Compression Of Basal Cisterns Research Articles

Radiologic and Blood Markers Predicting Long-Term Neurologic Outcome Following Decompressive Craniectomy for Malignant Ischemic Stroke: A Preliminary Single-Center Study.

Malignant ischemic stroke (MIS) is defined by progressive cerebral edema leading to increased intracranial pressure (ICP), compression of neural structures, and, eventually, death. Decompressive craniectomy (DC) has been advocated as a lifesaving procedure in the management of patients with MIS. This study aims to identify pre- and postoperative predictive variables of neurologic outcomes in patients undergoing DC for MIS. We conducted a retrospective study of patients undergoing DC in a single center from April 2016 to April 2020. Preoperative workup included baseline clinical status, laboratory data, and brain computed tomography (CT). The primary outcome was the 6-month modified Rankin score (mRS). The secondary outcome was the 30-day mortality. During data capture, a total of 58 patients fulfilled the criteria for MIS, of which 22 underwent DC for medically refractory increased ICP and were included in the present analysis. The overall median age was 58.5 years. An immediate (24 hour) postoperative extended Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOSE) score ≥5 was associated with a good 6-month mRS (1-3; p = 0.004). Similarly, low postoperative neutrophils (p = 0.002), low lymphocytes (p = 0.004), decreased neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR; p = 0.02), and decreased platelet-to-lymphocytes ratio (PLR; p = 0.03) were associated with good neurologic outcomes. Preoperative variables independently associated with worsened 6-month mRS were the following: increased age (odds ratio [OR]: 1.10; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01-1.20; p = 0.02), increased National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score (OR: 7.8; 95% CI: 2.5-12.5; p = 0.035), Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score less than 8 at the time of neurosurgical referral (OR: 21.63; 95% CI: 1.42-328; p = 0.02), and increased partial thromboplastin time (PTT) before surgery (OR: 2.11; 95% CI: 1.11-4; p = 0.02). Decreased postoperative lymphocytes confirmed a protective role against worsened functional outcomes (OR: 0.01; 95% CI: 0.01-0.4; p = 0.02). Decreased postoperative lymphocyte count was associated with a protective role against increased mRS (OR: 0.01; 95% CI: 0.01-0.4; p = 0.02). The occurrence of hydrocephalus at the postoperative CT scan was associated with 30-day mortality (p = 0.005), while the persistence of postoperative compression of the ambient and crural cistern showed a trend towards higher mortality (p = 0.07). This study reports that patients undergoing DC for MIS showing decreased postoperative blood inflammatory markers achieved better 6-month neurologic outcomes than patients with increased inflammatory markers. Similarly, poor NIHSS score, poor GCS score, increased age, and larger PTT values at the time of surgery were independent predictors of poor outcomes. Moreover, the persistence of postoperative compression of basal cisterns and the occurrence of hydrocephalus are associated with 30-day mortality.

Traumatic Brain Injury Outcome Associations With Computed Tomography and Glasgow Coma Scale Score Interactions: A Retrospective Study.

