Clinical Decision on Disorders of Consciousness After Acquired Brain Injury: Stepping Forward / 神经科学通报·英文版

Major advances have been made over the past few decades in identifying and managing disorders of consciousness (DOC) in patients with acquired brain injury (ABI), bringing the transformation from a conceptualized definition to a complex clinical scenario worthy of scientific exploration. Given the continuously-evolving framework of precision medicine that integrates valuable behavioral assessment tools, sophisticated neuroimaging, and electrophysiological techniques, a considerably higher diagnostic accuracy rate of DOC may now be reached. During the treatment of patients with DOC, a variety of intervention methods are available, including amantadine and transcranial direct current stimulation, which have both provided class II evidence, zolpidem, which is also of high quality, and non-invasive stimulation, which appears to be more encouraging than pharmacological therapy. However, heterogeneity is profoundly ingrained in study designs, and only rare schemes have been recommended by authoritative institutions. There is still a lack of an effective clinical protocol for managing patients with DOC following ABI. To advance future clinical studies on DOC, we present a comprehensive review of the progress in clinical identification and management as well as some challenges in the pathophysiology of DOC. We propose a preliminary clinical decision protocol, which could serve as an ideal reference tool for many medical institutions.

Alterações de linguagem em pacientes pós lesão encefálica adquirida na fase aguda / Language changes in patients after brain injury acquired in the acute phase

Caracterizar as alterações de linguagem encontradas em pacientes com lesão encefálica adquirida em fase aguda Métodos: Trata-se de uma pesquisa observacional, descritiva do tipo transversal. A avaliação foi realizada nas enfermarias de um hospital de urgências, com pacientes de idade superior a 18 anos, diagnóstico de lesão encefálica adquirida e tempo de internação de até 60 dias. O protocolo utilizado incluiu avaliação das praxias orais, expressão, compreensão da linguagem oral e leitura. Ao final, foi possível apresentar as hipóteses diagnósticas de afasias fluentes e não fluentes, disartria e sem alteração de linguagem. A análise dos dados foi realizada por meio de estatística descritiva através da distribuição de frequência absoluta e frequência relativa Resultados: A amostra foi composta por 24 pacientes sendo a maioria do gênero masculino, com média de idade de 51 anos. O diagnóstico de maior frequência foi Acidente Vascular Cerebral. Dos pacientes avaliados, 79% tiveram alterações de fala/linguagem. As hipóteses diagnósticas fonoaudiológicas encontradas foram: afasia global, afasia de broca, afasia transcortical mista, afasia de condução, afasia transcortical motora, afasia transcortical sensorial e disartria. Conclusão: A afasia global foi o transtorno de linguagem de maior ocorrência entre os indivíduos, bem como o gênero masculino e o acidente vascular cerebral. A avaliação da linguagem de pacientes com lesões encefálicas adquiridas na fase aguda é pertinente, pois promove o levantamento de alterações desde as perceptíveis até as mais discretas

To characterize the language disorders found in patients with brain injury acquired in the acute phase Methods: This is an observational, descriptive cross-sectional study. The evaluation was carried out in the wards of an emergency hospital, with patients aged over 18 years, diagnosed with acquired brain injury and hospitalization time of up to 60 days. The protocol used included assessment of oral praxis, expression, comprehension of oral language and reading. In the end, it was possible to present the diagnostic hypotheses of fluent and non-fluent aphasias, dysarthria and without language alteration. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics through the distribution of absolute frequency and relative frequency. Results: The sample consisted of 24 patients, most of whom were male, with a mean age of 51 years. The most frequent diagnosis was Cerebral Vascular Accident. Of the evaluated patients, 79% had speech/language disorders. The speech-language diagnostic hypotheses found were: global aphasia, drill aphasia, mixed transcortical aphasia, conduction aphasia, motor transcortical aphasia, sensory transcortical aphasia and dysarthria. Conclusion: Global aphasia was the most frequent language disorder among individuals, as well as males and stroke. The evaluation of the language of patients with brain injuries acquired in the acute phase is relevant, as it promotes the survey of changes from the perceptible to the most discreet

Brief Montreal-Toulouse Language Assessment Battery: adaptation and content validity

