Clinical Analysis on 34 Diffuse Axonal Injured Cases Under 8 on the GCS

ABSTRACT

Thirty four patients with diffuse axonal injury, defined as post-traumatic coma for over 24 hours with Glasgow Coma Scale(GCS) score of 8 or less following nonsurgical resuscitation, admitted to Inha Hospital from January to December 1991, were studied in order to identify clinical analysis. The aim of this study was to find out the effects of barbiturates or other intensive therapy or head elevation on the intracranial pressure(ICP), arteriovenous oxygen difference(AVDO2) and outcome. The results were as follows; The ratio of male to female was about 6 to 1. 2) In clinical signs at the emergency room, abnormal pupil size was shown 17 cases(61%) under 8-5 on the GCS, but all cases under 5 on the GCS showed abnormal pupil size. 3) Ventricular compression was shown in 29 cases(85%), 17 cases(50%) was showed the ventricular compression & cisternal obliteration. 4) Post-traumatic cerebral infarction was developed 59% of DAI and occurred in 88% of ventricular compression and cisternal obliteration. 5) On admission, above 5 ml/100 ml in AVDO2 was developed in 32 cases(94%) under 8 on the GCS, but in all cases under 5 on the GCS. Recording of ICP showed above 20 mmHg in 15 cases(44%). On coagulopathy, our cases showed that decrease of platelet was involved in 5 cases(15%), prothrombin time(PT) prolongation in 11 cases(32%), activated partial thromboplastin time(APTT) in 4 cases, fibrinogen in 5 cases. 6) The mean ICP was slightly lower when the patient's head was elevated at 30 degree than at 0 degree. The mean ICP was moderately lower when the patients were taken barbiturates therapy. ICP tends to increase from the 1st to 3rd day after injury. 7) The mean AVDO2 was significantly lower when the patients were taken barbiturates therapy, especially at the 1st day. 8) On the relation between Glasgow Outcome Scale(GOS) and Neurological grading(NG), GOS IV was developed in 8 cases(NG score 3-6), GOS III in 5 cases(NG score 7-9), GOS II in 2 cases(NG score 10). Total mortality rate was 56%.