Background Numerous investigators have shown that early postinjury Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) values are associated with later clinical outcomes in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI), in-hospital mortality, and post-hospital discharge Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) results. Following TBI, early GCS, and brain computed tomography (CT) scores have been associated with clinical outcomes. However, only one previous study combined GCS scores with CT scan results and demonstrated an interaction with in-hospital mortality and GOS results. We aimed to determine if interactive GCS and CT findings would be associated with outcomes better than GCS and CT findings alone. Methodology Our study included TBI patients who had GCS scores of 3-12 and required mechanical ventilation for ≥five days. The GCS deficit was determined as 15 minus the GCS score. The mass effect CT score was calculated as lateral ventricular compression plus basal cistern compression plus midline shift. Each value was 1 for present. A prognostic CT score was the mass effect score plus subarachnoid hemorrhage (2 if present).The CT-GCS deficit score was the sum of the GCS deficit and the prognostic CT score. Results One hundred and twelve consecutive TBI patients met the inclusion criteria. Patients with surgical decompression had a lower GCS score (6.0±3.0) than those without (7.7±3.3; Cohen d=0.54). Patients with surgical decompression had a higher mass effect CT score (2.8±0.5) than those without (1.7±1.0; Cohen d=1.4). The GCS deficit was greater in patients not following commands at hospital discharge (9.6±2.6) than in those following commands (6.8±3.2; Cohen d=0.96). The prognostic CT score was greater in patients not following commands at hospital discharge (3.7±1.2) than in those following commands (3.1±1.1; Cohen d=0.52). The CT-GCS deficit score was greater in patients not following commands at hospital discharge (13.3±3.2) than in those following commands (9.9±3.2; Cohen d=1.06). Logistic regression stepwise analysis showed that the failure to follow commands at hospital discharge was associated with the CT-GCS deficit score but not with the GCS deficit. The GCS deficit was greater in patients not following commands at three months (9.7±2.8) than in those following commands (7.4±3.2; Cohen d=0.78). The CT-GCS deficit score was greater in patients not following commands at three months (13.6±3.1) than in those following commands (10.5±3.4; Cohen d=0.94). Logistic regression stepwise analysis showed that failure to follow commands at three months was associated with the CT-GCS deficit score but not with the GCS deficit. The proportion not following commands at three months was greater with a GCS deficit of 9-12 (50.9%) than with a GCS deficit of 3-8 (21.1%; odds ratio=3.9; risk ratio=2.1). The proportion of not following commands at three months was greater with a CT-GCS deficit score of 13-17 (56.0%) than with a CT-GCS deficit score of 4-12 (18.3%; OR=5.7; RR=3.1). Conclusion The mass effect CT score had a substantially better association with the need for surgical decompression than did the GCS score. The degree of association for not following commands at hospital discharge and three months was greater with the CT-GCS deficit score than with the GCS deficit. These observations support the notion that a mass effect and subarachnoid hemorrhage composite CT score can interact with the GCS score to better prognosticate TBI outcomes than the GCS score alone.

Degree of basal cisterns compression predicting mortality and functional outcome after craniotomy and primary decompressive craniectomy in acute subdural hematoma population.

The compression of basal cisterns on CT is one of the signs of intracranial hypertension in TBI population. This study evaluates the relationship between the degree of basal cisterns effacement and outcomes in aSDH population. The study includes prospectively collected data from 290 patients who underwent osteoplastic craniotomy (OC) or primary decompressive craniectomy (pDC) for aSDH from 2016 to 2021. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed to evaluate the association of baseline characteristics and extent of basal cisterns compression on pre-operative and post-operative CT scans with the outcomes at the time of discharge. Outcomes were dichotomized into mortality (and unfavourable (GOS 1-3 vs GOS 4-5). The degree of cisternal compression was evaluated using the cisternal effacement score of perimesencephalic and quadrigeminal cisternal components. Critical thresholds associated with the outcomes were calculated. Age and pre-/post-operative degree of cisternal compression were the strongest independent predictors of intrahospital mortality in a whole sample and separately in OC and pDC subgroups. The unfavourable outcome was independently predicted by age, pre-/post-operative status of cisternal compression and initial GCS. Critical thresholds associated with the mortality and poor functional outcome were, respectively, age ≥ 70 (OR 3.14 [CI 95% 1.82-5.46], p < 0.001) and ≥ 67 (OR 3.87 [CI 95% 2.33-6.54], p < 0.001), pre-operative cisternal effacement score ≥ 9 (OR 6.39 [CI 95% 3.62-11.53], p < 0.001) and ≥ 7 (OR 4.93 [CI 95% 2.96-8.38], p < 0.001), post-operative cisternal effacement score ≥ 6 (OR 20.6 [CI 95% 10.08-45.10], p < 0.001) and ≥ 3 (OR 7.47 [CI 95% 3.87-15.73], p < 0.001) and initial GCS ≤ 8 (OR 0.24 [CI 95% 0.13-0.43], p < 0.001 and OR 0.12 [CI 95% 0.07-0.21], p < 0.001). After adjusting for baseline characteristics, age and degree of cisternal compression remained the independent predictors of mortality, whereas unfavourable outcomes were associated with age, cisternal obliteration and GCS on presentation.

Postoperative cerebral infarction after evacuation of traumatic epidural hematoma in children younger than two years: Single-center experience.

