颅脑损伤患者Rotterdam评分与术后挫伤性脑出血扩大的相关研究

目的探讨重型颅脑损伤患者Rotterdam头颅CT评分与去骨瓣减压术后挫伤性脑出血扩大的关系,明确挫伤性脑出血增加量与预后的关系。方法 212例行单侧去骨瓣减压术的颅脑损伤患者进入研究,记录年龄,GCS评分,瞳孔,实验室检查和最初的、术前最近的、术后首次的头颅CT数据。预后指标:外伤后6个月GOS评分。结果最初头颅CT的Rotterdam评分与去骨瓣减压术后的挫伤性脑出血是否扩大及血肿增加量相关。Rotterdam评分与死亡率和预后相关。去骨瓣减压术后挫伤性脑出血增加量与死亡率和预后相关。结论重型颅脑损伤患者最初的Rotterdam头颅CT评分可以预测去骨瓣减压术后脑挫伤出血扩大的风险,且与预后相关。     

Reversible monoparesis following decompressive hemicraniectomy for traumatic brain injury

OBJECT: The "syndrome of the trephined" is an uncommon and poorly understood disorder of delayed neurological deficit following craniectomy. From the authors' extensive experience with decompressive hemicraniectomy for traumatic brain injury (TBI), they have encountered a number of patients who developed delayed motor deficits, also called "motor trephine syndrome," and reversal of the weakness following cranioplasty repair. The authors set out to study motor function systematically in this patient population to define the incidence, contributing factors, and outcome of patients with motor trephine syndrome. METHODS: The authors evaluated patient demographics, injury characteristics, detailed motor examinations, and CT scans in 38 patients with long-term follow-up after decompressive hemicraniectomy for TBI. RESULTS: Ten patients (26%) experienced delayed contralateral upper-extremity weakness, beginning 4.9 +/- 0.4 months (mean +/- standard error) after decompressive hemicraniectomy. Motor deficits improved markedly within 72 hours of cranioplasty repair, and all patients recovered full motor function. The CT perfusion scans, performed in 2 patients, demonstrated improvements in cerebral blood flow commensurate with resolution of cerebrospinal fluid flow disturbances on CT scanning and return of motor strength. Comparisons between 10 patients with and 20 patients (53%) without delayed motor deficits identified 3 factors--ipsilateral contusions, abnormal cerebrospinal fluid circulation, and longer intervals to cranioplasty repair--to be strongly associated with delayed, reversible monoparesis following decompressive hemicraniectomy. CONCLUSIONS: Delayed, reversible monoparesis, also called motor trephine syndrome, is common following decompressive hemicraniectomy for TBI. The results of this study suggest that close follow-up of motor strength with early cranioplasty repair may prevent delayed motor complications of decompressive hemicraniectomy.     

Decompressive craniectomy for intractable cerebral edema: experience of a single center

Several case reports and small clinical series have reported benefits of decompressive hemicraniectomy in patients with intractable cerebral edema and early clinical herniation. Specific indications and timing for this intervention remain unclear. We present our experience with this procedure in a subset of 18 patients with massive cerebral edema refractory to medical management, treated with decompressive craniectomy over a 3-year period (1997 to 2000). Computerized tomography (CT) scans were independently analyzed by a neuroradiologist blinded to clinical outcome. Eleven male and seven female patients, ages 20 to 69 years (mean +/- SEM, 46 +/- 14 years), underwent hemicraniectomy for the following diagnoses: 12 hemispheric infarcts, 3 traumatic intracerebral hemorrhages/contusions, 2 nontraumatic intraparenchymal hemorrhages (ICH), and 1 subdural empyema. This population included four patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Patients were followed for a mean of 10 months. Clinical factors including age, side of lesion, preoperative herniation signs, and early surgery (<12 or <24 hours) were not significantly associated with mortality or Glasgow outcome score (GOS). Preoperative CT evidence of transtentorial herniation (present in 5/17 patients) was associated with mortality ( = 0.04), while preoperative uncal herniation (8/17 patients) was associated with poor outcome (GOS > 1) ( = 0.01). Favorable outcome (GOS > 3) occurred in six patients, three with spontaneous or traumatic focal hematomas. Of four patients with SAH, one died while the others were severely disabled (GOS 3). Seven of nine patients with malignant MCA infarctions unrelated to SAH had poor outcomes. The overall mortality was 4/18 (22%). Patients with refractory cerebral swelling secondary to focal hematomas may have better outcomes following decompressive craniectomy. Patients with preexisting SAH seem to have poor outcomes, possibly related to other neurologic comorbidities. Hemicraniectomy requires definition of proper timing. Preoperative CT findings, especially transtentorial and uncal herniation may be useful in defining when decompressive surgery should not be performed.     

