Optic nerve sheath diameter and eyeball transverse diameter in severe head injury and its correlation with intracranial pressure.

BACKGROUND: Gold standard for determining intracranial pressure (ICP), intraventricular catheter, is invasive with associated risks. Non-invasive investigations like magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasonography have demonstrated correlation between optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) and raised ICP. However, computed tomography (CT) is accessible and less operator-dependent. Literature shows variable results regarding correlations between ICP and ONSD on CT. The study aimed to investigate correlations between raised ICP and ONSD, eyeball transverse diameter (ETD), and ONSD/ETD ratios on CT scan(s) of severe head injuries. METHODS: A retrospective review of a three-year prospectively-maintained database of severe traumatic head injuries in patients who had ICP measurements and CT scans was conducted. Glasgow Coma Score (GCS), ICP, ONSD 3 mm and 9 mm behind the globe, ETD, ONSD/ETD ratios, CT Marshall Grade, and Glasgow Outcome Score (GOS) were recorded. Statistical analysis assessed correlations between ICP and CT measurements. RESULTS: Seventy-four patients were assessed; mortality rate: 36.5 %. Assault (48.6 %) and pedestrian-vehicle collisions (21.6 %) were the most common mechanisms. CT Marshall Grade correlated significantly with 3 mm and 9 mm ONSD, ONSD/ETD ratios, GCS, and GCS motor score, which correlated significantly with GOS. No significant correlation was found between ICP and ONSD, ETD or ONSD/ETD ratios. Marshall Grade was not significantly associated with ICP measurements but correlated with injury severity. CONCLUSIONS: Unlike previous studies, our study not only investigated the correlation between ICP and single variables (ONSD and ETD) but also the ONSD/ETD ratios. No correlations were observed between raised ICP and ONSD, ETD or ONSD/ETD ratio on CT in neurotrauma patients.

Outcomes of Repeat Surgery in Pediatric Severe Traumatic Brain Injury: An Analysis from Approaches and Decisions in Acute Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury Trial.

BACKGROUND: Early operative intervention, craniotomy, and/or craniectomy are occasionally warranted in severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). Persistent increased intracranial pressure or accumulation of intracranial hematoma postsurgery can result in higher mortality and morbidity. There is a gap in information regarding the outcome of repeat surgery (RS) in pediatric patients with severe TBI. METHODS: An observational cohort study titled Approaches and Decisions in Acute Pediatric TBI Trial data was obtained from the Federal Interagency Traumatic Brain Injury Research Informatics System. All pediatric patients who underwent craniotomy or decompressive craniectomy, survived more than 44 hours and were found to have persistent elevated intracranial pressure >20 mmHg for 2 consecutive hours were included in the study. The purpose of the study was to find the outcomes of RS in pediatric severe TBI. Propensity based matching was used to find the outcomes. The primary outcome was 60-day mortality. RESULTS: Out of 1000 total patients enrolled in the Approaches and Decisions in Acute Pediatric Trial, 160 patients qualified for this study. Propensity score matching created 13 pairs of patients. There were no significant differences found between the groups who had RS versus those who did not have repeat surgery on baseline characteristics. There were no significant differences found between the groups regarding 60-day mortality, median hospital days, median intensive care unit days, and 6-month favorable outcome on Glasgow Outcome Scale Extended score. CONCLUSIONS: There was no difference in mortality between patients who underwent a second surgery and patients who did not have to undergo a second surgery.

Traumatic Brain Injury With Concomitant Myocardial Infarction: A Clinical Dilemma.

A 51-year-old male patient was brought to the emergency department (ED) by paramedics after an unwitnessed fall from a height while he was working. He sustained a severe head injury with a low Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS). After securing his airway and stabilizing the patient, a CT scan of the brain was done that revealed bilateral subdural hematomas, and an electrocardiogram (EKG) revealed an ST elevation inferior wall myocardial infarction (MI), which was suggested to be the cause of his fall. With the presence of two concomitant life-threatening medical conditions, it was a predicament which of the two pathologies to target first in treatment. Ultimately, a management plan was decided following a multidisciplinary urgent meeting in the ED, which was attended by all respective teams. Initial conservative management with close neurological and cardiovascular monitoring in the intensive care unit (ICU) was deemed the safest option in this case.

A Clinical Test for a Newly Developed Direct Brain Cooling System for the Injured Brain and Pattern of Cortical Brainwaves in Cooling, Noncooling, and Dead Brain.

To ensure the direct delivery of therapeutic hypothermia at a selected constant temperature to the injured brain, a newly innovated direct brain cooling system was constructed. The practicality, effectiveness, and safety of this system were clinically tested in our initial series of 14 patients with severe head injuries. The patients were randomized into two groups: direct brain cooling at 32°C and the control group. All of them received intracranial pressure (ICP), focal brain oxygenation, brain temperature, and direct cortical brainwave monitoring. The direct brain cooling group did better in the Extended Glasgow Outcome Scale at the time of discharge and at 6 months after trauma. This could be owing to a trend in the monitored parameters; reduction in ICP, increment in cerebral perfusion pressure, optimal brain redox regulation, near-normal brain temperature, and lessening of epileptic-like brainwave activities are likely the reasons for better outcomes in the cooling group. Finally, this study depicts interesting cortical brainwaves during a transition time from being alive to dead. It is believed that the demonstrated cortical brainwaves follow the principles of quantum physics.