Background: Epidural hematoma (EDH) forms about 2–3% of all head injuries in the pediatric population. We evaluated clinical data and risk factors for postoperative infarction in children younger than 2 years presented with traumatic EDH.Methods: We retrospectively reviewed and analyzed the data of 28 children with traumatic EDH operated in our institute during a period of 26 months (from December 2016 to Febuary 2019).Results: Nineteen children were boys (68%) and nine were girls (32%), the mean age was 15 months (range from 5 to 24 months). Postoperative cerebral infarction was detected in seven cases (25%). Factors could be linked to postoperative cerebral: preoperative pediatric Glasgow Coma Scale (P = 0.036), neurological deficit on admission (P = 0.023), size of hematoma (P < 0.001), time between trauma and surgery (P = 0.004), midline shift (MLS) (P = 0.001), and basal cistern compression (P = 0.004).Conclusion: Traumatic EDH in young children represents a neurosurgical challenge that needs rapid surgical intervention for the best surgical outcome. Delay in the time of surgery for more than 6 h, large hematoma volume >100 ml3, MLS >10 mm, and basal cisterns compression will push the intracranial pressure to the point of decompensation and the resultant ischemic sequel occurs.

Risk Factors for Atorvastatin as a Monotherapy for Chronic Subdural Hematoma: A Retrospective Multifactor Analysis.

Chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) is a common form of intracranial hemorrhage in the aging population. We aimed to investigate the predictive factors for atorvastatin efficacy as a monotherapy for moderate CSDH. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients who were diagnosed with moderate CSDH and received atorvastatin monotherapy between February 5, 2014, and November 7, 2015, in multiple neurosurgical departments. Univariate, multivariate and receiver operating characteristic curve analyses were performed to identify the potential significant factors indicative of the good therapeutic efficacy or poor therapeutic efficacy of atorvastatin for mild CSDH, such as age, sex, history of injury, Markwalder grading scale–Glasgow Coma Scale (MGS-GCS), Activities of Daily Life-the Barthel Index scale (ADL-BI), American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classification system (ASA-PS), blood cell counts, serum levels and computed tomography findings. A total of 89 patients (75 men and 14 women) aged 24–88 years (mean age 61.95 ± 15.30 years) were followed-up for 24 weeks. Computed tomography findings at admission showed mixed-density hematoma in 22 patients, isodense hematoma in 13 patients, high-density hematoma in 26 patients, and low-density hematoma in 28 patients. In total, 3, 80, and 6 patients had MGS-GCS grades of 0, 1, and 2, respectively. The efficacy rate at 6 months was 87.6% (78/89). Eleven patients were switched to surgery due to a worsened neurological condition, of whom 8, 1, 1, and 1 had high-density, low-density, isodense and mixed-density hematomas, respectively. These patients were switched to surgery over a range of 2–27 days, with a median interval of 12 days after the medication treatment. Univariate and multivariate analyses, confirmed by ROC curves, revealed that high-density hematoma, basal cistern compression, and hematoma volume to be independent risk factors for the efficacy of atorvastatin monotherapy in patients with moderate CSDH. Atorvastatin is an effective monotherapy for the treatment of mild CSDH. High-density hematoma, basal cistern compression, and hematoma volume are independent predictors of the efficacy of atorvastatin as a non-surgical treatment. The results suggested that ADL-BI was more sensitive than the MGS-GCS and ASA-PS for determining patient outcomes in our moderate CSDH cohort.

Traumatic axonal injury on clinical MRI: association with the Glasgow Coma Scale score at scene of injury or at admission and prolonged posttraumatic amnesia.

The aim in this study was to investigate if MRI findings of traumatic axonal injury (TAI) after traumatic brain injury (TBI) are related to the admission Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score and prolonged duration of posttraumatic amnesia (PTA). A total of 490 patients with mild to severe TBI underwent brain MRI within 6 weeks of injury (mild TBI: median 2 days; moderate to severe TBI: median 8 days). The location of TAI lesions and measures of total TAI lesion burden (number and volume of lesions on FLAIR and diffusion-weighted imaging and number of lesions on T2*-weighted gradient echo or susceptibility-weighted imaging) were quantified in a blinded manner for clinical information. The volume of contusions on FLAIR was likewise recorded. Associations between GCS score and the location and burden of TAI lesions were examined with multiple linear regression, adjusted for age, Marshall CT score (which includes compression of basal cisterns, midline shift, and mass lesions), and alcohol intoxication. The predictive value of TAI lesion location and burden for duration of PTA > 28 days was analyzed with multiple logistic regression, adjusted for age and Marshall CT score. Complete-case analyses of patients with TAI were used for the regression analyses of GCS scores (n = 268) and PTA (n = 252). TAI lesions were observed in 58% of patients: in 7% of mild, 69% of moderate, and 93% of severe TBI cases. The TAI lesion location associated with the lowest GCS scores were bilateral lesions in the brainstem (mean difference in GCS score -2.5), followed by lesions bilaterally in the thalamus, unilaterally in the brainstem, and lesions in the splenium. The volume of TAI on FLAIR was the measure of total lesion burden most strongly associated with the GCS score. Bilateral TAI lesions in the thalamus had the largest predictive value for PTA > 28 days (OR 16.2, 95% CI 3.9-87.4). Of the measures of total TAI lesion burden, the FLAIR volume of TAI predicted PTA > 28 days the best. Bilateral TAI lesions in the brainstem and thalamus, as well as the total volume of TAI lesions on FLAIR, had the strongest association with the GCS score and prolonged PTA. The current study proposes a first step toward a modified classification of TAI, with grades ranked according to their relation to these two measures of clinical TBI severity.