Outcome following decompressive craniectomy for malignant swelling due to severe head injury

OBJECT: The aim of this study was to assess outcome following decompressive craniectomy for malignant brain swelling due to closed traumatic brain injury (TBI). METHODS: During a 48-month period (March 2000-March 2004), 50 of 967 consecutive patients with closed TBI experienced diffuse brain swelling and underwent decompressive craniectomy, without removal of clots or contusion, to control intracranial pressure (ICP) or to reverse dangerous brain shifts. Diffuse injury was demonstrated in 44 patients, an evacuated mass lesion in four in whom decompressive craniectomy had been performed as a separate procedure, and a nonevacuated mass lesion in two. Decompressive craniectomy was performed urgently in 10 patients before ICP monitoring; in 40 patients the procedure was performed after ICP had become unresponsive to conventional medical management as outlined in the American Association of Neurological Surgeons guidelines. Survivors were followed up for at least 3 months posttreatment to determine their Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) score. Decompressive craniectomy lowered ICP to less than 20 mm Hg in 85% of patients. In the 40 patients who had undergone ICP monitoring before decompression, ICP decreased from a mean of 23.9 to 14.4 mm Hg (p < 0.001). Fourteen of 50 patients died, and 16 either remained in a vegetative state (seven patients) or were severely disabled (nine patients). Twenty patients had a good outcome (GOS Score 4-5). Among 30-day survivors, good outcome occurred in 17, 67, and 67% of patients with postresuscitation Glasgow Coma Scale scores of 3 to 5, 6 to 8, and 9 to 15, respectively (p < 0.05). Outcome was unaffected by abnormal pupillary response to light, timing of decompressive craniectomy, brain shift as demonstrated on computerized tomography scanning, and patient age, possibly because of the small number of patients in each of the subsets. Complications included hydrocephalus (five patients), hemorrhagic swelling ipsilateral to the craniectomy site (eight patients), and subdural hygroma (25 patients). CONCLUSIONS. Decompressive craniectomy was associated with a better-than-expected functional outcome in patients with medically uncontrollable ICP and/or brain herniation, compared with outcomes in other control cohorts reported on in the literature.     

Comparison of the effect of decompressive craniectomy on different neurosurgical diseases

Background  Many previous studies have reported that decompressive craniectomy has improved clinical outcomes in patients with intractable increased intracranial pressure (ICP) caused by various neurosurgical diseases. However there is no report that compares the effectiveness of the procedure in the different conditions. The authors performed decompressive craniectomy following a constant surgical indication and compared the clinical outcomes in different neurosurgical diseases. Materials and methods  Seventy five patients who underwent decompressive craniectomy were analysed retrospectively. There were 28 with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI), 24 cases with massive intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH), and 23 cases with major infarction (MI). The surgical indications were GCS score less than 8 and/or a midline shift more than 6 mm on CT. The clinical outcomes were assessed on the basis of mortality and Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) scores. The changes of ventricular pressure related to the surgical intervention were also compared between the different disease groups. Findings  Clinical outcomes were evaluated 6 months after decompressive craniectomy. The mortality was 21.4% in patients with TBI, 25% in those with ICH and 60.9% in MI. A favourable outcome, i.e. GOS 4–5 (moderate disability or better) was observed in 16 (57.1%) patients with TBI, 12 (50%) with ICH and 7 (30.4%) with MI. The change of ventricular pressure after craniectomy and was 53.2 (reductions of 17.4%) and further reduced by 14.9% (with dural opening) and (24.8%) after returning to its recovery room, regardless of the diseases group. Conclusions  According to the mortality and GOS scores, decompressive craniectomy with dural expansion was found to be more effective in patients with ICH or TBI than in the MI group. However, the ventricular pressure change during the decompressive craniectomy was similar in the different disease groups. The authors thought that decompressive craniectomy should be performed earlier for the major infarction patients.     