Background Evaluating patients in the acute phase of brain damage allows for the early detection of cognitive and linguistic impairments and the implementation of more effective interventions. However, few cross-cultural instruments are available for the bedside assessment of language abilities. The aim of this study was to develop a brief assessment instrument and evaluate its content validity. Methods Stimuli for the new assessment instrument were selected from the M1-Alpha and MTL-BR batteries (Stage 1). Sixty-five images were redesigned and analyzed by non-expert judges (Stage 2). This was followed by the analysis of expert judges (Stage 3), where nine speech pathologists with doctoral training and experience in aphasiology and/or linguistics evaluated the images, words, nonwords, and phrases for inclusion in the instrument. Two pilot studies (Stage 4) were then conducted in order to identify any remaining errors in the instrument and scoring instructions. Results Sixty of the 65 figures examined by the judges achieved inter-rater agreement rates of at least 80%. Modifications were suggested to 22 images, which were therefore reanalyzed by the judges, who reached high levels of inter-rater agreement (AC1 = 0.98 [CI = 0.96-1]). New types of stimuli such as nonwords and irregular words were also inserted in the Brief Battery and favorably evaluated by the expert judges. Optional tasks were also developed for specific diagnostic situations. After the correction of errors detected in Stage 4, the final version of the instrument was obtained. Conclusion This study confirmed the content validity of the Brief MTL-BR Battery. The method used in this investigation was effective and can be used in future studies to develop brief instruments based on preexisting assessment batteries.

Trastornos prolongados de conciencia postinjuria cerebral aguda / Prolonged disorders of consciousness after an acute brain injury

Only a fraction of patients in coma secondary to a primary acute brain injury develop a vegetative state (VS). At least 20% of patients show late transitions to a minimally conscious states (MCS). They are particularly common in young adults with traumatic brain injury. The main problems faced by clinicians are the diagnostic accuracy of VS and MCS as well as the usefulness of sophisticated paraclinical investigations. Specific therapies are of limited effectiveness. This population is vulnerable to misdiagnosis and limited access to medical care and rehabilitation, thus generating ethical problems.

Forensic Analysis of 25 Cases of Diffuse Brain Atrophy after Trauma / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To study the forensic features of diffuse brain atrophy after trauma, the relationship between age and interval time of post-traumatic brain atrophy, and the relationship between the degree of craniocerebral injury and that of brain atrophy.@*METHODS@#The forensic features of 25 cases of diffuse brain atrophy after craniocerebral trauma were retrospectively analyzed from aspects of gender, age, craniocerebral injury characteristics, and imaging characteristics of brain atrophy. Pearson correlation analysis was used for statistical analysis.@*RESULTS@#Diffuse brain atrophy after trauma could occur in any age group, dominated by severe brain injury. The Pearson correlation coefficients （r） between the time interval of brain atrophy and age were 0.442 （ P<0.05）, 0.341 （P>0.05）, and 0.904 （ P<0.05） for the overall cases, the group over age 50, and the group under age 50, respectively. The correlation coefficient between the degree of brain injury and that of brain atrophy was 0.579 （ P<0.05）, and that between severe brain injury and brain atrophy was 0.788 （ P<0.05）.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The more serious the brain injury, the more severe the brain atrophy. Various degrees of diffuse brain atrophy can occur in severe craniocerebral injury, and diffuse brain atrophy is usually mild and moderate after mild and moderate craniocerebral injury. In the practice of forensic clinical identification, a comprehensive analysis should be conducted with the combination of case materials when the identified person has high risk factors leading to brain atrophy （e.g., hypertension, diabetes, etc.）, plus injury and illness relationship analysis if necessary.

Síndrome de hiperatividade simpática paroxística causada por síndrome da embolia gordurosa / Paroxysmal sympathetic hyperactivity syndrome caused by fat embolism syndrome

RESUMO A hiperatividade simpática paroxística representa uma complicação incomum, com potencial risco à vida, de lesões cerebrais graves, mais comumente de origem traumática. Seu diagnóstico clínico se baseia na manifestação recorrente de taquicardia, hipertensão, diaforese, taquipneia e, às vezes, febre, além de posturas distônicas. Os episódios podem ser induzidos por estímulos ou ocorrer de forma espontânea. É comum que ocorra subdiagnóstico desta síndrome, e o retardamento de seu reconhecimento pode aumentar a morbidade e a incapacidade em longo prazo. Evitar os desencadeantes e a farmacoterapia podem ter muito sucesso no controle desta complicação. A síndrome da embolia gordurosa é uma complicação rara, mas grave, das fraturas de ossos longos. Sinais neurológicos, petéquias hemorrágicas e insuficiência respiratória aguda são as características que constituem seu quadro clínico. O termo "embolia gordurosa cerebral" é estabelecido quando predomina o envolvimento neurológico. O diagnóstico é clínico, porém achados específicos de neuroimagem podem confirmá-lo. As manifestações neurológicas incluem diferentes graus de alteração da consciência, défices focais ou convulsões. Seu tratamento é de suporte, porém são possíveis desfechos favoráveis, mesmo nos casos com apresentação grave. Relatamos dois casos de hiperatividade simpática paroxística após embolia gordurosa cerebral, uma associação muito incomum.