Civilian Firearm-Inflicted Brain Injury: Coagulopathy, Vascular Injuries, and Triage.

Civilian firearm-inflicted penetrating brain injury (PBI) carries high morbidity and mortality. Concurrently, the evidence base guiding management decisions remains limited. Faced with large volume of PBI patients, we have made observations in relation to coagulopathy and cerebrovascular injuries. We here review this literature in addition to the question about early prognostication as it may inform neurosurgical decision-making. The triad of coagulopathy, low motor score, and radiographic compression of basal cisterns comprises a phenotype of injury with exceedingly high mortality. PBI leads to high rates of cerebral arterial and venous injuries, and projectile trajectory is emerging as an independent predictor of outcome. The combination of coagulopathy with cerebrovascular injury creates a specific endophenotype. The nature and role of coagulopathy remain to be deciphered, and consideration to the use of tranexamic acid should be given. Prospective controlled trials are needed to create clinical evidence free of patient selection bias.

Diagnosis of elevated intracranial pressure in critically ill adults: systematic review and meta-analysis

ObjectivesTo summarise and compare the accuracy of physical examination, computed tomography (CT), sonography of the optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD), and transcranial Doppler pulsatility index (TCD-PI) for the diagnosis of...

MP07: Diagnosis of elevated intracranial pressure in critically ill adults – a systematic review and meta-analysis

Introduction: Elevated intracranial pressure (ICP) is a devastating complication of brain injury, such as traumatic brain injury, subarachnoid hemorrhage, intracerebral hemorrhage, ischemic stroke, and other conditions. Delay to diagnosis and treatment are associated with increased morbidity and mortality. For Emergency Department (ED) physicians, invasive ICP measurement is typically not available. We sought to summarize and compare the accuracy of physical examination, imaging, and ultrasonography of the optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) for diagnosis of elevated ICP. Methods: We searched Medline, EMBASE and 4 other databases from inception through August 2018. We included only English studies (randomized controlled trials, cohort and case-control studies). Gold standard was ICP≥20 mmHg on invasive ICP monitoring. Two reviewers independently screened studies and extracted data. We assessed risk of bias using Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies 2 criteria. Hierarchical Summary Receiver Operating Characteristic model generated summary diagnostic accuracy estimates. Results: We included 37 studies (n = 4,768, kappa = 0.96). Of exam signs, pooled sensitivity and specificity for increased ICP were: mydriasis (28.2% [95% CI: 16.0-44.8], 85.9.0% [95% CI: 74.9-92.5]), motor posturing (54.3% [95% CI: 36.6-71.0], 63.6% [95% CI: 46.5-77.8]) and Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) ≤8 (75.8% [95% CI: 62.4-85.5], 39.9% [95% CI: 26.9-54.5]). Computed tomography findings: compression of basal cisterns had 85.9% [95% CI: 58.0-96.4] sensitivity and 61.0% [95% CI: 29.1-85.6] specificity; any midline shift had 80.9% [95% CI: 64.3-90.9] sensitivity and 42.7% [95% CI: 24.0-63.7] specificity; midline shift≥1cm had 20.7% [95% CI: 13.0-31.3] sensitivity and 89.2% {95% CI: 77.5-95.2] specificity. Finally, pooled area under the ROC curve describing accuracy for ONSD sonography for ICP was 0.94 (95% CI: 0.91-0.96). Conclusion: The absence of any one physical exam feature (e.g. mydriasis, posturing, or decreased GCS) is not sufficient to rule-out elevated ICP. Significant midline shift is highly suggestive of elevated ICP, but absence of shift does not rule it out. ONSD sonography may be useful in diagnosing elevated ICP. High suspicion of elevated ICP may necessitate treatment and transfer to a centre capable of invasive ICP monitoring.

