Assessment of Extra Dural Hematoma – Factors affecting morbidity, mortality and outcome

Background: Extradural hematomas occur in approximately 2% of all patients of head injuries and 5- 15% of fatal head injuries. EDH is considered to be one of the most serious conditions of head injury requiring immediate diagnosis and surgical intervention. Aim and Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical presentation of patients with extradural hematoma and to decide upon the mode of management and to study the results of the management and the outcome and the factors affecting morbidity and mortality. Materials and Methods: Patients with EDH admitted in Neurosurgery Department, King George Hospital Andhra Medical College, Visakhapatnam were studied. Study period was one year July 2018 to June 2019. The sample size of the study was 106 patients who fulfill the inclusion and exclusion criteria. All the patients with head injury, diagnosed to have EDH on CT scan were included in the study. The management includes conservative measures and/or surgical intervention. The patients’ outcome was assessed during the hospital stay, at discharge and followed up to 6 months after discharge. The various factors were analyzed which are likely to affect the outcome. Results: Temporo-parietal and temporal region was the most common location of EDH. The most significant factors which influences outcome are - time of surgical intervention, older age group, low GCS and associated injuries on CT scans like contusions and other injuries. The patients were followed after 1, 3 and 6 months. P Prahaladu, M V Vijaya Sekhar, K Satyavara Prasad, Hemal Chheda. Assessment of Extra Dural Hematoma - Factors affecting morbidity, mortality and outcome. IAIM, 2019; 6(9): 102-107. Page 103 Conclusion: From this study, it was observed that neurological status of patient at the time of presentation, time of surgical intervention, associated injuries on CT scan and the volumetric details of EDH are the most important factors in management and outcome of EDH.

Factors affecting outcomes in compound depressed frontal bone fractures: Institutional study

xIntroduction: Compound depressed frontal bone fractures exhibits some peculiarities such as frequent involvement of frontal sinus and olfactory nerve and tract, which lie on the floor of the anterior cranial fossa. The primary aim of our study is analyzing factors influencing the outcomes in compound depressed fractures of frontal bone .This will help in improving outcomes and management of compound depressed frontal bone fracture. Material and methods: Study was conducted at tertiary care institute by collecting data of 40 patients operated surgically from August 2018 to July 2019. The study included patients who were diagnosed with compound depressed frontal bone fracture and underwent surgical management at our institute. Follow-up was performed at least 3 months after the trauma. The variables evaluated were mortality, GOS, occurrence of rhinorrhea, meningitis, late post-traumatic epilepsy and smell disturbances. Results: Most of our patient with GCS 13-15 was discharged with good clinical outcome and no complication on follow-up. Patient with low GCS and delayed presentation are at risk and adds up morbidity and mortality. Conclusion: Early surgical intervention in patients with GCS 13-15 is associated with good outcomes and low complication rate associated with meningitis or CSF leak.

Smart use of smart phones in severe TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) – A miniature Tele therapy.

This is the era of Smart phones. Smart phones have revolutionised all the fields including the field of medicine. Absence of internet coverage in the remote rural areas which was a constraint and limitation for their use has also been overcome by the technological advancements in the yesteryears. Simultaneously the availability of CT and MRI scan has seen the light in the District Headquarters hospitals of North Coastal Andhra Pradesh. In trauma care, the ubiquitous concept of the “golden hour” suggests that the time between the occurrence of an accident and the receipt high quality, appropriate treatment is a critical factor in patient survival. Therefore, saving time from the moment of occurrence all the way through to the moment of appropriate treatment is critical. Introduction of various APPs in Smart phones has made transmission of visual images instant and easy from any remote corner of the world. This advancement in function, applied to the health care sector in India made an enormous difference in providing emergency specialist care services to the remote areas of India.