Clinical Study of Mannitol and Steroid Effect on Head Injured Patients

ABSTRACT

Although various studies of effectiveness of mannitol and steroid for the brain swelling have been reported, there are still few reports on cerebral trauma. This study is based on electrolyte change after the infusion of hypertonic mannitol and steroid, and basedon evaluation of Prognostic effect followed mannitolization. Author studied 36 operative cases of brain stem dysfunction group, 70 operative cases of semicomatous group of cerebral traumas, who were admitted at Woo Suk Hospital, Korea University Medial College from Jan. 1968 to Sept. 1971. Author measured degree or reduction of C.S.F. pressure continuously under adequate mannitolization and checked electrolytes preoperatively and after mannitolization and C.B.C., Urinalysis, daily Urine out put and Urine S.G. were also checked. The results was summarized as follows. 1) The reduction of C.S.F. pressure started approximately one, one and half hours after mannitolization. 2) Better prognosis was obtained, in preoperative administration of mannitol and steroid infused case. a) loser mortality, b) rapid metal recovery, c) prolonged survival. 3) In electrolyte changes; No remarkable dilutional hyponatremia was seen.