Cerebral oxygenation, vascular reactivity, and neurochemistry following decompressive craniectomy for severe traumatic brain injury

OBJECT: This study addresses the changes in brain oxygenation, cerebrovascular reactivity, and cerebral neurochemistry in patients following decompressive craniectomy for the control of elevated intracranial pressure (ICP) after severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). METHODS: Sixteen consecutive patients with isolated TBI and elevated ICP, who were refractory to maximal medical therapy, underwent decompressive craniectomy over a 1-year period. Thirteen patients were male and 3 were female. The mean age of the patients was 38 years and the median Glasgow Coma Scale score on admission was 5. RESULTS Six months following TBI, 11 patients had a poor outcome (Group 1, Glasgow Outcome Scale [GOS] Score 1-3), whereas the remaining 5 patients had a favorable outcome (Group 2, GOS Score 4 or 5). Decompressive craniectomy resulted in a significant reduction (p < 0.001) in the mean ICP and cerebrovascular pressure reactivity index to autoregulatory values (< 0.3) in both groups of patients. There was a significant improvement in brain tissue oxygenation (PbtO(2)) in Group 2 patients from 3 to 17 mm Hg and an 85% reduction in episodes of cerebral ischemia. In addition, the durations of abnormal PbtO(2) and biochemical indices were significantly reduced in Group 2 patients after decompressive craniectomy, but there was no improvement in the biochemical indices in Group 1 patients despite surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Decompressive craniectomy, when used appropriately in protocol-driven intensive care regimens for the treatment of recalcitrant elevated ICP, is associated with a return of abnormal metabolic parameters to normal values in patients with eventually favorable outcomes.     

Outcome prediction within twelve hours after severe traumatic brain injury by quantitative cerebral blood flow

We measured quantitative cortical mantle cerebral blood flow (CBF) by stable xenon computed tomography (CT) within the first 12?h after severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) to determine whether neurologic outcome can be predicted by CBF stratification early after injury. Stable xenon CT was used for quantitative measurement of CBF (mL/100?g/min) in 22 cortical mantle regions stratified as follows: low (0-8), intermediate (9-30), normal (31-70), and hyperemic (>70) in 120 patients suffering severe (Glasgow Coma Scale [GCS] score ≤8) TBI. For each of these CBF strata, percentages of total cortical mantle volume were calculated. Outcomes were assessed by Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) score at discharge (DC), and 1, 3, and 6 months after discharge. Quantitative cortical mantle CBF differentiated GOS 1 and GOS 2 (dead or vegetative state) from GOS 3-5 (severely disabled to good recovery; p<0.001). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis for percent total normal plus hyperemic flow volume (TNHV) predicting GOS 3-5 outcome at 6 months for CBF measured <6 and <12?h after injury showed ROC area under the curve (AUC) cut-scores of 0.92 and 0.77, respectively. In multivariate analysis, percent TNHV is an independent predictor of GOS 3-5, with an odds ratio of 1.460 per 10 percentage point increase, as is initial GCS score (OR=1.090). The binary version of the Marshall CT score was an independent predictor of 6-month outcome, whereas age was not. These results suggest that quantitative cerebral cortical CBF measured within the first 6 and 12?h after TBI predicts 6-month outcome, which may be useful in guiding patient care and identifying patients for randomized clinical trials. A larger multicenter randomized clinical trial is indicated.     

Role of decompressive craniectomy in the management of severe head injury with refractory cerebral edema and intractable intracranial pressure. Our experience with 48 cases

BACKGROUND: The effects of decompressive craniectomy in the treatment of severe head injury remain unclear. Only very few randomized studies relating to this topic exist in the literature, including a very small number of patients with no class I evidence. METHODS: We rretrospectively reviewed a series of 221 patients operated on for a head injury during a 25-month period. Of these, 48 patients underwent a decompressive craniectomy. All data available on patients' Glasgow Coma Scale score, pupil size and reaction, and intracranial pressure were collected and analyzed. The patients' outcome was evaluated by the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) and the results compared with the data available in the Traumatic Coma Data Bank. Furthermore, the results were analyzed in respect of the time of surgical intervention (early or late), age, and the preoperative Glasgow Coma Score. RESULTS: Decompressive craniectomy reduced the midline shift in all patients with monolateral diffuse brain edema and contusions having a median value of 7 mm; in the remaining, it ameliorated the basal cisterns effacement. At a mean follow-up of 14 months, 6 (12.5%) patients died, 7 (15%) were discharged home with a GOS of 5, 18 (40%) showed a favorable outcome after rehabilitation with a GOS of 4 and 5, 6 (12.5%) had a severe disability (GOS 3), 9 (20%) were in a vegetative state (GOS 2), and 2 were lost to follow-up. The younger age, earlier surgery, and higher preoperative Glasgow Coma Scale score were related to better outcome (P < .001, P < .05, and P < .034, respectively). CONCLUSION: Our results seem to support the idea that decompressive craniectomy coupled with neurointensive care may be an effective way to reduce intractable raised intracranial pressure, and probably to improve patients outcome. However, it should be obvious that our results and those available in the literature can not be considered conclusive.     

