Ecografía de nervio óptico para estimar hipertensión intracraneal en pacientes adultos con neurotrauma

Introducción: El neurotrauma es una condición que puede dar paso a una hipertensión intracraneana, situación que es muy grave. Los métodos diagnósticos de elección son los invasivos, aun así, los no invasivos y entre ellos la ecografía del nervio óptico, ofrecen muchísimas ventajas. Objetivo: Describir elementos esenciales de la ecografía de nervio óptico como método para diagnosticar hipertensión intracraneal en pacientes adultos con neurotrauma. Métodos: Se hizo una revisión de la literatura más reciente sin restricción lingüística o geográfica en las bases de datos PubMed y SciELO, se usaron términos afines al tema del artículo y se realizó una valoración crítica sobre la bibliografía consultada. Resultados: La literatura disponible sobre la ecografía del nervio óptico en la determinación de la hipertensión intracraneal es abundante y la mayoría apunta a sus beneficios como método no invasivo. La principal debilidad del mismo es que no es capaz de dar un valor exacto y esto se debe a que el valor normal del diámetro de la vaina del nervio óptico por cada persona puede variar significativamente. La proporción directa entre el diámetro de la vaina del nervio óptico y la presión intracraneal es un hecho que ningún autor intenta invalidar. Conclusiones: La ecografía del nervio óptico es un método seguro, accesible económicamente, no invasivo, fácil de usar y con un valor predictivo confiable para determinar la hipertensión intracraneal.

Introduction: Neurotrauma is a condition that can lead to intracranial hypertension, which is a very serious situation. The diagnostic methods of choice are the invasive ones, even so, the non-invasive ones offer many advantages, the ultrasound of the optic nerve is among them. Objective: To describe essential elements of optic nerve ultrasound as a method to diagnose intracranial hypertension in adult patients with neurotrauma. Methods: A review of the most recent literature was made without linguistic or geographical restrictions in databases such as PubMed and SciELO, terms related to the theme of the manuscript were used. A critical assessment of the consulted bibliography was made. Results: The available literature on optic nerve ultrasound in the determination of intracranial hypertension is abundant and most points to the benefits as a non-invasive method. However, its main weakness lies in the fact that it is not capable of giving an exact value, due to the fact that the normal value of the diameter of the optic nerve sheath for each person can vary significantly. The direct relationship between optic nerve sheath diameter and intracranial pressure is a fact that no author attempts to invalidate. Conclusions: Optic nerve ultrasound is a safe, affordable, non-invasive, easy-to-use method with a reliable predictive value to determine intracranial hypertension.

Epidemiology and Outcomes of Traumatic Brain Injury in Elderly Population : A Multicenter Analysis Using Korean Neuro-Trauma Data Bank System 2010–2014

OBJECTIVE: Although traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs in people of all age groups, the elderly population is at a particular risk. The proportion of elderly population in the society is markedly increasing and Korea is one of the most rapidly aging societies. Here, we analyzed the data from 904 patients older over 65 years who were registered in the Korean Neuro-Trauma Data Bank System (KNTDBS). METHODS: The Korean Society of Neurotraumatology recorded data from 20 institutions between September 2010 and March 2014. This retrospective study examined the clinical epidemiology, sex difference, outcome epidemiology, sociodemographic variables, and outcomes in the geriatric population related to TBI based on data from the KNTDBS. RESULTS: The study included 540 men and 364 women. The age distributions in the male and female groups were statistically significantly different. The most common cause of trauma was a fall and diagnosis was acute subdural hematoma. The incidence was the highest in men aged 80–84 years and in women aged 75–79 years. The most common time of arrival to hospital after TBI was within 1 hour and 119 rescue team provided first aid earliest to patients with TBI. The mortality rate stratified according to the cause of trauma was significantly different, with mortality rates of 3.77% in fall and 11.65% in traffic accident. The mortality rates according the severity of brain injury, Glasgow Coma Scale score, and treatment were statistically significant. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this study is the first to focus on elderly patients with TBI in Korea and particularly investigate mortality and characteristics related to TBI-related death based on data from the KNTDBS. Although the study has some limitations, our results may be used to obtain useful information to study targeted prevention and more effective treatment options for older TBI patients and establish novel treatment guidelines and health polish for the geriatric population.