Clinical efficacy of gradual decompression in the treatment of severe traumatic brain injury and its effects on the improvement of intracranial pressure / 中国基层医药

Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy of gradual decompression in the treatment of severe traumatic brain injury and its effects on the improvement of intracranial pressure.Methods:The clinical data of 120 patients with severe traumatic brain injury who received treatment in the General Hospital of Taiyuan Iron and Steel (Group) Co., Ltd. from January 2015 to January 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. The included patients were divided into decompressive craniectomy group (control group, n = 64) and gradual decompression group ( n = 56). Intracranial pressure was compared between the two groups at different time points (before surgery, during the surgery, immediately after surgery, 3 and 6 months after surgery). The patient's self-care ability, coma degree, and neurological deficits pre-surgery and 6 months after surgery were evaluated in each group. The incidence of complications throughout the surgery and within 6 months after surgery was calculated to evaluate the quality of life. Results:There was no significant difference in intracranial pressure pre-surgery between the two groups ( P > 0.05). Intracranial pressure in the gradual decompression group was (30.74 ± 2.51) mmHg, (25.11 ± 2.06) mmHg, (21.34 ± 2.01) mmHg, and (16.74 ± 1.54) mmHg respectively during the surgery, immediately after surgery, and 3 and 6 months after surgery, which was significantly lower than that in the control group [(34.31 ± 3.06) mmHg, (30.64 ± 2.57) mmHg, (26.33 ± 2.35) mmHg, (22.64 ± 1.95) mmHg, t = 12.88, 19.03, 12.40, 18.20, all P < 0.001]. There were no significant differences in scores of the Modified Barthel Index (MBI), the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) pre-surgery between the two groups (all P > 0.05). At 6 months after surgery, the MBI and GCS scores increased and the NIHSS score decreased in each group. There were significant differences in the NIHSS, MBI, and GCS scores between the two groups ( t = 7.61, 6.26, 13.07, all P < 0.001). During the surgery and 6 months after surgery, the incidences of cerebral infarction, delayed cerebral hematoma, and acute encephalocele were significantly lower in the gradual decompression group than in the control group ( χ2 = 4.23, 4.35, 4.83, all P < 0.05). The Generic Quality of Life Inventory-74 Questionnaire scores in environment, psychological health, social relationship, and psychological health domains were significantly higher in the gradual decompression group than in the control group ( t = 8.16, 9.80, 8.68, 7.76, all P < 0.001) Conclusion:This study is the first to analyze the feasibility of gradual decompression for the treatment of severe traumatic brain injury in terms of intracranial pressure, quality of life, and short- and medium-term complications. Findings from this study confirm that gradual decompression can effectively lower intracranial pressure of patients with severe traumatic brain injury, improve neurological function, reduce complications, and improve patients' self-care ability and quality of life.

Medición de la vaina del nervio óptico mediante tomografía computarizada como predictor de mortalidad en pacientes con traumatismo craneoencefálico grave al ingreso a la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos / Optic nerve sheath measurement through computerized scan as death predictor in patients with serious cranioencephalic trauma on entry to the Intensive Care Unit / Medição da bainha do nervo óptico por tomografia computadorizada como preditor de mortalidade em pacientes com trauma cranioencefálico grave internados na Unidade de Terapia Intensiva

