful tool to describe molecular events triggered by TBI. These changes can occur before the onset of intracranial hypertension, suggesting that biochemical impairment can be present before low cerebral perfusion pressure is detectable. This early warning could be exploited to expand the window for therapeutic intervention. Correspondence: Antonio Belli, FRCS (Gla), FRCS (SN), MD, Division of Clinical Neurosciences, Southampton University Hospital, Tremona Road, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK.