The Usefulness of Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging with Mild Head Injury and the Negative Findings of Brain Computed Tomography

Objective

To investigate the cases of intracranial abnormal brain MRI findings even in the negative brain CT scan after mild head injury.

Methods

During a 2-year period (January 2009-December 2010), we prospectively evaluated both brain CT and brain MRI of 180 patients with mild head injury. Patients were classified into two groups according to presence or absence of abnormal brain MRI finding even in the negative brain CT scan after mild head injury. Two neurosurgeons and one neuroradiologist validated the images from both brain CT scan and brain MRI double blindly.

Results

Intracranial injury with negative brain CT scan after mild head injury occurred in 18 patients (10.0%). Headache (51.7%) without neurologic signs was the most common symptom. Locations of intracranial lesions showing abnormal brain MRI were as follows; temporal base (n=8), frontal pole (n=5), falx cerebri (n=2), basal ganglia (n=1), tentorium (n=1), and sylvian fissure (n=1). Intracranial injury was common in patients with a loss of consciousness, symptom duration >2 weeks, or in cases of patients with linear skull fracture (p=0.00013), and also more frequent in multiple associated injury than simple one (35.7%>8.6%) (p=0.105).

Conclusion

Our investigation showed that patients with mild head injury even in the negative brain CT scan had a few cases of intracranial injury. These findings indicate that even though the brain CT does not show abnormal findings, they should be thoroughly watched in further study including brain MRI in cases of multiple injuries and when their complaints are sustained.     

Indications for brain CT scan in patients with minor head injury

OBJECTIVES: Minor head injury is the most common type of head injury. Despite of high incidence and numerous studies performed, there is much controversy about correct evaluation of these patients. The aim of this study was to find clinical signs and symptoms which help to predict the indications for brain CT scan following minor head injury. METHODS: A series of 682 consecutive patients who had been attended at two university hospitals (Alzahra and Kashani) with minor head injury (GCS=15) were prospectively enrolled in this cohort study. In all cases clinical signs and symptoms were collected and a cranial computerized tomography (CT) scan was obtained. The relationship between the occurrence of clinical findings and appearance of intracranial posttraumatic lesions on cranial CT was analyzed by chi-square tests and statistic logistic regression methods, with 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: Of 682 patients, 46 (6.7%) presented brain injuries on CT scan. All patients with abnormal CT scans had at least one of the following factors (risk factors): posttraumatic amnesia, loss of consciousness, posttraumatic seizure, headache, vomiting, focal neurological deficit, skull fracture, coagulopathy or antecedent of treatment with anticoagulants and patient age older than 60 years. No abnormal CT scans were found among patients without any of those risk factors on admission. Vomiting, skull fracture and age greater than 60 years were risk factors significantly correlated to an abnormal cranial CT after head injury. The presence of several risk factors in a patient increased the probability of posttraumatic lesion on CT scan. CONCLUSION: Some clinical risk factors can be used as a guide to predict the probability of abnormal CT following minor head injury.     

CT scan in minor head injury: a guide for rural doctors

Minor head injury in a developing country like Malaysia is managed by primary care physicians and/or medical assistants in district hospitals. These patients are seen initially in their local hospitals, which have at least an X-ray machine for the purpose of screening. This study aimed to guide these physicians to manage these patients at a primary care level. A cross-sectional study was conducted and the study revealed significant predictors of significant computed tomographic (CT) findings. The presence of a Glasgow coma scale (GCS) score of 14 or 13 was associated with the risk of developing significant CT findings compared to patients with a GCS of 15 (p<0.001). Thirty-seven out of 50 patients with GCS of 14 or 13 developed clinically significant brain injury on CT scan. Similarly, the presence of skull fracture was associated with the risk of developing CT abnormalities (p<0.001). Forty-two out of 51 patients with skull fracture developed clinically significant CT findings. Vomiting was associated with developing CT abnormalities (p=0.017). Twenty-seven out of 40 patients with vomiting showed significant CT findings. Soft tissue injury was also found to be associated with developing CT abnormalities (p=0.007). Therefore, we propose reclassifying minor head injury based on the GCS score. Patients with a GCS score of 15 were classified as having mild head injury, while patients with a GCS score of 13 or 14 were at higher risk of developing brain injury and therefore categorized as high risk mild head injury. This group requires emergency CT scan examination, especially when associated with non-motor vehicle accidents, abnormal central nervous system (CNS) examination, craniofacial injuries or skull fractures. They should be referred to a general surgical unit which can treat head injuries or a neurosurgical tertiary centre.     

儿童外伤性脑梗死的病因分析

目的:分析儿童外伤后发生脑梗死的病因。方法:对外伤后出现偏瘫的150例儿童进行脑CT扫描,其中60例使用超声检查颈动脉。结果:全部CT显示低密度脑梗死病变,70％位于基底节区。51例超声探及颈动脉内膜损伤.彩色多普勒血流显像(CDFl)探测到局部充盈缺损41例。损伤部位在颈总动脉15例、颈内动脉36例,合并血栓形成39例。结论:儿童外伤时容易发生颈部动脉内膜损伤,局部形成血栓,血栓脱落后栓塞颅内动脉造成脑梗死。     

Evaluation of traumatic subarachnoid haemorrhage on computed tomography.

Traumatic subarachnoid haemorrhage (TSAH) is a computed tomography (CT) scan finding frequently found in the acute phase of brain injury. However, the clinical evaluation of TSAH is controversial. The subjects in the present series consisted of 46 patients in whom the initial CT scan within 6 h after injury revealed a high density area in the subarachnoid space. The subjects were divided into three types: type 1 n = 10) had massive haemorrhage in the basal cisterns; type II (n = 9) had localized haemorrhage in the basal cisterns; and type III (n = 27) had localized haemorrhage in the cortical sulci or Sylvian fissure. The clinical and neuroradiological findings as well as the outcome of these three types of TSAH are discussed. The results of our study showed that TSAH observed at an acute stage of head trauma was associated with a great variety of intracranial pathological changes. Type I cases had either good or poor outcome, and diffuse brain injury was predominant in patients with poor outcome. The outcome was generally good in type II and III cases.     

外伤性脑梗死的CT诊断

目的总结外伤性脑梗死的CT特征,探讨其发生机制,揭示其对疾病预后的判定价值。方法回顾性分析40例外伤性脑梗死患者头颅CT表现及相关临床资料。结果轻微外伤引起的脑梗死多发于儿童,好发部位为基底节内囊区,预后较好;重症外伤引起的脑梗死好发于成人,发病部位多见于颅内血肿同侧,且大脑后动脉支配区域最为多见,预后较差。结论CT扫描对外伤性脑梗死的诊断及预后判定有重要价值。     

Management of minor head injury: the value of early computed tomography and serum protein S-100 measurements

Computed tomography (CT) scan was performed within 6 h in 91 patients with minor head injury (MHI). Eight patients (9%) demonstrated intracranial lesions on CT scan (6 brain contusions, 1 brain edema and 1 extradural hematoma). No patient required craniotomy. In patients with normal CT scan, no complications to the head injury were observed. Patients with intracranial lesions were hospitalized significantly longer (mean 9.4 days) than patients without (mean 1.6 days). In a subgroup of 50 patients with normal CT scan, serum S-100 protein was measured on admission. Elevated S-100 levels were seen in 10 of 50 patients (0.5-2.4 mug/L, mean 1.1). These patients were hospitalized significantly longer (mean 3.4 days) compared to patients with normal CT scan and normal S-100 levels (mean 1.1 days). MHI patients with GCS 14-15 without neurological deficits can safely be discharged when CT scan is normal. Serum protein S-100 measurements appear to provide information about diffuse brain injury after MHI.     

The management of immediate post-traumatic seizures in children following minor head injury – time for a multicentre study?

BACKGROUND: Children have a much lower threshold for seizure activity than adults. Consequently, an immediate post-traumatic seizure in a child following a minor head injury does not have the same potentially serious implications as one in an adult. METHODS: The records of children admitted with a post-traumatic fit occurring within 24 h of a minor head injury and with a normal CT scan of the brain on admission were critically reviewed. Those with previous neurological disorders, especially fits (excepting febrile convulsions), or systemic injuries requiring admission to an intensive care unit were excluded. RESULTS: There were 13 children who were not intubated and ventilated, forming the control group, and 13 children who were intubated and ventilated and formed the study group. All the children in both these groups made a good recovery, and none of them had any neurological deficit either at discharge or at follow-up. CONCLUSION: The clinical data suggest that children with immediate post-traumatic seizures following a minor head injury whose CT scan shows no major intracranial abnormalities and who have no prior history of neurological disease are at low risk of developing recurrent seizures or neurological complications and can be safely managed without recourse to intubation and ventilation.     

EEG findings in minor head trauma as a clue for indication to CT scan

In order to investigate the role of EEG in minor head traumata in the pediatric age, EEG and CT scan findings were compared in a series of 103 consecutive cases of children hospitalized within 24 h after head trauma. The EEGs were classified as normal in 50 patients, borderline in 10 patients, and abnormal in 43 patients. CT scan showed contusion in 6 patients and extracerebral hematoma in 4. All cases of abnormal CT scans were reported for patients with frankly abnormal EEG findings. In contrast, no pathological findings were found in CT scans for patients with normal EEG. The data suggest that EEG findings can play a major role in the diagnostic workup of patients with minor head traumata. Specifically, in the case of asymptomatic patients with normal EEG findings, it is likely that the CT scan will also be normal.Presented at the 11th Meeting of the European Society for Paediatric Neurosurgery, Naples 1988     

Intracranial lesions shown by CT scans in 259 cases of first alcohol-related seizures

We obtained CTs in 259 patients with a first alcohol-related convulsion. Each subject had generalized convulsions, recent abstinence from alcohol abuse, and no obvious etiology for seizures other than alcohol withdrawal. Patients with only focal seizures, major head injury, coma, or a severe toxic-metabolic disorder were excluded. We recorded history and signs of minor head injury, presence of headache, level of consciousness, neurologic signs, routine medical examination findings, and subsequent clinical course. Sixteen patients (6.2%) had intracranial lesions on CT. Eight had subdural hematomas or hygromas, two had vascular malformations, two had neurocysticercosis, and one each showed a Berry aneurysm, possible tumor, skull fracture with subarachnoid hemorrhage, and probable cerebral infarction. In ten cases (3.9%), clinical management was altered because of the CT result. History or signs of minor head trauma, headache, level of consciousness, or focal neurologic signs did not significantly correlate with CT abnormality.     

Traumatic subarachnoid haemorrhage: a clinicoradiological and TCD correlation.

Twenty five consecutive patients with CT proven pure traumatic subarachnoid haemorrhage (tSAH) were studied, prospectively over a 6 month period. They constituted 2% of all head injuries. Most of the patients (88%) had a mild or moderate head injury at the time of admission, with a mean glasgow comma scale (GCS) of 10.68. The CT scan findings were divided into 3 grades. Grade 1 - blood in hemispheric region only (n=4), grade 2 - blood in basal region only (n=11), grade 3 - blood in both hemispheric as well as basal region (n=10). Transcranial doppler ultrasound (TCD) velocities were recorded in all patients by insonating the middle cerebral artery, internal carotid artery and anterior cerebral artery on both sides. All patients were also subjected to digital substraction angiography (DSA). All patients with mild head injury had normal TCD velocity (<100 cm/sec), while TCD velocities of more than 150 cm/sec were seen only in one patient with severe head injury. Patients with severe head injury were found to have grade 3 tSAH on CT. No statistically significant correlation was found between the CT grade and TCD velocities. Angiographic vasospasm was found in 2 patients with severe head injury only. 90.2% of patients had good outcome at discharge.     

儿童外伤后脑梗塞32例分析

目的：结合文献分析探讨儿童外伤后脑梗塞的发病机理和治疗效果。方法：总结３２例经ＣＴ证实的儿童外伤后脑梗塞的临床、影像学表现、治疗结果和预后。结果：儿童外伤后脑梗塞多发生于一侧基底节区，临床表现和ＣＴ扫描结果与腔隙性脑梗塞相似，但有明确的外伤史，治疗效果较好，随访６个月９４％痊愈。结论：儿童外伤后脑梗塞的发病机理是由于儿童基底节区供血的大脑前、中动脉的穿支动脉直角从主干分出，细长迂曲，发育不成熟，调节能力差，在外伤产生脑组织相对运动时，出现血管牵拉、变形、移位，造成血管内膜损伤，形成血栓，梗塞。局部缺血水肿的脑组织又加重了血管压迫。     

Hypofibrinogenemia in isolated traumatic brain injury in Indian patients

Coagulation abnormalities are common in patients with head injuries. However, the effect of brain injury on fibrinogen levels has not been well studied prospectively to assess coagulation abnormalities in patients with moderate and severe head injuries and correlate these abnormalities with the neurologic outcome. Consecutive patients with moderate (Glasgow Comma Scale (GCS),9-12) and severe (GCS≤8) head injuries were the subjects of this pilot study, All patients had coagulation parameters, including plasma fibrinogen levels measured. Clinical and computed tomography (CT) scan findings and immediate clinical outcome were analyzed. Of the 100 patients enrolled, only seven (7%) patients had hypofibrinogenemia (fibrinogen ≤200 mg/dL). The head injury was moderate in two patients and severe in five patients. Fibrinogen levels showed a progressively increasing trend in four patients (three with severe head injuries and one with moderate head injury). CT scan revealed subdural hematoma in five patients; extradural hematoma in one; and subarachnoid hemorrhage in another patient. Of the seven patients, two patients died during hospital. Large-scale prospective studies are needed to assess the fibrinogen level in patients with head injury and its impact on outcome.     

CT scan findings in mild head trauma: a series of 2,000 patients

The present study describes the cranial computed tomography (CT) scan findings of 2,000 cases of mild head trauma (HT) in Curitiba, Southern Brazil. The mean age of the entire series was 30.8 +/-19 years. The overall male to female ratio was 2:1. The most common causes of head injury were interpersonal aggression (17.9%), falls (17.4%), automobile accidents (16.2%), falls to the ground (13.1%) and pedestrian injuries (13 %). Alcohol intoxication was associated with HT in 158 cases (7.9%). A normal CT scan was seen in 60.75% (1215) and an abnormal CT scan in 39.25% (785) of patients. Out of 785 abnormal CT scan, 518(65.9%) lesions were related to HT. The most common CT scan HT related findings were: soft tissue swelling (8.9 %), skull fractures (4.3 %), intracranial and subgaleal hematomas (3.4% and 2.4 %), brain swelling (2 %) and brain contusion (1.2%). Out of 785 abnormal CT scans, 267 (34.1%) lesions were not related to head trauma. Incidental CT scan findings included brain atrophy (5.9%), one calcification (5.2%) several calcifications (2.4%) (probably neurocysticercosis in most cases), ischemic infarct (1.9%) and leukoaraiosis (1.3%). These findings showed the importance of CT scan examination in mild head injuries. Further studies to identify mild HT patients at higher risk of significant brain injury are warranted in order to optimize its use.     

Delayed rupture of pre-existing cerebral aneurysm in a young patient with minor head trauma.

An intracranial saccular aneurysm is not commonly diagnosed in a patient with head injury. We present a patient with a history of minor head trauma and a CT scan of the brain revealing minimal subarachnoid hemorrhage 17 days prior to admission, complaining of severe headache, dysarthria and focal right limb seizures 3 hours prior to admission. A traumatic aneurysm was suspected based on clinical history and radiological findings including hematoma in the falx region on a CT scan of the brain and an aneurysm of the pericallosal artery on magnetic resonance angiography and four-vessel cerebral angiography. However, at craniotomy, an intracranial non-traumatic saccular aneurysm at the bifurcation of the pericallosal artery was found. The patient recovered fully after successful clipping the aneurysm.     

Dynamic assessment of blood flow in pre-cranial and intracranial arteries in patients with mild head injuries

Mild head injury constitutes about 75% of all head injury cases. The post-concussion syndrome usually following a mild head injury is connected with numerous symptoms and not very severe signs. Research findings indicate that the symptoms related to mild head injuries persist for over 6 months in most patients. Accumulating evidence provided by neuropathological, physiological, psychological and neuroimaging studies pointing to an organic substrate of the postconcussion syndrome invalidates the "Hollywood head injury myth". No information is available on Doppler evaluation in patients with mild head injury. The aim of the study was to evaluate blood flow in selected precranial and intracranial vessels using Doppler ultrasonography in patients at various stages after mild head injuries. The dynamic assessment of blood flow velocity and pulsatility index was carried out in 51 patients on the day of the injury, on the third day, and the sixth day. Moreover, 22 patients were assessed at a follow-up six months to five years the injury. The control group consisted of 61 healthy volunteers. Obtained results show an increase in the blood flow velocity in the middle cerebral artery on the day of the injury and a decrease within the following days in younger patients (aged < 30 yrs). In older persons (aged > 30 yrs) and patients with injuries sustained in a distant past, the indices of blood flow velocity in precranial and intracranial arteries did not significantly differ from these in the control group of comparable age. In our opinion mild head injury affects the blood flow velocity in cerebral arteries. The haemodynamic disturbances noted in younger patients with mild head injuries seem to be connected with changes in the autonomous nervous system activity.     