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Abstract: Introduction: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a medical-surgical condition characterized by brain involvement secondary to a traumatic lesion. Patients with severe TBI are at high risk of mortality and this will depend on different factors such as the presence of intracranial hypertension, age, origin of the injury and score on the Glasgow coma scale. Measurement of the optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) appears to be a good indirect indicator of intercranial hypertension and therefore, a good predictor of mortality. Objective: To determine the most appropriate cut-off point, as well as the measurement of the ONSD usefulness as a prognostic indicator of mortality in patients with severe TBI in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Material and methods: This is an analytical, descriptive, and retrospective study. The universe of study consists of all the case/files with TBI. For the sample selection, all available records of patients with severe TBI sent to the ICU during the period from March 1 to August 31, 2021, will be included. Within the inclusion criteria patients with a Glasgow scale score of < 8 points on entry and with a computerized scan done. The dependent variables to considerer are the outcome understood as death or survival of the patient, the days hospitalized in the ICU, the presence of complications; among the dependent variables is the diameter of the optic nerve sheath measured by computerized tomography. Intervening variables were also considered such as the presence of comorbidities and overweight/obesity, the age and sex of the patient. The project consisted of four phases: 1) request for authorization and access to files, 2) application of selection criteria, 3) performance of ONSD measurements and 4) creation of the database. Finally, once the database is formed, the statistical analysis will proceed; for the descriptive part, prevalence's, means (standard deviation) and medians (percentiles) will be calculated for the variables by sex and by outcome, subsequently the diagnostic capacity of the ONSD will be analyzed through the area under the ROC curve (receiving operating characteristics) for the outcome. Afterwards the performance of this and other cut-off points are compared using the Youden index. Results: Sixty records of TBI patients admitted to the ICU were studied, 51 were men (85%), 45 patients survived (75%) and 15 patients died (25%). The average age was of 50.5 ± 10.6 years, the average Glasgow score on admission was 6.6 ± 1.6 points, the average BMI was 26.42 ± 4.10 kg/m2, and the average number of days spent in the ICU was 9.03 ± 6.4. The diameter of the optic nerve was not a predictor of mortality, but if the Glasgow coma scale was, with an AUC of 0.775 (95% CI: 0.648-0.901, p = 0.002), the best cut-off point was 7 with a sensitivity of 93% and specificity of 54%. The bivariate linear regression model points to low Glasgow coma score and long hospital stay as predictors of mortality. Conclusions: The results of this study infer that, consistent with current scientific evidence, the sociodemographic characteristics of our population are similar to those reported by other authors, with men over 50 years of age being the most affected by this entity. On the other hand, the measurement of the diameter of the optic nerve sheath has been considered a good prognostic indicator of intracranial hypertension, which in turn is associated with increased mortality. However, in the present study there is no association between the diameter of the optic nerve sheath and the prognosis of mortality.

Resumo: Introdução: O traumatismo cranioencefálico (TCE) é uma condição médico-cirúrgica caracterizada por lesão cerebral secundária a uma lesão traumática. Pacientes com TCE grave apresentam alto risco de mortalidade e isso dependerá de diversos fatores, como presença de hipertensão intracraniana, idade, origem da lesão e pontuação na Escala de Coma de Glasgow. A medida do diâmetro da bainha do nervo óptico (DBNO) parece ser um bom indicador indireto de hipertensão intracraniana e, portanto, um bom preditor de mortalidade. Objetivo: Determinar o ponto de corte mais adequado, bem como a utilidade da medida do DBNO como indicador prognóstico de mortalidade em pacientes com TCE grave na Unidade de Terapia Intensiva. Material e métodos: Trata-se de um estudo analítico, descritivo e retrospectivo. O universo de estudo é composto por todos os prontuários de casos/pacientes com TCE grave. Para a seleção da amostra foram incluídos todos os prontuários disponíveis de pacientes com TCE grave encaminhados à Unidade de Terapia Intensiva no período de 1o de março a 31 de agosto de 2021, dentro dos critérios de inclusão foram considerados pacientes com escala de Glasgow < 8 pontos na admissão e com uma tomografia computadorizada realizada. As variáveis ​​dependentes consideradas são o desfecho entendido como óbito ou sobrevida do paciente, os dias de internação na UTI, a presença de complicações; dentro das variáveis ​​independentes está o diâmetro da bainha do nervo óptico medido por tomografia computadorizada. Também foram consideradas variáveis ​​intervenientes, como presença de comorbidades e sobrepeso/obesidade, idade e sexo do paciente. O projeto consistiu em três fases: a) Pedido de autorização e acesso aos prontuários, b) Aplicação dos critérios de seleção, c) Desenvolvimento da base de dados. Por fim, uma vez formada a base de dados, procedeu-se à análise estatística. Para a parte descritiva, foram calculadas as prevalências, médias (desvio padrão) e medianas (percentis) das variáveis ​​por sexo e por desfecho. Posteriormente, a capacidade diagnóstica do DBNO foi analisada pela área sob a curva ROC (Receiving Operating Characteristics) para o resultado. Posteriormente, o desempenho deste e de outros pontos de corte foi comparado pelo índice de Youden. Resultados: Foram estudados 60 prontuários de pacientes com TCE que deram entrada na UTI, 51 eram homens (85%), 45 pacientes sobreviveram (75%) e 15 pacientes morreram (25%). A média de idade foi de 50.5 ± 10.6 anos, a média de Glasgow na admissão foi de 6.6 ± 1.6 pontos, a média de IMC foi de 26.42 ± 4.10 kg/m2 e a média de dias de internação na UTI foi de 9.03 ± 6.4. O diâmetro do nervo óptico não foi preditor de mortalidade, mas a Escala de Coma de Glasgow sim, com AUC de 0.775 (IC 95%: 0.648-0.901, p = 0.002), o melhor ponto de corte foi 7 com sensibilidade de 93% e especificidade de 54%. O modelo de regressão linear bivariada aponta para baixo escore de coma de Glasgow e longa permanência hospitalar como preditores de mortalidade. Conclusões: Os resultados deste estudo inferem que, de acordo com as evidências científicas atuais, as características sociodemográficas de nossa população são semelhantes às relatadas por outros autores, sendo os homens com aproximadamente 50 anos de idade os mais acometidos por essa entidade. Por outro lado, a medida do diâmetro da bainha do nervo óptico tem sido considerada um bom indicador prognóstico de hipertensão intracraniana, que por sua vez está associada ao aumento da mortalidade. No entanto, no presente estudo não há associação entre o diâmetro da bainha do nervo óptico e o prognóstico de mortalidade.