Time of hypotension and discharge outcome in children with severe traumatic brain injury

We performed a retrospective study at a level I pediatric trauma center of patients admitted between 1998 and 2005 to determine the time after severe pediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI) that hypotension (systolic blood pressure [SBP] of <5th percentile) is most strongly associated with poor outcome. One hundred forty-six patients of <18 years of age with TBI, head Abbreviated Injury Score (AIS) of >or=3, and PICU admission Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of <9 formed the analytic sample. Available SBP readings through the first 72 h after severe TBI were collected. SBP of <5th percentile was defined as hypotension. Discharge Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) score of <4 defined poor outcome. Of 146, 59 (40%) patients had discharge GOS of <4 and 12% died. The adjusted risk of poor outcome associated with hypotension stabilized by 8 h (adjusted risk ratio [RR] 1.7; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.1-2.6) after injury. The risk of poor outcome peaked with hypotension occurring within the first 6 h after injury (RR 2.0, 95% CI 1.3-3.3). Poor discharge GOS was predicted by hypotension occurring during the first 6 h after injury. SBP data beyond the first 6 h did not improve our ability to predict poor discharge GOS. The first 6 h after severe pediatric TBI may represent a critical time period for either predicting or improving outcome.     

Improvement in GOS and GOSE scores 6 and 12 months after severe traumatic brain injury

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: To assess improvements in Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) and GOS extended (GOSE) scores between 6 months and 1 year following severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). METHODS AND PROCEDURES: One studied 214 adult patients with severe TBI with Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) <9 admitted to Intensive Care Unit (ICU). GOS scores were obtained 6 and 12 months after injury in 195 subjects. Patients were predominantly male (84%) and median age was 35 years. MAIN OUTCOMES AND RESULTS: Outcome (GOS and GOSE at 6 months and 1 year) was better in the high GCS score at admission (6-8) group than in the low score group (3-5). The improvement in GOS scores between 6 months and 1 year was greater in the high GCS score at admission group than in the low score group. At 6 months, 75 patients had died and 120 survived. None died between the 6-12-month assessments; at 12 months, 36% had improved GOS score. CONCLUSIONS: GOS scores improved between 6-12 months after severe TBI in 36% of survivors and it is concluded that the expectancy of improvement is incomplete at 6 months. This improvement was greater in patients with better GCS scores (6-8) at admission than in those with worse GCS scores (3-5).     

Bilateral hemicraniectomy in non-penetrating traumatic brain injury

Traumatic brain injury is a heterogeneous entity that encompasses both surgical and non-surgical conditions. Surgery may be indicated with traumatic lesions such as hemorrhage, fractures, or malignant cerebral edema. However, the neurological exam may be clouded by the effects of medications administered in the field, systemic injuries, and inaccuracies in hyperacute prognostication. Typically, neurological injury is considered irreversible if diffuse loss of grey/white matter differentiation or if brainstem hemorrhage (Duret hemorrhage) exists. We aim to characterize a cohort of patients undergoing bilateral hemicraniectomy for severe traumatic brain injury. A retrospective consecutive cohort of adult patients undergoing craniectomy for trauma was established between the dates of January 2008 and November 2011. The primary outcome of the study was in-hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes were ICU length of stay, surgical complications, and Glasgow Outcome Score at most recent follow-up. During the study period, 210 patients undergoing craniectomy for traumatic mass-occupying lesion (epidural hematoma, subdural hematoma, or parenchymal contusion) were analyzed. Of those, 9 met study criteria. In-hospital mortality was 67% (6 of 9 patients). The average ICU length of stay was 12 days. The GOS score was 3 in surviving patients. Bilateral hemicraniectomy is a heroic intervention for patients with severe TBI, but can be a life-saving procedure.     