Epidemiology and Outcomes of Traumatic Brain Injury in Elderly Population : A Multicenter Analysis Using Korean Neuro-Trauma Data Bank System 2010–2014

OBJECTIVE: Although traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs in people of all age groups, the elderly population is at a particular risk. The proportion of elderly population in the society is markedly increasing and Korea is one of the most rapidly aging societies. Here, we analyzed the data from 904 patients older over 65 years who were registered in the Korean Neuro-Trauma Data Bank System (KNTDBS).METHODS: The Korean Society of Neurotraumatology recorded data from 20 institutions between September 2010 and March 2014. This retrospective study examined the clinical epidemiology, sex difference, outcome epidemiology, sociodemographic variables, and outcomes in the geriatric population related to TBI based on data from the KNTDBS.RESULTS: The study included 540 men and 364 women. The age distributions in the male and female groups were statistically significantly different. The most common cause of trauma was a fall and diagnosis was acute subdural hematoma. The incidence was the highest in men aged 80–84 years and in women aged 75–79 years. The most common time of arrival to hospital after TBI was within 1 hour and 119 rescue team provided first aid earliest to patients with TBI. The mortality rate stratified according to the cause of trauma was significantly different, with mortality rates of 3.77% in fall and 11.65% in traffic accident. The mortality rates according the severity of brain injury, Glasgow Coma Scale score, and treatment were statistically significant.CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this study is the first to focus on elderly patients with TBI in Korea and particularly investigate mortality and characteristics related to TBI-related death based on data from the KNTDBS. Although the study has some limitations, our results may be used to obtain useful information to study targeted prevention and more effective treatment options for older TBI patients and establish novel treatment guidelines and health polish for the geriatric population.

Anticoagulación En Pacientes Con Injuria Traumática Cerebral: Revisión Narrativa / Anticoagulation In Patients With Traumatic Brain Injury: Narrative Review

RESUMEN Los pacientes que reciben anticoagulación y que presentan lesiones traumáticas craneales están en riesgo aumentado de presentar fenómenos hemorrágicos a nivel intracraneal. La mortalidad en esta clase de pacientes es elevada lo que los convierte en una población que amerita un cuidadoso abordaje y seguimiento. Usualmente los pacientes que observamos en servicios de urgencia son traumas craneales leves pero la evolución del paciente anticoagulado en algunos casos es impredecible. Actualmente, han sido publicados diversos estudios con relación a anticoagulación y lesión traumática cerebral. Presentamos una concisa revisión de la literatura enfocada a médicos neurólogos y neurocirujanos.

Abstract Patients receiving anticoagulation and those with traumatic cranial lesions are at increased risk of hemorrhagic phenomena at the intracranial level. Mortality in this class of patients is high, which makes them a population that deserves a careful approach and follow-up. Usually the patients we observe in emergency services are mild cranial traumas but the evolution of the anticoagulated patient in some cases is unpredictable. Currently, several studies have been published in relation to anticoagulation and traumatic brain injury. We present a concise review of the literature focused on neurologists and neurosurgeons.

Fisiopatologia do dano cerebral e traumatismo encéfalo craniano / Fisiopatologia del daño cerebral en el trauma encéfalo-craneano

Resumo O trauma craniocerebral é considerado a causa mais comum de dano cerebral adquirido. É um problema de saúde pública devido à sua grande incidência em todo o mundo, sua alta mortalidade e as sequelas que causa nas funções motoras, endócrinas, cognitivas, ou sensoriais que aparecem imediatamente ou após o dano cerebral causado. Métodos: foram analisados alguns bancos de dados, foram encontrados 33 artigos de revisão sobre a fisiopatologia, chave para definir os dois mecanismos: lesões primárias e secundárias. Estes últimos estão associados ao aparecimento de necrose e apoptose no tecido comprometido e geralmente são induzidos após alterações na homeostase do cálcio, excitotoxi-cidade e neuroinflamação. Posteriormente, a neurodegeneração ocorre, associada a alterações difusas devido a alterações na fisiopatologia. O conhecimento básico dos mecanismos fisiopatológicos que medeiam danos cerebrais no trauma cerebral-cérebro nos permite compreender as diferentes intervenções que são realizadas e melhorar o prognóstico neurológico do paciente.