Isolated Traumatic Bitemporal Hemianopia.

Bitemporal hemianopia is a rare presentation following severe head injury, which causes a delay in detection of the visual symptoms. This is a case of traumatic bitemporal hemianopia in a 20-year-old gentleman after an alleged motorbike accident. He was intubated following a severe head injury. The ophthalmologic assessment was performed after he regained consciousness and complained of acute blurring of vision in bilateral eyes. The visual acuity was 2/60 on the right eye and 4/60 on the left eye. Bilateral eyes anterior and posterior segments examination were unremarkable. Confrontation visual field testing discovered bitemporal hemianopia. Plain computed tomography (CT) scan of the brain showed right frontal bone fracture extending to the right orbital roof, superomedial wall of the right orbit, bilateral lamina papyracea, ethmoidal air cells, roof and bilateral walls of sphenoid sinus. He was treated conservatively by the ophthalmology team. Subsequent follow-ups showed improvement of visual acuity which were 6/6 on the right eye and 6/6 on the left eye. Humphrey visual field test confirmed the persistence of bitemporal hemianopia. His good visual acuity does not correlate with the severity of the field defect. Therefore, surveillance for bitemporal scotoma is necessary for all head injuries with severe midline facial bone fractures.

Presión de perfusión cerebral en pacientes pediátricos con traumatismo craneoencefálico grave

RESUMEN Introducción: La mortalidad por traumatismo craneoencefálico grave (TCE g) en el paciente pediátrico, crece de forma directamente proporcional con la severidad de la injuria inicial. Se estima entre el 1 y 7 % de menores de 18 años afectados por dicha enfermedad en el mundo. La incidencia de muerte por esta causa oscila entre 2,8 y 3,75 por cada 100 000 niños anualmente. Metodología: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo de tipo correlacional en el servicio de cuidados intensivos pediátricos del Hospital General Docente "Roberto Rodríguez" de Morón, Ciego de Ávila, Cuba, en el período entre enero de 2003 y diciembre de 2017. Se incluyeron pacientes menores de 18 años. Las intervenciones fueron monitorización continua de la presión intracraneal, a través de una ventriculostomía al exterior y de la presión de perfusión cerebral y las variables presión intracraneal y presión de perfusión cerebral. Resultados: Se estudiaron 41 niños. Predominaron aquellos entre 5 y 17 años con 35 casos (85,3 %). La presión de perfusión cerebral en menores de 1 año fue >47mmhg en los dos casos estudiados, de 1-4 años >47mmhg en 2 casos y de 50mmhg en 23 casos (65,7 %) y 50mmhg se asoció con el grado V de la escala de resultados de Glasgow. Discusión: El control de la presión de perfusión cerebral con valores diferentes ajustados a los diferentes grupos de edades, a través de la manipulación de la presión intracraneal y la presión arterial media en el niño, mostró una adecuada relación con los resultados favorables.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Mortality from severe head injury (TBI g) in pediatric patients increases in direct proportion to the severity of the initial injury. It is estimated between 1 and 7% of children under 18 years of age affected by this disease in the world. The incidence of death from this cause ranges from 2.8 to 3.75 per 100,000 children annually. Methodology: A correlational descriptive study was carried out in the pediatric intensive care service of the General Teaching Hospital "Roberto Rodríguez" in Morón, Ciego de Ávila, Cuba, in the period between January 2003 and December 2017. Minor patients were included of 18 years. The interventions were continuous monitoring of intracranial pressure, through an external ventriculostomy and cerebral perfusion pressure and the variable intracranial pressure and cerebral perfusion pressure. Results: 41 children were studied. Those between 5 and 17 years old predominated with 35 cases (85.3%). Cerebral perfusion pressure in children under 1 year of age was> 47mmhg in the two cases studied, from 1-4 years> 47mmhg in 2 cases and 50mmhg in 23 cases (65.7%) and 50mmhg was associated with grade V on the Glasgow Outcome Scale. Discussion: The control of cerebral perfusion pressure with different values adjusted to the different age groups, through the manipulation of intracranial pressure and mean arterial pressure in the child, showed an adequate relationship with the favorable results.