Predictive value of an early Glasgow Outcome Scale score: 15-month score changes

OBJECT: Does an early Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) assessment provide a reliable indicator of later outcome in a patient with traumatic brain injury (TBI)? The authors examined the utility of the GOS during early treatment as a predictor of outcome score 15 months postinjury by analyzing outcome score change in a group of patients with closed head injuries. METHODS: Glasgow Outcome Scale scores assessed within 3 months of injury (baseline) were compared with scores obtained at 15 months postinjury in 121 patients, primarily young military personnel. Score changes between baseline and 8 months postinjury were also studied in a subgroup of 72 patients. The impact of initial injury severity (determined by the duration of unconsciousness) on score change was also explored. The GOS scores at three time points within the 15-month period-baseline (within 3 months of injury), 8, and 15 months postinjury-were examined to ascertain when the maximal GOS score had been reached. CONCLUSIONS: Baseline GOS score was a reliable predictor of outcome in patients with an initial score of 5 (no disability) or 4 (mild disability), but not in patients with an initial score of 3 (severe disability). Patients who remained unconscious for more than 24 hours did not have significantly lower outcome scores than those who experienced loss of consciousness for less than 24 hours at 15 months postinjury. Interestingly, the duration of unconsciousness did not affect the likelihood of an improved score during the study period in patients with a GOS score of 3 or 4 at baseline. An updated evaluation conducted after the early phases of treatment is needed to provide a realistic prognosis of severe TBI.     

Influence of apoptosis on neurological outcome following traumatic cerebral contusion

OBJECT: Apoptosis has increasingly been implicated in the pathobiology of traumatic brain injury (TBI). The present study was undertaken to confirm the presence of apoptosis in the periischemic zone (PIZ) of traumatic cerebral contusions and to determine the role of apoptosis, if any, in neurological outcome. METHODS: Brain tissue harvested at Wentworth Hospital from the PIZ in 29 patients with traumatic supratentorial contusions was compared with brain tissue resected in patients with epilepsy. Immunohistochemical analyses were performed on the tissues to see if they contained the apoptosis-related proteins p53, bcl-2, bax, and caspase-3. The findings were then correlated to demographic, clinical, surgical, neuroimaging, and outcome data. In the PIZ significant increases of bax (18-fold; p < 0.005) and caspase-3 (20-fold; p < 0.005) were recorded, whereas bcl-2 was upregulated in only 14 patients (48.3%; 2.9-fold increase) compared with control tissue. Patients in the bcl-2-positive group exhibited improved outcomes at the 18-month follow-up examination despite an older mean age and lower mean admission Glasgow Coma Scale score (p < 0.03). Caspase-3 immunostaining was increased in those patients who died (Glasgow Outcome Scale [GOS] Score 1, 12 patients) when compared with those who experienced a good outcome (GOS Score 4 or 5, 17 patients) (p < 0.005). Regression analysis identified bcl-2-negative status (p < 0.04, odds ratio [OR] 5.5; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.1-28.4) and caspase-3-positive status (p < 0.01, OR 1.4, 95% CI 1.1-1.8) as independent predictors of poor outcome. No immunostaining for p53 was recorded in the TBI specimens. CONCLUSIONS: The present findings confirm apoptosis in the PIZ of traumatic cerebral contusions and indicate that this form of cell death can influence neurological outcome following a TBI.     

Magnetic resonance imaging with gadolinium DTPA enhancement in patients with acute head injury

Gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in patients with acute head injury was conducted to study if contrast extravasation was associated with development of hemorrhagic lesions. A series of 60 head-injured patients were admitted to our emergency unit. Computerized tomography (CT) scans and skull x-ray films were taken as rapidly as possible after hospitalization. Injury severity on admission was evaluated using the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score, motor score, and pupillary examination, while overall outcome was assessed with the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) 3 months after injury. Of all patients admitted, MR imaging with gadolinium enhancement was performed in 18 patients who were at high risk of developing hemorrhagic lesion within 6 h after injury. In these patients we investigated whether contrast extravasation was associated with development of hemorrhagic lesions. All 18 patients presented abnormal findings on their admission CT scans. Admission GCS score in those patients who underwent MR imaging with gadolinium enhancement was 13 or more in 12 patients, 9-12 in four patients, and 8 or less in two patients. Fourteen of 18 patients showed contrast extravasation, corresponding with an evolution of lesion size. Nine of 14 patients who demonstrated extravasation of the contrast medium required surgical treatment. The results of the current study suggest that extravasation of contrast medium indicates a continuance of posttraumatic bleeding. Thus, MR imaging with gadolinium enhancement in acutely head-injured patients may constitute a reasonable strategy for predicting the development of hemorrhagic lesions.     