Resumen El trauma encéfalo-craneano se considera como la causa más común de daño cerebral adquirido. Es un problema de salud pública por su alta incidencia a nivel mundial, su alta mortalidad y las secuelas que ocasiona en las funciones motoras, endocrinas, cognitivas, sensitivas o sensoriales que aparecen inmediatamente o después del daño cerebral ocasionado. Métodos: se revisaron algunas bases de datos encontrándose 33 artículos de revisión sobre la fisiopatología, clave para la definir los dos mecanismos: lesiones primarias y lesiones secundarias. Estas últimas están vinculadas con la aparición de necrosis y apoptosis en el tejido comprometido y generalmente se inducen luego de alteraciones en la homeostasis del calcio, excitotoxicidad y neuroinflamación. Posteriormente, se presenta neurodegeneración, asociada a los cambios difusos por las alteraciones en la fisiopatología. El conocimiento básico de los mecanismos fisiopatoló-gicos que median el daño cerebral en el trauma encéfalo-craneano permite comprender las diferentes intervenciones que se realizan y mejorar el pronóstico neurológico del paciente.

Neurogenic Shock: Clinical Management and Particularities in an Emergency Room

Neurogenic shock has a strong impact in traumatology. It is an important condition, associated with lesions in the neuraxis and can be medullar and/or cerebral. In the last years, its pathophysiology has been better understood, allowing a reduction in the morbimortality with more precise and efficacious interventions taking place in the emergency room. In this review article, the author presents the current aspects of the management of neurogenic shock, highlighting the neuroprotective measures that improve the outcome. Many pharmacologic interventions are still questionable and need more prospective studies to accurately assess their real value. The best moment for neurosurgical intervention is also debatable. Quite clearly, the initial proceedings in the emergency room are fundamental to guarantee the adequate conditions for neuroplasticity and neuronal rehabilitation.

Encefalopatía Traumática Crónica: Revisión De La Literatura / Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy: Review Of Literature

Resumen La exposición repetitiva a traumas craneales es una de las características de la encefalopatía traumática crónica. Neuropatológicamente en esta patología encontramos depósitos de proteína hiperfosforilada tau (p-tau). Inicialmente fue descrita como demencia pugilística, pero se ha asociado a otros tipos de deportes, traumas por explosión entre otros. Los síntomas de esta enfermedad incluyen pérdida de memoria, alteración cognitiva, cambios de ánimo y demencia. Presentamos una revisión de la literatura sobre esta interesante enfermedad.

Abstract Repetitive exposure to cranial trauma is one of the hallmarks of chronic traumatic encephalopathy. Neuropathologically, hyperphosphorylated protein tau (p-tau) deposits are found. Initially it was described as pugilistic dementia, but it has been associated with other types of sports, explosive traumas among others. Symptoms of this disease include memory loss, cognitive impairment, mood swings and dementia. We present a review of the literature on this interesting disease.

Una revisión sistemática del monitoreo de la presión intracraneana en adultos con trauma craneoencefálico severo / A systematic review of intracranial pressure monitoring in adults with severe traumatic brain injury