Clinical observation of individualized nutritional formula on inflammation index, immune status and gastrointestinal tolerance in patients with severe head injury.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the clinical significance of individualized nutritional formulas on inflammatory factors, immune status and gastrointestinal tolerance in patients with severe head injury. METHODS: A total of 80 patients with severe head injury who were hospitalized in Baoding No.1 Central Hospital from March 2017 to March 2020 were randomly divided into two groups with 40 cases in each group. Patients in both groups were given enteral nutrition (EN), the control group was given conventional enteral nutrition formula through nasointestinal tube, and the experimental group was given individualized nutrition formula. All patients were tested for tumor necrosis factor(TNF-α), C-reactive protein(CRP), interleukin 6(IL-6), IgA, IgM, IgG, serum intestinal fatty acid binding protein(I-FABP) and D-lactic acid concentration before and after enteral nutrition treatment. The incidence of adverse reactions such as abdominal distension, diarrhea, constipation, and gastric retention within seven days after treatment of two groups were compared and analyzed. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in inflammatory factors such as TNF-a, CRP, IL-6, immunoglobulin levels, I-FABP and D-lactic acid concentration between the two groups before treatment (p>0.05). After treatment, the above indicators of the two groups of patients were better than before treatment, the difference was statistically significant (p<0.05), and the experimental group was significantly better than the control group (p<0.05). The experimental group had a gastrointestinal adverse reaction rate of 10%, and the control group had 27.5%, the difference was statistically significant (p=0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Individualized nutritional formula has more significant advantages than conventional nutritional formula for patients with severe head injury, which can reduce inflammatory response, increase the patient's immune level, improve the intestinal mucosal barrier function, have good gastrointestinal tolerance, and have a low incidence of adverse reactions.

Effect of nursing mode under the seamless connection between operating room and ward on severe traumatic brain injury patients in coma.

OBJECTIVE: The goal of the present study was to test the effects of the nursing mode under the seamless connection between operating room and ward on severe traumatic brain injury (STBI) patients in coma period. METHODS: Totally, 120 STBI inpatients in coma admitted to our hospital from June 2018 to June 2019 were recruited and equally randomized into a study group and a control group. The control group underwent routine neurosurgery nursing, while the study group received nursing with seamless connection between the operating room and the ward. Clinical effects of the two groups were compared. RESULTS: No significant differences were shown in terms of gender ratio, age, body mass index (BMI), systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, clinical manifestations and residence between the two groups of patients (P > 0.05); the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores of the two groups of patients after nursing were significantly higher than those before nursing (P < 0.001), and the GCS score of patients in the study group after nursing was found to be higher than that in the control group (P < 0.001); no discernable difference in Barthel index between the two groups of patients after one week of nursing was observed (P > 0.05), and the Barthel index of the patients in the study group after 1 month and 2 months of nursing was significantly higher than that of the control group (P < 0.001); neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and myelin basic protein (MBP) in the study group after nursing were significantly lower than those in the control group (P < 0.001); the total clinical effective rate of the study group was found to be significantly higher than that of the control group (P < 0.05); for the recovery time, the study group performed better than the control group (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The nursing with seamless connection between operating room and ward has the potential to improve the degree of coma in STBI patients and their activities of daily living.

[Epidemiological aspects and prognostic factors of severe traumatic brain injuries]. / Aspects épidemiologiques et facteurs pronostiques des traumatisés crâniens graves.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the severity factors in severe traumatic brain injuries. METHODS: A prospective descriptive study of severe head injuries admitted to the emergency department at Ibn Tofail Hospital at the University Hospital of Marrakech over a period of six months from May to October 2015. The following data was collected: circumstances, clinical, biology, radiology, treatment and evolution. RESULTS: One hundred and nineteen patients with severe traumatic brain injury were collected (101 males, 84,9%). The mean age was 37,73±15,7 years. Road accidents were the most common cause representing 84%. The median Glasgow coma scale (GCS) was 7±3. We noted 36 cases (30,3%) of anisocoria, 32 cases (26,9%) of bilateral mydriasis and 72 cases (60,5%) of hypoxia. Cerebral contusions (66,1%) and meningeal hemorrhage (66,6%) were the most frequent lesions on CT. Forty-seven patients (42%) had stage VI Marshall lesions. Twenty-four patients (20.1%) required a neurosurgical intervention, 12 extradural hematoma evacuations and 10 craniocerebral wounds. Mortality was 64.7% (77 deaths), the main cause was neurological (64,9%). In the latter group, we observed more frequently an older age (P=0.00001), a management delay (P=0.011), a low initial GCS (P=0.000001), a bilateral nonreactive mydriasis (P=0.0001), a hypoxia (P=0.0002), a subarachnoid hemorrhage (P=0.008), a high Marshall score (P=0.017) and an anemia (P=0.046). CONCLUSION: Head trauma is a public health problem. The victims are young, and the sequelae are frequently disabling. Several parameters are associated with a poorer prognosis including age, neurological state and the initial delay in management.

The association between dual-task walking and counting responses and cognitive function and disability after severe head injury: A preliminary study.

Adverse outcomes after severe head injury (SHI) can be difficult to detect in primary care and other settings where there is not specialist expertise for interpretation. Walking and counting dual-task (DT) measures are strongly associated with cognitive impairment and dementia and this preliminary study investigates whether performance on DT walking and counting tasks are associated with cognitive function and disability in 125 participants who sustained a SHI on average 26 years before. Single Task (ST) walking (speed over 6 metres) and ST counting (Serial 3s) and DT performance of concurrent walking and Serial 3s were compared with neuropsychological, wellbeing and disability tests for strength of association. The strongest correlations were between ST Correct Cognitive Responses (CCRs) and MMSE (rho = 0.435), DT CCRs and Short-term Memory Binding Tests (STMBT) binding accuracy (rho = 0,409) and DT CCRs and STROOP (rho = 0.420), but associations were less strong with disability. Developing this test, as a cost-efficient screening tool for triage to onward referral for neuropsychological assessment, holds promise, but requires further research.