Aspects on decompressive craniectomy in patients with traumatic head injuries

In patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI), intracranial hypertension secondary to cerebral edema is a major problem. A last-tier treatment in these cases is decompressive craniectomy. The aim of the present retrospective investigation was to (1) study the long-time outcome in patients with traumatic head injuries with intracranial hypertension treated with decompressive craniectomy; (2) examine the effects on intracranial pressure (ICP) by the craniectomy; and (3) investigate the possible relationship between the size of the removed bone-flap and the effects on ICP. Among the about 150 patients with severe TBI treated at our neurointensive care unit during 1997-2002, 19 patients were treated with decompressive craniectomy. All patients were young (mean 22 +/- 11 years, range 7-46 years), and 68% were male. The mean ICP was reduced from 29.2 +/- 3.5 before to 11.1 +/- 6.0 mm Hg immediately after the craniectomy; at 24 h after the craniectomy, the mean ICP was 13.9 +/- 9.7 mm Hg. Paired-samples t-test revealed a statistically significant decrease, both when comparing the preoperative values to the values immediately postoperative as well as to the values after 24 h (p < 0.01). A significant correlation between the size of the craniectomy and the decrease in ICP was found using Pearson regression analysis. The outcome of all patients could be assessed. The survival rate was 89%. Two patients died (both day 4 after the trauma); 68% of the patients had a favorable outcome (Glasgow Outcome Scale [GOS] score of 4 or 5); 16% were severely disabled (GOS score of 3); and one patient (5%) was left in a vegetative state.     

Utility of neurosurgical consultation for mild traumatic brain injury

Trauma patients presenting with a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of 14-15 are considered to have mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) with overall good neurologic outcomes. Current practice consists of initial stabilization, followed by a head CT, and neurosurgical consultation. Aside from serial neurologic examinations, patients with a GCS of 15 rarely require neurosurgical intervention. In this study, we examined the added value of neurosurgical consultation in the care of patients after TBI with a GCS of 15. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients presenting after blunt trauma with an abnormal head CT and GCS of 15 between January 2004 and January 2005. Patients with a normal head CT and <48 hours hospital stay were excluded. Data included demographics, mechanisms of injury, Injury Severity Score, the radiologists' dictated interpretations of the head CT, and neurosurgical interventions. Fifty-six patients met the inclusion criteria. The mean age was 41+/-2.3 years, and the mean Injury Severity Scores was 10.2 +/-0.6. Mechanisms of injury included 64 per cent motor vehicle crash, 16 per cent motorcycle crash, 13 per cent fall, and 7 per cent all-terrain vehicle crash. The initial CT scans showed 43 per cent parenchymal contusions, 38 per cent subarachnoid hemorrhage, 14 per cent subdural hematomas, and 5 per cent epidural hematomas. All patients received a routine follow-up head CT, and 16 per cent showed changes (five improved and four were worse compared with initial CT scans). None of these patients received a neurosurgical intervention, and two were transferred to a rehabilitation service. In this era of limited resources, trauma patients who present with a GCS score of 15 after mild TBI can be safely managed without neurosurgical consultation, even in the presence of an abnormal head CT scan.     

Temporal profile of release of neurobiochemical markers of brain damage after traumatic brain injury is associated with intracranial pathology as demonstrated in cranial computerized tomography

This study aimed at the investigation of release patterns of neuron specific enolase (NSE) and protein S-100B after traumatic brain injury (TBI) and their association with intracranial pathologic changes as demonstrated in computerized tomography (CT). We analyzed NSE and S-100B concentrations in serial venous blood samples taken one to three days after TBI in 66 patients by the use of immunoluminometric assays. These markers are considered to be specific neurobiochemical indicators of damage to glial (S-100B) or neuronal (NSE) brain tissue. Standardized neurological examination and plani- and volumetric evaluation of computerized tomography scans were performed in all patients. Patients with medium severe to severe TBI [Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score at the site of accident < or =12] exhibited significantly higher NSE and S-100B concentrations and a significantly longer release compared to patients with minor head injury (GCS: 13-15). Both, patients with and without visible intracerebral pathology in CT scans exhibited elevated concentrations of NSE and S-100B after TBI and a significant decrease in the follow-up blood samples. Release patterns of S-100B and NSE differed in patients with primary cortical contusions, diffuse axonal injury (DAI), and signs of cerebral edema (ICP) without focal mass lesions. All serum concentrations of NSE and S-100B were significantly correlated with the volume of contusions. The data of the present study indicate that the early release patterns of NSE and S-100 may mirror different pathophysiological consequences of traumatic brain injury.     