救护车载移动CT头部扫描在移动医疗中的应用

目的研究野外环境下救护车载16层移动CT头部扫描技术的可行性、安全性及成像质量,建立颅脑伤病移动医疗救治新模式。 方法利用陆军总医院附属八一脑科医院常用救护车,采用特制固定装置将移动CT与车厢底面的钢板链接固定,观察救护车载在高速和乡村公路行驶过程中,移动CT的稳定性及安全性。选取北京市怀柔区杨宋镇社区卫生服务中心于2017年5月22日纳入的35例受检者,在野外环境进行车载移动CT头部扫描检查,记录检查时间、分析成像质量及相关性能指标。 结果救护车在高速公路运行50 km和乡村公路运行7 km,检测CT固定可靠、安全。野外环境下,在救护车上连续进行头部移动CT检查35例,累计耗时141 min,例均耗时4.03 min。CT断层成像清晰,无震动伪影,与临床诊断完全相符合。CT扫描显示脑损伤恢复期3例,基底节区出血后脑软化4例,陈旧性脑梗塞合并脑萎缩28例。检测扫描辐射剂量为40.43 mGy,个人功耗为0.29 kW/h。 结论野外环境下救护车载16层移动CT的固定链接技术可靠,头部扫描断层成像质量良好、性能稳定,扫描时间短,诊断精准、使用便捷,建立了移动医疗新模式。     

Long term outcome in patients with severe head injury and bilateral fixed dilated pupils

Patients with severe head injury with bilateral dilated unreactive pupils are considered to have a grave prognosis. Hence proper planning and aggressive management becomes mandatory for achieving good results. We present the outcome of consecutive 166 patients with severe head injury, admitted between January 1996 and December 2000 and analysed retrospectively. All the patients had an initial GCS of 8 or less and post resuscitation bilateral dilated unreactive pupils. Our aim was to analyze the long term outcome in these patients and identify the other significant prognostic factors. Of the 166 patients, 42 (25.30%) had a functional outcome (good recovery in 10.24%, moderate disability in 15.06%), and 124 (74.69%) had a poor outcome (death in 58.43% and severe disability in 16.26% of cases). There were 45 patients with polytrauma and 24 of these patients (53.33%) succumbed to the injuries. Obliteration of the basal cisterns and contusion were the common CT scan findings. Factors adversely affecting the survival included age of the patient, polytrauma with shock, initial GCS of 3 or 4, and compression of the basal cisterns on the initial CT scans. At follow up, most of the patients with a functional outcome showed a significant improvement in their motor function but continued to have neuro-behavioral and cognitive deficits.     

(In)appropriate neurosurgical consultation

Objectives

Whether or not a patient could benefit from a computed tomography (CT) scan and/or the evaluation by a neurosurgeon requires judgment by a clinician of the risk of clinical deterioration. To assess this clinical process we aimed to determine how many of the consultations to the Neurosurgical department (NSG) of UC Davis are appropriately indicated for neurosurgical input or management. Secondly, we investigated how CT is used in the University of California Davis Medical Center (UCDMC) in NSG consults of head injured patients compared to a validated and highly sensitive decision making tool, the Canadian CT Head Rule (CCHR).

Patients and methods

Patients were enrolled in this prospective study if they presented to a department of UCDMC other than neurosurgery and when, consequently, the NSG was consulted. The emergency consultations were categorized into three groups: head injury, spine injury and others. Subsequently, the appropriateness of the consultations was evaluated based on the need for evaluation determined by the likelihood of clinically important intracranial lesions for head injury and by the likelihood of clinically important spinal cord injury or spinal cord instability for spine injury. Of the head injured patients with a CT scan the appropriateness of the scan was determined by way of the CCHR.

Results

Between 21 July and 15 August 2008 99 consultations were included: 32 patients with head injuries, 29 with spine injuries, 34 with other diseases and 4 not sufficiently documented patients. 23 classified inappropriate, 69 appropriate and 7 remained unclassified. Of the head injured patients, 10 (31.2%) had gotten a CT scan that was classified inappropriate.

Conclusion

NSG receives 3–4 requests for consultations per day from the other services of UCDMC, of which one is of questionable validity and one of the three CT scans for head injury is not necessary. These results suggest the use of the CCHR in UCDMC would improve patient care and could result in large health-care savings, while there would also be less radiation exposure.     

Subtle computed tomography abnormalities in cerebral deep sinus thrombosis.

A patient with cerebral deep sinus thrombosis, which was not diagnosed on the first examination, is reported. A 46-year-old woman presented with headache and vomiting. Neurological examination and a brain computed tomography (CT) scan showed no obvious abnormal findings. The patient suffered disturbed consciousness on the day after the examination, and was admitted to our emergency centre. A CT scan and magnetic resonance imaging revealed an ischaemic lesion in the left basal ganglia, suggesting deep sinus occlusion. Anticoagulant therapy was administered. One day after admission, a CT scan showed a haematoma and severe brain swelling in the same region. Cerebral angiography demonstrated a straight sinus occlusion. Intracranial pressure was not controlled with hypothermia, and the patient died 25 days after admission. Review of the initial CT scan revealed subtle, early findings of deep venous thrombosis that were missed on first examination.