Concomitant chest trauma and traumatic brain injury, biomarkers correlate with worse outcomes.

Clinical data are lacking on the influence of chest trauma on the secondary injury process after traumatic brain injury (TBI), with some data suggesting that multiple trauma may worsens brain injury. Blunt chest trauma and TBI represent the two major single injury entities with the highest risk of complications and are potential biomarker targets. Trauma patients with severe TBI were enrolled. Serum biomarker levels were obtained every 6 hours for 72 hours. Baseline, 6 hours and 24 hours CT head scans were evaluated. Neurologic worsening was defined as increased contusions, ischemia, compression of basal cisterns, and/or midline shift. The TBI patients with chest injury (Abbreviated Injury Scale chest score ≥1) and those without chest injury were compared. Wilcoxon rank sum test, univariate logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic were reported. Fifty-seven patients. Mean age of 40.5 years. Median motor Glasgow Coma Scale score at admission and 24 hours was 3 (interquartile range, 1-5) and 5 (interquartile range, 3-5). Of the patients enrolled, 12.2% patients underwent craniotomy within 6 hours from the time of admission and 22.8% within 12 hours. Patients with chest trauma, 24.5% had a chest Abbreviated Injury Scale score of 3 or greater, and 73.6% sustained blunt chest trauma. Stratifying TBI patients with and without chest injury revealed higher mean levels of IL-4, IL-5, IL-8, and IL-10 and lower mean IFN-γ and IL-7 levels in patient with chest injury. IL-7 levels adjusted for chest injury predicted neurological worsening with area under the receiver operating characteristic of 0.59 (p value = 0.011). The TBI and chest trauma patients' IL-4 and neuron-specific enolase levels were predictive of mortality (area under the receiver operating characteristic of 0.67 and 0.63, p = 0.0001, 0.003), respectively. Utilizing biomarkers for early identification of patients with TBI and chest trauma has the capability of modifying adverse factors affecting morbidity and mortality in this subset of TBI patients. Level III.

Clinical evaluation of post-operative cerebral infarction in traumatic epidural haematoma

ABSTRACTBackground: Patients with traumatic epidural haematoma, undergoing the prompt and correct treatment, usually have favourable outcomes. However, secondary cerebral infarction may be life-threatening condition, as it is difficult to be identified before neurological impairment occurs.Objective: To evaluate the clinical data of patients with traumatic EDH and assess potential risk factors for post-operative cerebral infarction.Methods: The clinical data of patients with traumatic EDH were collected and analysed retrospectively.Results: The univariate analysis revealed 10 potential risk factors (the haematoma location, volume, the largest thickness and mid-line shift, basal cisterns compression, traumatic subarachnoid haemorrhage, pupil dilatation, pre-operative Glasgow Coma Scale score, ∆GCS and intraoperative brain pressure) for cerebral infarction with statistically significant difference. Of these factors, haematoma volume and basal cistern compression turned out to be the most significant risk factors through final multivariate logistic regression analysis.Conclusion: The findings of this study can provide predictive factors for development of cerebral infarction and information for clinical decision-making and future studies.

Decompressive Craniectomy in Patients with Traumatic Brain Injury: Are the Usual Indications Congruent with Those Evaluated in Clinical Trials?

In patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI), multicenter randomized controlled trials have assessed decompressive craniectomy (DC) exclusively as treatment for refractory elevation of intracranial pressure (ICP). DC reliably lowers ICP but does not necessarily improve outcomes. However, some patients undergo DC as treatment for impending or established transtentorial herniation, irrespective of ICP. We performed a population-based cohort study assessing consecutive patients with moderate-severe TBI. Indications for DC were compared with enrollment criteria for the DECRA and RESCUE-ICP trials. Of 644 consecutive patients, 51 (8%) were treated with DC. All patients undergoing DC had compressed basal cisterns, 82% had at least temporary preoperative loss of ≥1 pupillary light reflex (PLR), and 80% had >5mm of midline shift. Most DC procedures (67%) were "primary," having been performed concomitantly with evacuation of a space-occupying lesion. ICP measurements influenced the decision to perform DC in 18% of patients. Only 10 and 16% of patients, respectively, would have been eligible for the DECRA and RESCUE-ICP trials. DC improved basal cistern compression in 76%, and midline shift in 94% of patients. Among patients with ≥1 absent PLR at admission, DC was associated with lower mortality (46 vs. 68%, p=0.03), especially when the admission Marshall CT score was 3-4 (p=0.0005). No patients treated with DC progressed to brain death. Variables predictive of poor outcome following DC included loss of PLR(s), poor motor score, midline shift ≥11mm, and development of perioperative cerebral infarcts. DC is most often performed for clinical and radiographic evidence of herniation, rather than for refractory ICP elevation. Results of previously completed randomized trials do not directly apply to a large proportion of patients undergoing DC in practice.