ABSTRACT Paroxysmal sympathetic hyperactivity represents an uncommon and potentially life-threatening complication of severe brain injuries, which are most commonly traumatic. This syndrome is a clinical diagnosis based on the recurrent occurrence of tachycardia, hypertension, diaphoresis, tachypnea, and occasionally high fever and dystonic postures. The episodes may be induced by stimulation or may occur spontaneously. Underdiagnosis is common, and delayed recognition may increase morbidity and long-term disability. Trigger avoidance and pharmacological therapy can be very successful in controlling this complication. Fat embolism syndrome is a rare but serious complication of long bone fractures. Neurologic signs, petechial hemorrhages and acute respiratory failure constitute the characteristic presenting triad. The term cerebral fat embolism is used when the neurological involvement predominates. The diagnosis is clinical, but specific neuroimaging findings can be supportive. The neurologic manifestations include different degrees of alteration of consciousness, focal deficits or seizures. Management is supportive, but good outcomes are possible even in cases with very severe presentation. We report two cases of paroxysmal sympathetic hyperactivity after cerebral fat embolism, which is a very uncommon association.

Moderada concordancia espectroscópica e histopatológica en pacientes con lesiones cerebrales no traumáticas, Hospital Escuela Universitario, 2012-2015 / Spectroscopic and histopathologic moderate concordance in patients with non-traumatic brain injuries, Hospital Escuela Universitario, 2012 - 2015

Antecedentes:La comparación entre diagnóstico espectroscópico e histopatológico se fundamenta en variaciones de los metabolitos encontrados en las lesiones cerebrales. En Honduras no se cuenta con datos de correlación diagnostica entre estos métodos. Objetivo: Determinar la concordancia diagnóstica entre espectroscopía por resonancia magnética e histopatología en pacientes con lesiones cerebrales no traumáticas, Sala de Neurocirugía de Adultos, Hospital Escuela Universitario, Tegucigalpa, 2012-2015. Metodología: Estudio de valoración de concordancia entre pruebas diagnósticas en pacientes mayores de 18 años, con lesión cerebral no traumática. Se registró información sociodemográfica, antecedentes, presentación clínica y resultados diagnósticos. Los datos fueron procesados en programa SPSS Statistics versión 22. La concordancia se estableció estimando índice Kappa. Resultados: De 150 casos registrados, se evaluaron 42 pacientes con criterios de inclusión; 57.1% (24) hombres, edad promedio 44.8 años (18­79), 17 (40.5%) procedentes de Francisco Morazán. Al ingreso presentaron hipertensión endocraneana 38.1% (16), hemiparesia 33.3% (14) y parálisis facial periférica 4.8% (2). Los metabolitos Colina y N-Acetil Aspartato presentaron elevación 76.2% (32) y disminución 71.4% (30), respectivamente. Astrocitomas de bajo grado 9 (21.4%) y de alto grado 8 (19.0%) fueron los diagnósticos espectroscópicos más frecuentes. Astrocitomas de bajo grado y de alto grado, 10 (23.8%) cada uno, fueron los diagnósticos histopatológicos más frecuentes. Se estimó Índice diagnósticos espectroscópicos e histopatológicos sugiere que la combinación de ambos mejora la precisión del diagnóstico pero no la diferenciación entre tipos de lesiones...(AU)

Classificação Internacional de funcionalidade, incapacidade e saúde e afasia: um estudo da participação social / International classification of functioning, disability and health, and aphasia: a study of social participation