Progressive brain injury

The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical manifestations and prognostic factors of progressive brain injury following trauma. We reviewed the records of 779 patients with head injury who had an admission Glasgow Coma Scale of 9 or more; 70 (7.0%) developed progressive brain injury as evidenced on serial CT scans. Of these 70 patients, 19 (27.1%) had a subdural hematoma, 19 (27.1%) an epidural hematoma, 16 (22.9%) a cerebral contusion, 13 (18.6%) an intracerebral hematoma, and 3 (4.3%) a diffuse brain swelling. Three months after injury, 36 (51.4%) patients died, 2 (2.9%) were left in a vegetative state and 23 (32.9%) had a favorable outcome. The appearance of progressive brain injury was associated with patient age, admission Glasgow Coma Scale, injury mechanisms, skull fracture and hemorrhagic lesions on the initial CT scan. Patients with the extracerebral lesions deteriorated 4 hours after injury, whereas those with intracerebral lesions deteriorated 8 hours after injury. The outcome based on Glasgow Outcome Scale was significantly associated with age, type of intracranial lesion, Glasgow Coma Scale following deterioration, the mechanism of injury and surgical treatment. It is concluded that early repeated CT scan is indicated in patients with risk factors of developing progressive brain injury.     

急性颅脑损伤后进展性出血性损伤危险因素分析

目的探讨急性颅脑损伤后发生进展性出血性损伤危险因素。方法分析274例你和性颅脑外伤患者临床资料,分为进展组86例和非进展组188例,对照分析两组相关因素。结果两组除首次头颅CT时间外,年龄、性别、GCS评分、瞳孔扩大、平均动脉压、合并颅骨折、合并硬膜外血肿、合并脑挫伤、合并蛛网膜下腔出血、双侧伤、首次CT血肿量、两次CT血肿量差之间差异,均有统计学意义(P均<0.05)。GCS<12分、瞳孔扩大、合并脑挫伤、合并蛛网膜下腔出血及首次CT血肿量>10ml为发生进展性出血性损伤的独立危险因素(P均<0.05)。结论急性颅脑损伤患者及时进行头颅CT检查,对血肿量>10ml,GCS评分1<12分、瞳孔扩大及合并脑挫伤和蛛网膜下腔出血患者,应密切观察病情进展,尽早复查头颅CT以及时发现进展性出血性损伤。     

Apolipoprotein E polymorphism and outcome after closed traumatic brain injury: influence of ethnic and regional differences

OBJECT: The presence of the apolipoprotein E-epsilon4 (APOE-epsilon4) allele is reported to be associated with poor outcome after traumatic brain injury (TBI). This study was performed to determine if the presence of the APOE-epsilon4 allele influenced outcome in a cohort of black patients with TBI who had homogeneous neuropathological findings. METHODS: Venous blood was collected at the time of admission to determine the APOE genotype in black Zulu-speaking patients who presented with traumatic cerebral contusions. The frequency of the APOE-epsilon4 allele's appearance was correlated with outcome at a minimum of 6 months of follow up. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine independent risk factors and to control for confounding factors. In 110 black Zulu-speaking patients with traumatic cerebral contusions, genotypes for APOE were analyzed. Eleven of 45 (24.4%) with the APOE-epsilon4 allele experienced a poor outcome, compared with 10 (15.4%) of 65 without this allele (p = 0.34). Both patients with homozygous APOE-epsilon4 alleles experienced a good outcome (Glasgow Outcome Score 5). Univariate and multivariate analysis revealed no significant relationship in patients with the APOE-epsilon4 allele with regard to age, admission Glasgow Comas Scale score, contusion volume, type of neurosurgical management, and outcome. The risk of a poor outcome was, however, greater in patients with the APOE-epsilon4 allele (relative risk 1.59; 95% confidence interval 0.74-3.42). CONCLUSIONS: The authors recorded no relationship between APOE-epsilon4 allele status and outcome after TBI in black patients. Given the high regional susceptibility to the APOE gene, further studies, possibly even community-based investigations and studies conducted in other geographic areas, are probably warranted.