Predictors of intensive care unit length of stay and intracranial pressure in severe traumatic brain injury

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to explore the relationship of intracranial pressure (ICP) with intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay in a large cohort of severe traumatic brain injury patients and identify factors associating with prolonged ICU course. MethodsThis was a single-center database review of de-identified research data that had been prospectively collected; setting: neurosurgical ICU, Ben Taub General Hospital, Houston, TX. ResultsIn a cohort of 438 severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients, 149 (34%) had a motor Glasgow Coma Scale score of 1 to 3 on admission and 284 (65%) had 4 to 5. Intracranial pressure during the ICU course was 19.8 ± 11.2 mm Hg. Favorable outcome was obtained in 148 (34%), and unfavorable, in 211 (48%) patients with a mortality of 28%. ICU length of stay (LOS) was 19.4 ± 13.9 days. Joint modeling of ICP and ICU LOS was undertaken, adjusted for the International Mission for Prognosis and Analysis of Clinical Trials in TBI admission prognostic indicators. A higher ICP was not significantly associated with longer ICU LOS (P = .4). However, presence of a mass lesion on admission head computed tomography was strongly correlated with a prolonged ICU LOS (P = .0007). Diffuse injuries with basal cistern compression or midline shift were marginally associated with a longer ICU LOS (P = .053). ConclusionsICP, as monitored and managed according to BTF guidelines, is not associated with ICU length of stay. Patients with severe TBI and a mass lesion on admission head computed tomography were found to have prolonged ICU LOS independently of other indicators of injury severity and intracranial pressure course.

Computed tomography as a tool to detect potential brain-dead donors

Background and objectiveTo assess the ability of urgent head computed tomography (CT) scan screening to detect patients who can evolve to brain death (BD). Patients and methodPatients who underwent urgent head CT scan and meet the following criteria: midline shift greater than 5mm and/or decrease or absence of basal cisterns. A follow-up for 28 days of each patient was made. Epidemiological data (sex, age, cause of brain injury), clinical data (level of consciousness, severity index in the CT) and patient outcomes (death, BD, discharge or transfer) were recorded. This was a prospective observational study. ResultsOne hundred and sixty-six patients were selected for study, with mean age 60.08 (SD 21.8) years. A percentage of 49.4 were men and the rest women. In the follow-up, 20.5% (n=34) had BD. In univariate analysis, intracerebral haemorrhage, Glasgow Coma Scale score less than 8 and alteration of basal cisterns were statistically significant in predicting BD (P<.05). Multivariate analysis showed that patients with compression of basal cisterns were 20 (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 2.61–153.78; P=.004] times more likely to progress to brain death, while the absence there of 62.6 (95% CI 13.1–738.8; P<.001] times more. ConclusionsOur work shows that data as easy to interpret as compression/absence of basal cisterns can be a powerful tool for screening patients at risk for progression to BD.

Changes of fractional anisotropy (FA) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) in the model of experimental acute hydrocephalus in rabbits.