RESUMO Objetivo Este estudo identifica e analisa o impacto das afasias na participação social e nas atividades cotidianas das pessoas por elas acometidas, bem como visa conhecer as implicações dos fatores ambientais nas limitações e restrições da participação, segundo os critérios estabelecidos pela Classificação Internacional de Funcionalidade, Incapacidade e Saúde. Método São apresentados e discutidos dados de 12 pessoas de ambos os sexos com afasia que participavam de um Grupo Interdisciplinar de Convivência. Os dados foram coletados entre outubro de 2011 e março de 2013 e analisados com base na check list da Classificação Internacional de Funcionalidade, Incapacidade e Saúde. Resultado Todos os sujeitos apresentaram restrições no desempenho e para a participação em suas atividades cotidianas, seja por determinantes biológicos, ambientais ou socioculturais. Conclusão A restrição na participação foi a mais evidente, decorrente mais dos fatores ambientais do que das sequelas advindas das lesões cerebrais.

ABSTRACT Purpose To identify and analyze the impact of aphasia on social participation and daily activities of people affected by this disease, as well as to understand implications of environmental factors on limitations and restrictions of participation according to the criteria established by the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health. Method Data presented and discussed were collected from 12 people of both sexes with aphasia participating in an Interdisciplinary Group for Coexistence. Data were collected between October 2011 and March 2013 and analyzed based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health checklist. Results All subjects had restrictions on performing and participating in their daily activities, either by biological, environmental or socio-cultural factors. Conclusions The restriction in participation was the most evident, mostly due to environmental factors than sequels resulting from the brain injury.

Cardiovascular Effects of Shock and Trauma in Experimental Models. A Review

Abstract Experimental models of human pathology are useful guides to new approaches towards improving clinical and surgical treatments. A systematic search through PubMed using the syntax (shock) AND (trauma) AND (animal model) AND (cardiovascular) AND ("2010/01/01"[PDat]: "2015/12/31"[PDat]) found 88 articles, which were reduced by manual inspection to 43 entries. These were divided into themes and each theme is subsequently narrated and discussed conjointly. Taken together, these articles indicate that valuable information has been developed over the past 5 years concerning endothelial stability, mesenteric lymph, vascular reactivity, traumatic injuries, burn and sepsis. A surviving interest in hypertonic saline resuscitation still exists.

Cross-cultural adaptation of the SCATBI instrument for cognitive-linguistic abilities after traumatic brain injury / Adaptação transcultural do instrumento SCATBI para avaliação cognitiva após traumatismo cranioencefálico

ABSTRACTObjective To perform the cross-cultural adaptation of the “Scales of Cognitive Ability for Traumatic Brain Injury” (SCATBI).Method After the translation and back-translation phases, a multidisciplinary committee judged and elaborated versions in order to maintain its conceptual equivalence, content, comprehensibility and contextual adjustment for Brazilian population. The final version was tested on 55 healthy subjects.Results The individuals’ mean age was 41.75 ± 17.40 years (range = 18-81), 69% were women and they had a mean schooling of 12.96 ± 4.55 years. Higher total scores were positively correlated with years of schooling (p < 0.001) and social-economic status (p = 0.001), while older aged individuals performed worse than younger ones (p = 0.001). Both genders performed similarly on all domains of the instrument, except for “organization” ability, where women performed significantly better than men (p = 0.02).Conclusion The Brazilian version of SCATBI is a useful tool for the diagnosis and monitoring of cognitive impairments after a traumatic brain injury.

RESUMOObjetivo Realizar a adaptação transcultural do questionário “Scales of Cognitive Ability for Traumatic Brain Injury”(SCATBI) para avaliação das habilidades linguístico-cognitivas após traumatismo cranioencefálico (TCE).Método Após as fases de tradução e retrotradução do instrumento, uma equipe multidisciplinar julgou as versões obtidas quanto à manutenção do conceito original, compreensibilidade e clareza para a população brasileira. A versão final foi testada em 55 indivíduos saudáveis.Resultados Os indivíduos possuíam média de idade de 41,75 anos (18-81), escolaridade de 12,96 anos, e 69% eram mulheres. Escores mais altos no SCATBI foram positivamente correlacionados com a escolaridade (p < 0,001) e status sócio-econômico (p = 0,001), enquanto indivíduos mais velhos tiveram pior desempenho (p = 0,001). Na comparação dos gêneros houve diferença estatisticamente significativa apenas no domínio Organização (p = 0,02).Conclusão Por ser uma bateria cognitiva abrangente, que avalia indivíduos em extensa faixa de idade, a versão brasileira do SCATBI é um instrumento sensível para diagnóstico e acompanhamento das alterações cognitivas comumente prejudicadas após um TCE.

