Ultrasonographic Evaluation of the Optic Nerve Sheath in the Diagnosis of Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension

Intracranial hypertension (ICH) is a life-threatening condition that can be observed in several diseases. Its clinical presentation is variable, with headache, nausea, vomiting, visual disturbances, papilledema, and alterations in the level of consciousness. The gold standard for the diagnosis of ICHis still the intracranial implantation of invasive devices. Non-invasive techniques, such as ultrasonography of the optic nerve sheath (USONS), have emerged in recent years with promising clinical results. The authors report the case of a patient with progressive headache associated with visual impairment and papilledema, and the eventual diagnosis of idiopathic intracranial hypertension using USONS.

Hemotransfusion and mechanical ventilation time are associated with intra-hospital mortality in patients with traumatic brain injury admitted to intensive care unit / Hemotransfusão e tempo de ventilação mecânica estão associados à mortalidade intra-hospitalar em pacientes com lesão cerebral traumática, internados em unidade de terapia intensiva

ABSTRACT Objective To identify the factors associated with the intra-hospital mortality in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) admitted to intensive care unit (ICU). Methods The sample included patients with TBI admitted to the ICU consecutively in a period of one year. It was defined as variables the epidemiological characteristics, factors associated with trauma and variables arising from clinical management in the ICU. Results The sample included 87 TBI patients with a mean age of 28.93 ± 12.72 years, predominantly male (88.5%). The intra-hospital mortality rate was of 33.33%. The initial univariate analysis showed a significant correlation of intra-hospital death and the following variables: the reported use of alcohol (p = 0.016), hemotransfusion during hospitalization (p = 0.036), and mechanical ventilation time (p = 0.002). Conclusion After multivariate analysis, the factors associated with intra-hospital mortality in TBI patients admitted to the intensive care unit were the administration of hemocomponents and mechanical ventilation time.

RESUMO Objetivo Identificar os fatores associados à mortalidade intra-hospitalar em pacientes com TCE internados em unidade de terapia intensiva (UTI). Métodos A amostra incluiu pacientes com TCE internados na UTI em um período de um ano. Foi definido como variáveis as características epidemiológicas, os fatores associados ao trauma e variáveis decorrentes dos cuidados clínicos na UTI. Resultados A amostra incluiu 87 pacientes com TCE, com idade média de 28,93 ± 12,72 anos, predominantemente do sexo masculino (88,5%). A taxa de mortalidade intra-hospitalar foi de 33,33%. A análise univariada inicial mostrou uma correlação significativa de morte intra-hospitalar e as seguintes variáveis: relato de uso de álcool (p = 0,016), hemotransfusão durante a internação (p = 0,036) e tempo de ventilação mecânica (p = 0,002). Conclusão Após análise multivariada, os fatores associados à mortalidade intra-hospitalar em pacientes com TCE internados na unidade de cuidados intensivos foram a administração de hemocomponentes e tempo de ventilação mecânica.