To study the integrity of white matter, we investigated the correlation between the changes in neuroradiological and morphological parameters in an animal model of acute obstructive hydrocephalus. Hydrocephalus was induced in New Zealand rabbits (n = 10) by stereotactic injection of kaolin into the lateral ventricles. Control animals received saline in place of kaolin (n = 10). The progression of hydrocephalus was assessed using magnetic resonance imaging. Regional fractional anisotropy (FA) and the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) were measured in several white matter regions before and after the infusion of kaolin. Morphology of myelinated nerve fibers as well as of the blood-brain barrier were studied with the help of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and light microscopy. Compared with control animals, kaolin injection into the ventricles resulted in a dramatic increase in ventricular volume with compression of basal cisterns, brain shift and periventricular edema (as observed on magnetic resonance imaging [MRI]). The values of ADC in the periventricular and periaqueductal areas significantly increased in the experimental group (P < 0.05). FA decreased by a factor of 2 in the zones of periventricular, periaqueductal white matter and corpus collosum. Histological analysis demonstrated the impairment of the white matter and necrobiotic changes in the cortex. Microsctructural alterations of the myelin fibers were further proved with the help of TEM. Blood-brain barrier ultrastructure assessment showed the loss of its integrity. The study demonstrated the correlation of the neuroradiological parameters with morphological changes. The abnormality of the FA and ADC parameters in the obstructive hydrocephalus represents a significant implication for the diagnostics and management of hydrocephalus in patients.

Utilidad de la tomografía computarizada como herramienta para detectar potenciales donantes en muerte encefálica

Background and objectiveTo assess the ability of urgent head computed tomography (CT) scan screening to detect patients who can evolve to brain death (BD). Patients and methodPatients who underwent urgent head CT scan and meet the following criteria: midline shift greater than 5mm and/or decrease or absence of basal cisterns. A follow-up for 28 days of each patient was made. Epidemiological data (sex, age, cause of brain injury), clinical data (level of consciousness, severity index in the CT) and patient outcomes (death, BD, discharge or transfer) were recorded. This was a prospective observational study. ResultsOne hundred and sixty-six patients were selected for study, with mean age 60.08 (SD 21.8) years. A percentage of 49.4 were men and the rest women. In the follow-up, 20,5% (n=34) had BD. In univariate analysis, intracerebral hemorrhage, Glasgow Coma Scale score less than 8 and alteration of basal cisterns were statistically significant in predicting BD (P<.05). Multivariate analysis showed that patients with compression of basal cisterns were 20 (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 2.61 to 153.78; P=.004] times more likely to progress to brain death, while the absence there of 62.6 (95% CI 13.1 to 738.8; P<.001] times more. ConclusionsOur work shows that data as easy to interpret as compression/absence of basal cisterns can be a powerful tool for screening patients at risk for progression to BD.

Decompressive craniectomy or medical management for refractory intracranial hypertension

Moderate/severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) management involves minimizing cerebral edema to maintain brain oxygen delivery. While medical therapy (MT) consisting of diuresis, hyperosmolar therapy, ventriculostomy, and barbiturate coma is the standard of care, decompressive craniectomy (DC) for refractory intracranial hypertension (ICH) has gained renewed interest. Since TBI treatment guidelines consider DC a second-tier intervention after MT failure, we sought to determine if early DC (<48 hours) was associated with improved survival in patients with refractory ICH. Eleven Level 1 trauma centers provided clinical data and head computed tomographic scans for patients with a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of 13 or less and radiographic evidence of TBI excluding deaths within 48 hours. Computed tomographic scans were graded according to the Marshall classification. A propensity score to receive DC (regardless of whether DC was performed) was calculated for each patient based on patient characteristics, physiology, injury severity, GCS, severity of intracranial injury, and treatment center. Patients who actually received a DC were matched to patients with similar propensity scores who received MT for analysis. Outcomes were compared between early (<48 hours of injury) primary or secondary DC and matched controls and then between early primary DC only and matched controls. There were 2,602 patients who met the inclusion criteria ,of whom 264 (10.1%) received DC (either primary or secondary to another cranial procedure) and 109 (5%) had a DC that was primary. Variables associated with performing a DC included sex, race, intracranial pressure monitor placement, in-house trauma attending, traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage, midline shift, and basal cistern compression. There was no survival benefit with early primary DC compared with the controls (relative risk, 1.07; 95% confidence interval, 0.67-1.73; p = 0.77), and resource use was higher. Early DC does not seem to significantly improve mortality in patients with refractory ICH compared with MT. Neurosurgeons should pause before entertaining this resource-demanding form of therapy. Therapeutic care/management, level III.

