Clinical significance of white blood cell count in ultra-early phase of acute traumatic brain injury

Abstract

Objective To investigate the clinical significances of white blood cell (WBC) count at ultra-early phase (on admission) of acute traumatic brain injury (TBI). Methods Clinical data of 114 patients (96 males and 18 females) with acute TBI were collected. Age was 11-86 years (mean, 49 years). According to the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), all patients were divided into mild (13-15 points, 28 cases), moderate (9-12 points, 46 cases) and severe (3-8 points, 40 cases) groups. According to the intracranial pressure, 86 patients monitored were grouped in low- ( 30 mmHg, 28 cases) groups. All patients were divided into craniotomy (45 cases) and non-craniotomy (69 cases) groups. WBC count was recorded and compared among groups. According to the WBC count, all patients were divided into low-WBC group ( 20×109/L, 25 cases). Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) was compared among groups. Results WBC counts in mild, moderate and severe groups were (9.8±1.8)×109/L, (16.7±3.9)×109/L and (19.6±7.1 )×109/L respectively (P< 0.01). WBC counts in low-, moderate- and high-intracranial groups were (11.1±2.6)×109/L, (17.2±3.2)×109/L and (19.4±6.2)×109/L respectively (P<0.01). WBC count in craniotomy group was (18.3±6.7)×109/L, far higher than (14.5±5.3)×109/L in non-craniotomy group (P<0.01). Rate of good prognosis differed significantly among low-, moderate- and high moderate-WBC groups (χ2=28.778, P<0.01). Conclusion In patients with acute TBI, elevated WBC count detected immediately on admission can be used as an important parameter for assessment of injury severity, development and prognosis. Key words: Craniocerebral trauma; Leukocytes; Prognosis