Surgical outcomes in traumatic brain injuries with bilateral mass occupying lesions. Analysis of prognostic factors.

INTRODUCTION: Traumatic brain injury is a silent epidemic with major impacts on national productivity as it affects the economically productive age group. Bilateral injuries are usually severe with no clearly defined predictors of outcome as per current available literature. METHODS: We retrospectively assessed 102 consecutive cases of post traumatic intracranial mass lesions operated bilaterally, either simultaneously or sequentially, between January 2011 and April 2019. The primary and secondary end points of the study were to assess mortality and GCS at discharge respectively. RESULTS: The cohort included 102 patients. 91(89.2 %) were males, mean age was 40(±13.6) years. Median GCS at presentation was 9 with 47(46.07 %) having moderate head injury. EDH with contusion was seen in 38(37.3 %), SDH with contusion in 24(23.5 %) and 4 patients (3.9 %) had EDH, SDH and contusion. On univariate analysis, female gender(p = 0.001), poor GCS at presentation(p < 0.001), higher Rotterdam grade on initial CT scan(p < 0.001), need for blood transfusions(p = 0.026) and intraoperative hypotension(p = 0.007) were associated with significantly higher mortality. On multivariate analysis female gender(p = 0.034), poor GCS(p = 0.026) and worse Rotterdam score(p = 0.038) were associated with mortality. Among the subgroup of survivors, GCS at presentation(p < 0.001), Rotterdam grading(p = 0.003), time to surgery after trauma(p = 0.032), duration of hospital stay(<0.001), intraoperative brain bulge(p=.003) and craniotomy instead of craniectomy(p = 0.001) were associated with clinical outcome at discharge. CONCLUSION: Traumatic brain injuries with bilateral mass lesions requiring surgery have been rarely reported. In this study we have elucidated management strategies and have further studied the factors influencing mortality and clinical outcome. Careful considerations are required in decision making in such cases. Larger multicentric studies would throw more light on outcomes of this rare variety of traumatic brain injury.

Evaluation of injury thresholds for predicting severe head injuries in vulnerable road users resulting from ground impact via detailed accident reconstructions.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of various head injury criteria and associated risk functions in prediction of vulnerable road users (VRUs) severe head injuries caused by ground impact during vehicle collisions. Ten VRU accidents with video information were reconstructed by using Chalmers Pedestrian Model, vehicle multi-body system models and the THUMS (Ver. 4.0.2) finite element model. The head kinematics were used to calculate injury risks for seven head kinematics-based criteria: head angular velocity and acceleration, linear acceleration, head injury criterion (HIC), head impact power (HIP) and two versions of brain injury criterion (i.e., BRIC and BrIC). In addition, the intracranial responses were used to estimate seven tissue injury criteria, Von Mises stress, shear stress, coup pressure (C.P.) and countercoup pressure (CC.P.), maximum principal strain (MPS), cumulative strain damage measure (CSDM), and dilatation damage measure (DDM). A review of the medical reports for all cases indicated that each individual suffered severe head injuries and died. The injury risks predicted through simulations were compared to the head injuries recorded in the medical or forensic reports. The results indicated that 75-100% of the reconstructed ground impact accidents injuries were correctly predicted by angular acceleration, linear acceleration, HIC, C.P., MPS and CSDM0.15. Shear stress, CC.P. and CSDM0.25 correctly predicted 50-75% of the reconstructed accidents injuries. For angular velocity, HIP, BRIC and BrIC, the injuries were correctly predicted for less than 50% of the reconstructed accidents. The Von Mises stress and DDM did not correctly predict any reconstructed accidents injuries. The results could help to understand the effectiveness of the brain injury criteria for future head injury evaluation.

Access to the Intensive Care Unit by Severe Head Injury Patients.

Background The management of severe traumatic brain injury is directed at avoidance of secondary brain injuries. The intensive care unit (ICU) provides the ideal environment to achieving improved survival and functional outcome. The study sets out to identify the factors that determine the access of patients with severe head injury presenting at our hospital, to the ICU and their impact on outcome. Materials and Methods his was a longitudinal study at the University College Hospital, Ibadan. Data of all consecutive severe head injury patients over a 9-month period, presenting to the accident and emergency department, was collected and analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-squared test. The level of significance was p < 0.05. Result There were 36 males (80.0%) in our study, with road crashes (25; 79.5%) as the most common mechanism of injury. Most patients (33; 73.3%) were transferred to our center after initial care in another hospital. Though 31(68.9%) patients had access to the ICU, they were all delayed, with the most common reason for the delay being lack of ICU space. More patients who got admitted into ICU (14; 45.2%) were alive at 28 days into admission ( p = 0.04). The females (6; 13.3%) significantly survived till 28 days on admission compared with males ( p = 0.03), but there was no difference in the survival rates between children and adults. Conclusion Our study underscores the need for ICU admission in these patients to optimize outcome and identify the nonavailability of beds, as the most important cause of delayed access, as well as the need for increased manpower capacity and organized resource utilization.