Early mortality predictor of severe traumatic brain injury: A single center study of prognostic variables based on admission characteristics

ObjectiveTraumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the leading cause of death in many developing countries. The intention of this study was to develop a predictor model – to identify high death risk of severely head-injured patients in an early period in order to plan an effective and efficient treatment strategy. MethodWe conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study with subjects of severe TBI patients (n = 61) from 1st of January to 31st December 2010. Variables included age, gender, blood pressure, mean arterial pressure, pulse rate, respiration rate, temperature, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score, motor response, choice of treatment and head computed tomography (CT) profiles. These models – then analyzed using multiple logistic regression. ResultsThe outcome of this study produced five factors that correlated significantly with the survival of these patients: compression in basal cistern, low motor response (<4), presence of intradural lesion, mean arterial pressure, and midline shift. We divided these factors into major and minor factor according to their contribution to survival. Compression of basal cistern compression and low motor response (<4) are the most significant factors in predicting mortality (sensitivity greater than 90%). ConclusionBasal cistern compression and motor response were the most valuable factors in determining the risk of death in severe TBI patients.

Risk Factors Associated with Subdural Hygroma after Decompressive Craniectomy in Patients with Traumatic Brain Injury : A Comparative Study

Subdural hygroma (SDG) is a complication occurring after head trauma that may occur secondary to decompressive craniectomy (DC). However, the mechanism underlying SDG formation is not fully understood. Also, the relationship between the operative technique of DC or the decompressive effect and the occurrence and pathophysiology of SDG has not been clarified. Purpose of this study was to investigate the risk factors of SDG after DC in our series. From January 2004 to December 2008, DC was performed in 85 patients who suffered from traumatic brain injury. We retrospectively reviewed the clinical and radiological features. For comparative analysis, we divided the patients into 2 groups : one group with SDG after craniectomy (19 patients; 28.4% of the total sample), the other group without SDG (48 patients; 71.6%). The risk factors for developing SDG were then analyzed. The mean Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) scores at discharge of the groups with and without SDG were 2.8 and 3.1, respectively (p<0.0001). Analysis of radiological factors showed that a midline shift in excess of 5 mm on CT scans was present in 19 patients (100%) in the group with SDG and in 32 patients (66.7%) in the group without SDG (p<0.05). An accompanying subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) was seen in 17 patients (89.5%) in the group with SDG and in 29 patients (60.4%) in the group without SDG (p<0.05). Delayed hydrocephalus accompanied these findings in 10 patients (52.6%) in the group with SDG, versus 5 patients (10.4%) in the group without SDG (p<0.05). On CT, compression of basal cisterns was observed in 14 members (73.7%) in the group with SDG and in 18 members of the group without SDG (37.5%) (p<0.007). Furthermore, tearing of the arachnoid membrane, as observed on CT, was more common in all patients in the group with SDG (100%) than in the group without SDG (31 patients; 64.6%) (p<0.05). GOS showed statistically significant difference in the clinical risk factors for SDG between the group with SDG and the group without SDG. Analysis of radiological factors indicated that a midline shifting exceeding 5 mm, SAH, delayed hydrocephalus, compression of basal cisterns, and tearing of the arachnoid membrane were significantly more common in patients with SDG.

τ Proteins in Serum Predict Outcome After Severe Traumatic Brain Injury

The identification of reliable outcome predictors after traumatic brain injury (TBI) is crucial. The objective of our study was to investigate the role of tau protein as a serum marker of TBI. Thirty-four patients with severe TBI (Glasgow Coma Scale [GCS] score at admission <or= 8) were considered. The tau protein level in the blood samples obtained at the time of admission was measured. The outcome was assessed by using the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) at 6 mo post-injury. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory variables were analyzed to study their effect on the outcome. tau Protein levels were higher in the poor outcome group (436.2 +/- 473.6 pg/mL) than in the good outcome group (51.6 +/- 81.5 pg/mL) (P < 0.0001). Univariate analyses demonstrated that poor outcome was significantly associated with a poor GCS score (P = 0.001), higher serum tau protein levels (P < 0.001), abnormal pupil light reflex (P = 0.013), and basal cistern compression on computed tomogram (CT) (P = 0.026). Multivariate analyses revealed that a poor GCS score (P = 0.049) and higher serum tau protein levels (P = 0.043) were independent prognostic factors for poor outcome. The receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve demonstrated that a tau protein level >or= 114.5 pg/mL yielded 88% sensitivity and 94% specificity for predicting a poor outcome. These results suggest that in addition to GCS; serum tau protein levels may serve as indicators for the prediction of outcome following severe TBI. However; it should be viewed with caution because of the small sample size and wide standard deviations.