Possible roles of COX-1 in learning and memory impairment induced by traumatic brain injury in mice

People who suffer from traumatic brain injury (TBI) often experience cognitive deficits in spatial reference and working memory. The possible roles of cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) in learning and memory impairment in mice with TBI are far from well known. Adult mice subjected to TBI were treated with the COX-1 selective inhibitor SC560. Performance in the open field and on the beam walk was then used to assess motor and behavioral function 1, 3, 7, 14, and 21 days following injury. Acquisition of spatial learning and memory retention was assessed using the Morris water maze on day 15 post-TBI. The expressions of COX-1, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), interleukin (IL)-6, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), platelet-derived growth factor BB (PDGF-BB), synapsin-I, and synaptophysin were detected in TBI mice. Administration of SC560 improved performance of beam walk tasks as well as spatial learning and memory after TBI. SC560 also reduced expressions of inflammatory markers IL-6 and PGE2, and reversed the expressions of COX-1, BDNF, PDGF-BB, synapsin-I, and synaptophysin in TBI mice. The present findings demonstrated that COX-1 might play an important role in cognitive deficits after TBI and that selective COX-1 inhibition should be further investigated as a potential therapeutic approach for TBI.

The influence of decompressive craniectomy on the development of hydrocephalus: a review / A influência da craniotomia descompressiva no desenvolvimento de hidrocefalia: uma revisão

Decompressive craniectomy (DC) is widely used to treat intracranial hypertension following traumatic brain injury (TBI) or cerebral vascular disease. Many studies have discussed complications of this procedure, and hydrocephalus is a common complication of DC. To further evaluate the relationship between DC and hydrocephalus, a review of the literature was performed. Numerous complications may arise after DC, including contusion or hematoma expansion, epilepsy, herniation of the cortex through a bone defect, CSF leakage through the scalp incision, infection, subdural effusion, hydrocephalus and “syndrome of the trephined”. Several hydrocephalus predictors were identified; these included DC, distance from the midline, hygroma, age, injury severity, subarachnoid or intraventricular hemorrhage, delayed time to craniotomy, repeated operation, and duraplasity. However, results differed among studies. The impact of DC on hydrocephalus remains controversial.

A craniectomia descompressiva (CD) é amplamente utilizada para tratar a hipertensão intracraniana após trauma craniencefálico (TC) ou doença cerebrovascular. Vários estudos discutem as complicações deste procedimento, sendo a hidrocefalia uma das complicações mais frequentes. Fizemos uma revisão da literatura para avaliar a relação entre a CD e a hidrocefalia. Podem ocorrer numerosas complicações após a CD, incluindo aumento de volume por contusão ou hematoma, epilepsia e herniação do cortex cerebral através do acesso ósseo. Fístulas liquóricas através a incisão no couro cabeludo, infecções, hematomas subdurais, hidrocefalia e a “síndrome pós-trepanação”. Foram identificados vários fatores preditivos de hidrocefalia: a distância da CD em relação à linha média, a ocorrência de higroma, a idade, a gravidade da lesão, a hemorragia subaracnóidea ou intraventricular, o tempo decorrido até a craniectomia, as reoperações e o uso de plástica com dura-máter. Entretanto, há divergências entre os autores e o impacto da CD na hidrocefalia continua controvertido.

Personality changes and return to work after severe traumatic brain injury: a prospective study

Objective: To evaluate predictors of non-return to work (nRTW) among social, demographic, clinical, and psychiatric variables after severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) in a cohort of Brazilian patients. Methods: Prospective study. Forty-three community-dwelling individuals treated at a Level I trauma center at the time of TBI were evaluated 18 months after trauma. Measures included DSM-IV-TR criteria for personality changes after TBI and Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders (SCID-I) to assess psychiatric diagnosis. Hospitalization variables included Glasgow Coma Scale scores, pupil examination findings, associated limb trauma, Marshall computed tomography classification, and blood glucose levels. Results: After multiple logistic regression analysis, only the diagnosis of personality changes was found to be independently associated with nRTW, with an adjusted odds ratio of 10.92 (p = 0.02, 95% confidence interval 1.41-84.28). Conclusions: In this study, personality changes were an independent predictor of nRTW after severe TBI. Ways to predict risk factors associated with personality changes after severe brain injury could aid in identification of early and effective interventions that might ease the burden associated with this condition. .