Factores pronósticos del traumatismo craneoencefálico grave / Prognostic factors for severe head injury

Introducción: El traumatismo craneoencefálico (TCE) es un fenómeno frecuente, asociado a elevadas tasas de morbilidad. Clásicamente se ha prestado más atención al traumatismo craneal grave o severo, dada la trascendencia del problema sanitario. Objetivo: Describir una serie de pacientes mayores de 14 años, que sufrieron TCE grave atendidos en el Hospital Universitario de Getafe entre los años 1993 y 2015 (n = 86), estudiar el perfil epidemiológico de presentación, y analizar el diagnóstico y tratamiento efectuados, así como establecer los principales factores pronósticos que influyen en el resultado final. Método: Se ha realizado un estudio retrospectivo, de revisión de historias clínicas y entrevistas en Consultas Externas. Resultados: El TCE grave es más frecuente en varones, y el mecanismo causante más común en nuestro medio es el accidente de tráfico. En este estudio, las variables que han resultado más determinantes de la evolución adversa en el paciente que sufre trauma craneal grave son la edad, el tamaño y la reactividad pupilar, la peor puntuación obtenida por el paciente en la escala de Glasgow para el Coma y las lesiones encontradas en la Tomografía Computarizada (TC) de cráneo. Conclusiones: Las lesiones en el trauma craneal grave se pueden categorizar en nueve patrones patológicos de acuerdo con la información aportada por la TC. Estos patrones presentan un perfil anatómico, clínico y una significación pronóstica bien definidos, asociándose a su vez a un patrón de comportamiento de la PIC característico. Los hematomas extra-axiales puros son las lesiones que presentan mejor pronóstico, siendo la lesión axonal difusa asociada a hinchazón cerebral y las contusiones múltiples bilaterales las que conllevan peor evolución. La Escala de Rimel se ajusta correctamente a la severidad del traumatismo craneal. La Escala de Glasgow para el Coma se relaciona bien con el pronóstico final del paciente con trauma craneal grave.

Introduction: Head injury is a very frequent event, associated with high morbidity rates. Classically, more attention has been paid to severe trauma. This paper describes a large series of patients, all ≥14 years old, who suffered severe head injuries and were treated at the University Hospital of Getafe, between 2005 and 2015 (n = 66). Our aims were (1) to examine patients' epidemiological profile; (2) to describe the best diagnostic and therapeutic measures performed; and (3) to identify the main determinants of final outcome. Methods: This was a combined retrospective and prospective study, consisting first of a review of medical records, followed by in-house neurosurgical consultations to determine final outcomes. Results: In this study, the variables that were most determinant of poor outcomes in patients with severe head injuries were patient age, the initial size and reactivity of their pupils, their worst Glasgow Coma Scale score, and lesions found on brain computed tomography (CT). Conclusions: Severe head injuries can be categorized into nine pathological patterns, based upon brain CT findings. Each pattern has a distinct anatomical and clinical profile and well-defined prognostic significance, in turn associated with behavior patterns characteristic of intracranial pressure (ICP). Pure extra-axial hematomas are associated with the best prognosis, with diffuse axonal lesions associated with brain swelling and multiple bilateral contusions the worst. The Rimel Scale accurately adjusts to the severity of head trauma. The Glasgow Coma Scale is a good predictor of ultimate outcomes in patients with severe head injuries.

Magnitude of Severe Head Injury and Its Associated Factors among Head Injury Patients in Gedeo Zone, Southern Ethiopia: A Two-Year Retrospective Study.

BACKGROUND: Severe head injury is a major public health threat that is the main cause of morbidity and mortality in all age groups of the world's populations including Ethiopia. In view of this, this study was assessed the severity of head injury and its contributing factors. METHODS: A Two-year retrospective study was conducted at Dilla University Referral Hospital, from December 2014 to November 2016. All head injury patients admitted to the surgical ward were included. Bivariate and multivariate regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with severity of head injury. RESULTS: A total of 106 eligible head injury patient charts were reviewed. The magnitude of severe head injury was 32.1%. Young populations, mainly males, were the highest risk groups, and road traffic accident was the main cause of severe head injury. In adjusted analysis, age interval greater than 45 years (aOR, 5.41; 95% CI:1.05-29.09), alcohol consumption before the trauma (aOR, 4.16, 95%CI: 1.18, 14.61), delayed presentation (beyond 24 hours) after injury (aOR, 4.717; 95% CI: 1.02-21.81), and respiratory rate greater than 30 breaths per minute (aOR, 7.34; 95% CI: 1.88-28.73) were significantly associated with severe head injury. CONCLUSIONS: Severe head injury remains an important public health problem. Young adults were the highest risk groups of populations. Prevention of road traffic accidents, continuous awareness creation about the consequences of road traffic accident and close neurological monitoring offered by neuro-intensive care unit are recommended.