Objetivos: Revisar sistemáticamente la evidencia relacionada con el monitoreo de la presion intracraneana en unidades de cuidado neurocrítico en el contexto de trauma craneoencefálico severo. Criterios de elección: Ensayos clínicos aleatorizados que comparen el uso del monitoreo de la presión intracraneana (PIC) que muestren un estimado de mortalidad/discapacidad a 6 meses, en pacientes mayores de 12 años de edad con trauma craneoencefálico severo (escala de Glasgow menor a 8). Método de búsqueda: En Medline, el Registro Central de Ensayos Controlados (CENTRAL); PubMed, HINARI, EMBASE; Grupo Cochrane de Lesiones y las listas de referencias de artículos. De acuerdo con el Manual Cochrane para meta-análisis y revisión sistemática. Resultados: No hubo diferencias entre el grupo de PIC y el control en el pronóstico de discapacidad (RR [Riesgo Relativo]1.01, 95 por ciento CI 0.87 to 1.18). Sin embargo, el monitoreo de la PIC reduce la estancia en UCI en comparación con otros métodos. La estancia en UCI con tratamiento cerebral específico también se redujo en comparación con grupo control. Conclusiones: En pacientes con trauma craneoencefálico, no hubo diferencia entre el monitoreo de la PIC y el examen clínico sin embargo, para mantener una PIC baja, hubo una sustancial reducción de requerimiento de solución salina hipertónica y un descenso en la hiperventilación trayendo consigo beneficios para pacientes en UCI.

Objectives: To systematically review the evidence of intracranial pressure monitoring in neuro critical care unit in the context of a severe head injury. Study eligibility criteria: Patients were older than 12 years ,had a severe traumatic brain injury (Glasgow coma scale < 8), that compared the use of ICP monitoring with control, that presented an estimate of mortality/ disability prognosis 6 months after injury.only randomized clinical trials. Methods: Searched MEDLINE, the Central Registerof Controlled Trials (CENTRAL); PubMed, HINARI,EMBASE; Cochrane Injuries group and the reference lists of articles. In accordance with the Cochrane handbook for meta-analysis and systematic review. Results: In the ICP and control groups there was no difference in the prognosis of disability (RR [Relative Risk]1.01, 95 percent CI 0.87 to 1.18). However, ICP monitoring reduced the duration of stay in ICU compared to other surveillance methods. The stay in the ICU with specific medical support for brain injury was also reduced compared to the control group. Conclusions: In patients with severe traumatic brain injury, the ICP monitoring was not difference to imaging and clinical examination. However, by keeping the ICP low there was a substantial reduction in the requirement for hypertonic saline and a decrease in hyperventilation providing benefits to thepatient in the ICU.

Application of cell lineage reprogramming for central nervous system injury and repair / 第二军医大学学报

Transplantation of neural stem cells (NSCs) has become an important therapeutic strategy for central nervous system (CNS) injury; however, the potential immune rejection and ethical concerns limit the transplantation-based cell therapy in clinic. Alternatively, induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) may overcome these major hurdles and cast new lights on cell therapy. Recent studies have shown that a variety of somatic cells from mouse or human can be reprogrammed into NSCs or neurons, suggesting that reprogramming of cell fate may represent a promising strategy for CNS repair. Here, we reviewed the current knowledge of cell lineage reprogramming, reprogramming-mediated induction of NSCs or neurons and their application in CNS repair.

Analysis of Mortality and Epidemiology in 2617 Cases of Traumatic Brain Injury : Korean Neuro-Trauma Data Bank System 2010–2014

OBJECTIVE: The aims of the Korean Neuro-Trauma Data Bank System (KNTDBS) are to evaluate and improve treatment outcomes for brain trauma, prevent trauma, and provide data for research. Our purpose was to examine the mortality rates following traumatic brain injury (TBI) in a retrospective study and to investigate the sociodemographic variables, characteristics, and causes of TBI-related death based on data from the KNTDBS. METHODS: From 2010 to 2014, we analyzed the data of 2617 patients registered in the KNTDBS. The demographic characteristics of patients with TBI were investigated. We divided patients into 2 groups, survivors and nonsurvivors, and compared variables between the groups to investigate variables that are related to death after TBI. We also analyzed variables related to the interval between TBI and death, mortality by region, and cause of death in the nonsurvivor group. RESULTS: The frequency of TBI in men was higher than that in women. With increasing age of the patients, the incidence of TBI also increased. Among 2617 patients, 688 patients (26.2%) underwent surgical treatment and 125 patients (4.7%) died. The age distributions of survivors vs. nonsurvivor groups and mortality rates according the severity of the brain injury, surgical treatment, and initial Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores were statistically significantly different. Among 125 hospitalized nonsurvivors, 70 patients (56%) died within 7 days and direct brain damage was the most common cause of death (80.8%). The time interval from TBI to death differed depending on the diagnosis, surgical or nonsurgical treatment, severity of brain injury, initial GCS score, and cause of death, and this difference was statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Using the KNTDBS, we identified epidemiology, mortality, and various factors related to nonsurvival. Building on our study, we should make a conscious effort to increase the survival duration and provide rapid and adequate treatment for TBI patients.