Sepse em pacientes com traumatismo craniencefálico em unidade de terapia intensiva: fatores relacionados à maior mortalidade / Sepsis in intensive care unit patients with traumatic brain injury: factors associated with higher mortality

Objetivo: Pacientes com traumatismo craniencefálico são particularmente suscetíveis a sepse, a qual pode exacerbar a resposta inflamatória sistêmica e levar à disfunção orgânica. Investigou-se a influência de variáveis clínicas sobre a mortalidade de pacientes com traumatismo craniencefálico e sepse em unidade de terapia intensiva. Métodos: Trata-se de estudo retrospectivo envolvendo 175 pacientes com traumatismo craniencefálico atendidos durante 1 ano em um hospital de referência em trauma, que apresentaram sepse, sepse grave ou choque séptico. Foram obtidos dados demográficos e clínicos e foi aferida a pontuação no escore SOFA no momento da identificação da sepse e após 72 horas. Resultados: Observou-se predomínio de homens jovens, com traumatismo craniencefálico grave, múltiplas lesões cranianas, sepse de foco pulmonar, tempo de internação prolongado e alta mortalidade (37,7%). Falência respiratória e circulatória tiveram alta incidência, já falência renal e da coagulação foram menos frequentes e não se registrou falência hepática. Após a regressão logística, a presença de choque séptico e falência respiratória após 72 horas da identificação da sepse foram associados à maior mortalidade, com odds ratio de 7,56 (IC95%=2,04-27,31; p=0,0024) e 6,62 (IC95%=1,93-22,78; p=0,0027), respectivamente. Ainda, houve maior mortalidade nos pacientes que não possuíam falência orgânica em D1, mas que desenvolveram após 72 horas do diagnóstico de sepse e naqueles que já tinham falência orgânica no momento do diagnóstico da sepse e permaneceram assim após 72 horas. Conclusão: Choque séptico e disfunção orgânica ...

Objective: Patients with traumatic brain injury are particularly susceptible to sepsis, which may exacerbate the systemic inflammatory response and lead to organ dysfunction. The influence of clinical variables on the mortality of intensive care unit patients with traumatic brain injury and sepsis was investigated. Methods: The present investigation was a retrospective study involving 175 patients with traumatic brain injury who were treated in a period of 1 year at a reference hospital for trauma and who had sepsis, severe sepsis, or septic shock. Demographic and clinical data were obtained, and the SOFA score was calculated at the time sepsis was found and after 72 hours. Results: There was a predominance of young men with severe traumatic brain injury, multiple head injuries, sepsis with a pulmonary focus, prolonged hospital stay, and high mortality (37.7%). Circulatory and respiratory failure had a high incidence, but renal and coagulation failure were less frequent, and liver failure was not observed. After logistic regression, the presence of septic shock and respiratory failure 72 hours after the sepsis diagnosis was associated with higher mortality, with an odds ratio of 7.56 (95%CI=2.04-27.31, p=0.0024) and 6.62 (95%CI=1.93-22.78, p=0.0027), respectively. In addition, there was a higher mortality among patients who had no organ failure on D1 but who developed the condition after 72 hours of sepsis and in those patients who already had organ failure at the time sepsis was diagnosed and remained in this condition after 72 hours. Conclusion: Septic shock and progressive organ (particularly respiratory) dysfunction increases the mortality of patients with traumatic brain injury and sepsis. .

Usefulness of Permanent Tracheostoma in Chronic Brain Injured Patients: A Case Series

Patients with severe neurological deficit, such as hypoxic ischemic injury, cerebral infarction, and traumatic brain injury, often show comatose mental status and require maintenance of long-term tracheostomy for pulmonary toileting. However, several complications, which are mostly related to the cannula, invariably occur. Permanent tracheostoma is a short, skin-lined, noncollapsing, self-sustaining opening by suturing the denuded skin lining to the margin of the tracheal stoma. This tube-free method is a useful alternative to make long-term airway without tube-related complications in chronic diseases, such as obstructive sleep apnea, and laryngeal cancer, however, it has not yet been reported in chronic brain injured patients. This case report illustrates 3 cases of vegetative patients in our rehabilitation clinic who underwent successful procedure of permanent tracheostoma. Permanent tracheostoma has some benefits associated with the free of tube-related complications, and can be considered as a useful alternative way for chronic brain injured patients with long-term tracheostomy.