Intracranial pressure monitoring in diffuse brain injury-why the developing world needs it more?

BACKGROUND: Use of ICP monitoring is considered to be part of "standard of care" in management of severe traumatic brain injury, but it is rarely used in developing countries. The authors present a study which evaluates the efficacy and outcomes of ICP monitoring at a high-volume trauma center in India. METHODS: Data on management and outcomes for 126 patients who were admitted with diffuse traumatic brain injury (GCS 3-8) were studied prospectively over an 18-month period. These patients were treated by one of the two specific protocols: ICP monitoring-based or non-ICP monitoring-based. The primary outcome was measured based on 2 weeks mortality and GOS-E at 1, 3, and 6 months. Secondary outcome was measured based on need for brain-specific treatment, length of ICU stay, and radiation exposure. RESULTS: Mortality in a subset of patients who underwent surgical intervention later due to increased ICP values, drop in GCS, or radiological deterioration was noted to be significantly lower in the ICP monitoring group (p = 0.03), in spite of statistically insignificant difference in overall mortality rates between groups. GOS-E scores at 1 month were significantly better (p = 0.033) in ICP monitoring group, even though they equalized at 3 and 6 months. The need for brain-specific treatment (p < 0.001), radiation exposure (p < 0.001), and length of ICU stay (p = 0.013) was significantly lower in the ICP monitoring group. CONCLUSIONS: ICP monitoring-based treatment protocol helps in achieving faster recovery; lowers mortality rates in operated patients; and reduces ICU stay, radiation exposure, and the need for brain-specific treatment.

Is Mechanical Ventilation Mandatory for the Management of Severe Head Injury? Outcome in 53 Medically Managed Severe Head Injury Patients, Without Ventilatory Support: A Prospective Study.

BACKGROUND: Severe head injury (SHI) is a major cause of mortality and morbidity across the world. The current paradigm of management of SHI involves admission in Intensive Care Unit (ICU), mechanical ventilation (MV), and intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring. Such resources are expensive and often unavailable in the developing world. OBJECTIVE: MV or ICP monitoring was unavailable for our patients due to the scarcity of resources. Hence, other alternatives were considered to prevent secondary brain injury due to hypoxia. This study assessed the outcome after SHI when managed with an early tracheostomy (ET). METHODS: This prospective observational study over 13 months included all medically managed SHI patients without MV or ICP monitoring. The Glasgow outcome scale (GOS) was assessed at discharge and compared with published historical data reported after treatment in an ICU environment. RESULTS: Our study included 53 unoperated patients with SHI among 1862 patients with traumatic brain injury. Overall mortality was 24.5% (13/53) and compared favorably with reported mortality of 25%-40% reported from centers using intensive management. At discharge, the favorable outcome with a GOS of 4 or 5 was seen in 39.6% (21/53). CONCLUSION: With ET, the results of management of SHI in our patients were comparable to results reported after MV in an ICU environment. Hence, ET is a cost-effective alternative when resources are scarce. MV should be used if hypoxia persists after tracheostomy. Although MV effectively prevents hypoxia, it has complications. We conclude that although MV was unavailable for our patients, they did not have the complications associated with it.

Optic nerve sheath diameter sonography for the diagnosis of increased intracranial pressure: a systematic review and meta-analysis protocol.

INTRODUCTION: Increased intracranial pressure (ICP) is a significant neurological issue that may lead to permanent neurological sequelae. When evaluating patients with traumatic brain injury, it is crucial to identify those with high ICP in order to expedite ICP lowering measures and maintain adequate cerebral perfusion. Several measures are used to recognise patients with increased ICP including CT scan, MRI, ICP monitor, and lumbar puncture (LP). However, these tests can be invasive, associated with radiation exposure, contraindicated, or not readily available. Ultrasonography measurement of the optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) is proposed as a non-invasive and quick measure to identify high ICP. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis will be to examine the accuracy of ONSD sonography for increased ICP diagnosis. METHODS AND ANALYSES: We will include published and unpublished randomised controlled trials, observational studies, and abstracts, with no publication type or language restrictions. Search strategies will be designed to peruse the MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, WHO Clinical Trials, ClinicalTrials.gov, CINAHL, and the Cochrane Library databases. We will also implement strategies to search grey literature. Two reviewers will independently complete data abstraction and conduct quality assessment. Included studies will be assessed using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 (QUADAS-2) tool. We will construct the hierarchical summary receiver operating characteristic curve for included studies and pool sensitivity and specificity using the bivariate model. We also plan to conduct prespecified subgroup analyses to explore heterogeneity. The overall quality of evidence will be rated using Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations (GRADE). ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Research ethics board approval is not required for this study as it draws from published data and raises no concerns related to patient privacy. This review will provide a comprehensive assessment of the evidence on ONSD sonography diagnostic accuracy and is directed to a wide audience. Results from the review will be disseminated extensively through conferences and submitted to a peer-reviewed journal for publication. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42017055485. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: Trial registration number is NCT00783809.