Trauma craneoencefálico severo: atención prehospitalaria, manejo quirúrgico y monitoreo multomodal / Severe cranioencephalic trauma: prehospital care, surgical management and multimodal monitoring

El trauma craneoencefálico severo representa por lo menos la mitad de las muertes relacionadas con trauma, la patofisiología celular y clínica esta extensamente estudiada y documentada, las opciones de monitorización y tratamiento constituyen los paradigmas actualmente para la el progreso en la sobrevida disminuyendo la probabilidad de secuelas, junto con los principios de manejo general que incluyen entre otros el control de la temperatura, tensión arterial, sedación, ventilación, nutrición hacen posible la calidad en la atención de nuestros pacientes.

Severe brain trauma accounts for at least half of the deaths related to trauma, cellular pathophysiology and clinic it is extensively studied and documented , the monitoring and treatment options are currently paradigms for progress in decreasing the likelihood of survival sequels along with general management principles which include among others the temperature control, blood pressure, sedation, ventilation, nutrition enables quality care for our patients.

Craniectomía descompresiva para trauma craneoencefálico severo / Decompressive craniectomy for severe head trauma

La hipertensión intracraneal es la principal causa de mortalidad en los pacientes con lesiones craneales. En la actualidad la lesión traumática cerebral es un problema de salud pública en todo el mundo. La craniectomía descompresiva surge como una estrategia de tratamiento para los pacientes con hipertensión intracraneal refractaria a manejo médico. Este procedimiento requiere una técnica quirúrgica cuidadosa y exquisita, presentamos una revisión actualizada del procedimiento dirigida a los residentes en formación y a los neurocirujanos latinoamericanos.

Intracranial hypertension is the leading cause of mortality in patients with head injuries. Currently, traumatic brain injury is a public health problem worldwide. Decompressive craniectomy emerges as a treatment strategy for patients with intracranial hypertension refractory to medical management. This procedure requires careful surgical technique and exquisite, we present a review of the procedure intended for residents in training and Colombian neurosurgeon.

Craniectomia descompresiva para trauma craneoencefálico severo: aspectos importantes / Decompressive craniectomy for severe cranioencephalic trauma: important issues

La hipertensión intracraneal es la principal causa de mortalidad en los pacientes con lesiones craneales. En la actualidad la lesión traumática cerebral es un problema de salud pública en todo el mundo. La craniectomía descompresiva surge como una estrategia de tratamiento para los pacientes con hipertensión intracraneal refractaria a manejo médico. Este procedimiento requiere una técnica quirúrgica cuidadosa y exquisita, presentamos una revisión actualizada del procedimiento dirigida a los residentes en formación y a los neurocirujanos latinoamericanos.

Intracranial hypertension is the leading cause of mortality in patients with head injuries. Currently, traumatic brain injury is a public health problem worldwide. Decompressive craniectomy emerges as a treatment strategy for patients with intracranial hypertension refractory to medical management. This procedure requires careful surgical technique and exquisite, we present a review of the procedure intended for residents in training and Colombian neurosurgeon

The Effectiveness Evaluation of Helicopter Ambulance Transport among Neurotrauma Patients in Korea

