Clinical Analysis of Closed Head Injury Patients Using Transcranial Doppler Sonography(TCD)

ABSTRACT

We reported our experience of monitoring head-injury patients by means of TCD. The onset, duration, and amplitude of the altered flow velocities were somewhat different from those that are seen with the blood flow velocities after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. Twenty patients suffering closed head injury were studied using TCD recording of the middle cerebral artery. On admission, twenty patients had Glasgow coma score of 10 or less. Serial examinations were began within 24 hours of trauma and continued until the patient was discharged. The increase of blood flow velocity began as early as 24 hours after injury, reached a maximum around Day 7 and lasted until 3 weeks after injury. The technique was simple, non-invasive, and repeatable so that diagnostic assessments can be made and the patient can be followed for therapeutic efficacy.