Factores asociados a la incapacidad funcional global luego de transcurrido un año después del traumatismo craneoencefálico / Factors associated with overall functional disability one year after traumatic brain injury

Se estimó la prevalencia de los factores asociados con incapacidad funcional a los seis y doce meses en pacientes con traumatismo craneoencefálico (TCE) atendidos en una unidad de referencia en la Región Metropolitana de Salvador, Bahía, Brasil. Se realizó un estudio de cohorte prospectivo con 307 individuos con TCE de 15 a 65 años que tuvieron diagnóstico confirmado por imagen. Con los datos obtenidos durante el período de internación hospitalaria, se contactaron 242 pacientes a los seis meses del traumatismo y 222 a los 12 meses. El compromiso funcional fue evaluado con la escala de Disability Rating Scale. La prevalencia global de incapacidad funcional (60,3% en la primera evaluación y 40,5% en la segunda) estuvo asociada significativamente con la edad, la gravedad inicial del TCE y la duración de la internación en el hospital, con fatiga, afasia, trastornos de la memoria, atención y concentración, alteraciones del equilibrio, paresia y ausencia de consultas con especialistas. La alta frecuencia de incapacidad global a los seis y doce meses de seguimiento, aun en pacientes con traumatismos leves, denota la relevancia del TCE como productor de incapacidades y deficiencias, así como la necesidad de servicios de seguimiento.

The prevalence of factors associated with functional disability was estimated six and twelve months after traumatic brain injury (TBI) in patients initially treated in the emergency unit of reference for the Metropolitan Region of Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. A prospective cohort study was performed, including 307 individuals with TBI between the ages of 15 and 65 years whose diagnosis was confirmed via neuroimaging. Using data from the period of hospitalization, 242 patients were contacted six months after the injury and 222 patients after twelve months. Functional impairment was evaluated with the Disability Rating Scale. The overall prevalence of functional disability (60.3% in the first evaluation and 40.5% in the second) was significantly associated with age, the initial gravity of the TBI and the duration of the patient’s hospitalization, as well as with: fatigue; aphasia; memory, attention and concentration disorders; balance disorders; paresis; and lack of medical consultations with specialists. The high frequency of overall functional disability in the six or twelve-month follow-up period, even for patients with mild traumas, shows the relevance of TBI as a cause of disability and impairment, as well as the need for follow-up services.

Enfoque práctico para el diagnóstico y tratamiento de los estados poliúricos en pacientes con injuria cerebral aguda / Diagnosis and therapy of polyuric states in patients with acute cerebral injury

In patients with acute cerebral injury, polyuric states can potentially trigger, maintain and aggravate the primary neurological damage, due to hypovolemia, arterial hypotension and alterations of osmolarity. The true incidence of the condition in this population is unknown. A widely validated definition of polyuric state is lacking and its etiology is multifactorial. There are two principal classes of polyuria: a) aqueous polyuria with diabetes insipidus as the main cause; and b) osmotic polyuria in which sodium, glucose or ureaplay the main role. Polyuric states are in close association with disorders of water and sodium metabolism and with alterations in acid-base balance. A detailed analysis of the history, clinical picture and simple laboratory determinations in blood and urine, are required for an adequate assessment of these polyuric states. The problem must be faced with pathophysiological reasoning and a systematic and sequential approach, because each disorder needs a specific therapy.

Depression status of the family member and its influencing factors in the patient with mental disorder caused by cerebral trauma: 245 cases analysis / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To determine the family member's depression status and its influencing factors in the patient with mental disorder caused by cerebral trauma.@*METHODS@#The self-designed information questionnaire and self-rating depression scale (SDS) were used to investigate 245 family members' depression conditions. On the basis of SDS score index, all cases were divided into depression group and non-depression group. The data were analyzed by the univariate analysis and multiple factors regression analysis.@*RESULTS@#In the 245 family members, 117 family members had different degrees of depressive symptoms including 68 with mild depression, 42 with moderate depression, and 7 with severe depression. In the multiple factors regression analysis, genetic relationship, personality characteristics and payment method were the main influencing factors of the depression status.@*CONCLUSION@#Much attention should be paid to the family member's depression condition of the patient with mental disorder caused by cerebral trauma through specific psychological intervention.

Letter to the Editor. Re: Lateralization of Cognitive Functions in Aphasia after Right Brain Damage

No abstract available.