OBJECTIVE: Helicopter ambulance transport (HAT) is a highly resource-intensive facility that is a well-established part of the trauma transport system in many developed countries. Here, we review the benefit of HAT for neurosurgical patients in Korea. METHODS: This retrospective study followed neurotrauma patients who were transferred by HAT to a single emergency trauma center over a period of 2 years. The clinical benefits of HAT were measured according to the necessity of emergency surgical intervention and the differences in the time taken to transport patients by ground ambulance transport (GAT) and HAT. RESULTS: Ninety-nine patients were transferred to a single university hospital using HAT, of whom 32 were taken to the neurosurgery department. Of these 32 patients, 10 (31.3%) needed neurosurgical intervention, 14 (43.8%) needed non-neurosurgical intervention, 3 (9.4%) required both, and 11 (34.4%) did not require any intervention. The transfer time was faster using HAT than the estimated time needed for GAT, although for a relatively close distance (<50 km) without ground obstacles (mountain or sea) HAT did not improve transfer time. The cost comparison showed that HAT was more expensive than GAT (3,292,000 vs. 84,000 KRW, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: In this Korean-based study, we found that HAT has a clinical benefit for neurotrauma cases involving a transfer from a distant site or an isolated area. A more precise triage for using HAT should be considered to prevent overuse of this expensive transport method.

Historical Review of Japan Neurotrauma Data Bank (JNTDB) / 대한신경손상학회지

In Japan prior to 1990s, the national scale of head trauma statistics are only available by the Institute for Traffic Accident Research and Data Analysis. But these have limited data confined to traffic accident trauma by three classification system; death, severe trauma and minor trauma. In the need for easy accessibility of nationwide trauma data, the Japan Neurotrauma Data Bank (JNTDB) Committee was founded within the Japan Society of Neurotraumatology in 1997. The committee carried out the first pilot study involved by 10 medical institutions nationwide to evaluate traumatic brain injury in Japan. In project 1998 of JNTDB, original data sheet with 392 items including etiology of injury, pre-hospital care, initial treatment including neuro-intensive care unit, and surgical treatment, were created. As "Project 1998", the analysis results have been published in Japan Neurosurgical Society journal. The "Project 2004" was a clinical research on severe head injury cases that have been registered from July 2004 to June 2006. In 2005, one week study of the JNTDB was conducted to elucidate the actual status of head injury in Japan. In the history of during 15 years, JNTDB produced many clinical outputs: 10 presentations on neuroscience conferences and 69 review articles on the famous journals. Consideration of history and achievements of JNTDB suggests guidance to further refinement and direction of future development of Korean Neurotrauma Data Bank. Nationwide and international trauma data bank will be very valuable as a study guide or basic data of the project activities in the future.

Animal models for traumatic brain injury and its application in experimental therapeutics / 中国药理学通报

Traumatic brain injury(TBI), also known as intracranial injury or head trauma, specifically refers to the brain tissue damage caused by trauma.Currently the mechanism of TBI and repair therapy after nerve injury become a hotspot in brain research.Duplicating animal models plays a significant role in promoting experimental therapeutics of TBI.This review systematically describes the progress in animal models for TBI including impact brain injury, nonimpact acceleration head injury and blast(explosion)wave-induced neurotrauma, which have been established at home and abroad.Based upon the aforementioned models, some relevant applications in experimental therapeutics are simultaneously enumerated.Hopefully all these information provides scientific guidance for the pharmacodynamic screening of potential neuroprotective drugs.

Evolución de los pacientes con trauma craneoencefalico en el Hospital Universitario del Valle: Seguimiento a 12 meses / Traumatic brain injury patients at Hospital Universitario del Valle: a 12 months study

Introducción: La principal causa de muerte en Colombia son las muertes violentas y de éstas entre 49 por ciento y 70 por ciento corresponden a trauma craneoencefalico. Existen publicaciones en Colombia que indican la epidemiología de esta catastrofe nacional, pero no realizan un seguimiento para conocer el estado neurológico-funcional posterior de estos pacientes. Objetivos: Conocer el estado funcional al a±o en pacientes con trauma craneoencefalico. Métodos: Se realizó seguimiento a una cohorte de personas que ingresaron al Hospital Universitario del Valle, Cali, Colombia, con trauma craneoencefalico entre julio de 2003 y junio de 2004. Ademas de recoger información sociodemogrßfica y clínica, se aplicó la escala Glasgow Outcome Score (GOS) al egreso, al mes y al año de sufrido el trauma. Resultados: Se incluyeron 2,049 pacientes de los cuales 83 por ciento eran hombres. Por escala de Glasgow 53 por ciento con trauma leve, 31 por ciento moderado y 16 por ciento severo. La mortalidad hospitalaria fue de 13 por ciento (10 por ciento en urgencias y según la severidad, 0.3 por ciento, 1.4 por ciento y 8 por ciento, respectivamente). Al año del trauma la mortalidad fue 14 por ciento y el 85 por ciento se encontraba entre un GOS de 4 a 5. Conclusiones: La incidencia de las variables evaluadas en los pacientes con traumatismo craneoencefalico en el presente estudio, son muy semejantes a las series descritas en la literatura mundial. En cuanto al seguimiento a 12 meses el grado de funcionalidad y mortalidad son también semejantes a la de países con alta tecnología y desarrollo.

Introduction: The main cause of death in Colombia is the violence, in which 49 percent to 70 percent correspond to traumatic brain injury (TBI). There are publications in Colombia that expose the epidemiology of this national catastrophe, but there are a few studies that follow the neurological-functional state after the head injury on this patient. Objectives: To know the functional state after one year following a traumatic brain injury on patients. Methods: A cohort of patients that were hospitalized on the Hospital Universitario del Valle, Cali, Colombia, with traumatic brain injury between July 2003 and June of 2004. The Glasgow Outcome Score (GOS) scale was apply when the patient leave the hospital, and at the first and twelve month after the brain injury. Results: 2049 patients were include on the study. 83 percent were men. 53 percent of them were classified as mild TBI, 31 percent moderate and 16 percent severe by the Glasgow Score Scale. The mortality was 13 percent intrahospital (0.3 percent, 1.4 percent y 8 percent of mortality en mild, moderate and severe respectly), and after a year of TBI the mortality was 14 percent, and 85 percent of the patients was on GOS of 4 and 5. Conclusions: The incidences of the variables evaluated on the TBI patients on the present study are similar to the world literature series. After 12 months, the followed up of functional state and the mortality of TBI patients were similar to the data of countries of high technology and developed.

Predicting Prognosis using Neurotrauma Motor Index in Spinal Cord Injury

We present a series of 97 patients with spinal cord injury. Those patients were treated at Soonchunhyan University Chonan Hospital during six-year-period(January 1986-December 1992), and followed up for at least 3 months. They were divide into four groups ; complete-surgical, complete-conservative, partial-surgical, and partial-conservative. Male to female ratio was 3.6:1, and the peak age was the fifth decade. Passenger's traffic accident(46%) was the most common cause of injury and fall/slip(39%) followed next. Level of spinal injury was cervical in 51%, thoracic in 29%, lumbar in 13%, and others in 7%. Type of injury was fracture-dislocation in 31%, dislocation in 19%, compression fracture in 19%, burst fracture in 18%, cord injury without bony lesion in 7%, and others in 7%. Cord injury was complete in 36 patients(37%) and partial in 61 patients(63%). Surgery was performed in 20 patients with complete cord injury and 34 patients with partial injury. Majority of operations were performed for spinal stability, and posterior instrumentation was the most commonly used operative method. The mean neurotrauma motor index on admission was 44.1 in the complete-surgical group, 39.5 in complete-conservative group, 70.1 in partial-surgical group, and 63.2 in partial-conservative group. It improved to 52.5, 50.3, 90.4, 80.3 at 3 months, and 53.4, 51.7, 91.8, 82.0 at final examination(mean follow-up period was 182.2 days), respectively. The mean values of the final index were higher in the surgically treated groups than the conservatively treated groups, but these differences were not statistically significant(student t-test p>0.1) The mean recovery rate was 14.2% in the complete-surgical group, 17.7% in complete-conservative group, 66.1% in partial-surgical group, and 46.1% in partial-conservative group at 3 months. It improved to 16.6%, 19.3%, 70.0%, and 48.7% at final examination, respectively. The mean recovery rates were higher in the partially injured groups than the completely injured groups(student t-test, p<0.01), regardless the methods of treatment. The final neurotrauma motor index was significantly(regression analysis, p<0.01) related to the initial index except the partial-surgical group. Neurotrauma motor index was a useful method for assessing the injury severity, comparing the recovery rate and predicting prognosis.