Management Of Severe Head Injury Research Articles

Цільовий температурний менеджмент у комплексі інтенсивної терапії важкої черепно-мозкової травми

Актуальність. Гіпертермія викликає церебральне пошкодження і погіршує неврологічне відновлення при важкій черепно-мозковій травмі (ЧМТ). Метою роботи було вивчення неврологічних наслідків у пацієнтів з тяжкою ЧМТ та рефрактерною к фармакологічній корекції гіпертермією при використанні цільового температурного менеджменту з залученням езофагеального охолоджувального пристрою в комплексі інтенсивної терапії порівняно з групою контролю. Матеріали та методи. Обстежено 20 пацієнтів віком від 23 до 54 років із діагнозом «важка ЧМТ». Пацієнти були розподілені на 2 групи: пацієнтам I групи (n = 10) здійснювався стандартний комплекс інтенсивної терапії, що базується на міжнародних рекомендаціях щодо менеджменту важкої ЧМТ (2007, 2016 рр.); у II групі (n = 10) у стандартний комплекс інтенсивної терапії було включено цільовий температурний менеджмент (ЦТМ) за допомогою гіпотерма «Blanketrol II» (CSZ, США) і езофагеального пристрою для охолодження (Esophageal Cooling Device, ACT, США) з метою досягнення нормотермії у діапазоні 36,5–37 °С. У всіх пацієнтів оцінювався неврологічний статус за шкалою коми Глазго на наступних етапах: початково, на 5-ту, 10-ту добу та на момент виписки з лікувального закладу. Наслідки перенесеної ЧМТ визначалися за шкалою СРС (Сerebral Performance Categories), з оцінкою максимального балу при знаходженні у відділенні реанімації та інтенсивної терапії (ВРІТ) та на момент виписки з лікувального закладу. Результати. Аналіз динаміки неврологічного відновлення при виписці з лікувального закладу виявив достовірне поліпшення в групі пацієнтів із застосуванням ЦТМ, що знайшло відображення у середньому значенні за шкалою коми Глазго 13,50 ± 1,36 бала порівняно з 11,5 ± 1,8 бала в контрольній групі (p < 0,05). При аналізі кращих значень за шкалою СРС в період знаходження пацієнтів в умовах ВРІТ добре неврологічне відновлення, що відповідало СРС 1–2, було отримано у 20 та 50 %, погане на рівні СРС 3–4 — у 70 і 50 % пацієнтів у контрольній та групі із застосуванням ЦТМ відповідно. При виписці з лікувального закладу неврологічне відновлення на рівні СРС 1–2 було виявлено у 30 % порівняно з 80 %, на рівні СРС 3–4 — у 70 % порівняно з 20 % пацієнтів у контрольній і групі із застосуванням ЦТМ відповідно. Міжгрупові відмінності середніх значень за шкалою СРС на момент виписки з лікувального закладу мали вірогідний характер та становили 2,90 ± 0,94 і 2,00 ± 0,77 (Р = 0,02) в контрольній і основній групах відповідно. Висновки. Використання цільового температурного менеджменту з метою забезпечення нормотермії створює сприятливі умови для більш повного відновлення порушених неврологічних функцій після важкої черепно-мозкової травми.

Neurotrauma Clinical Practice Guidelines Committee of the Korean Neurotraumatology Society: A Review of a Group That Writes and Inherits the Thoughts and Will of the Society.

The Neurotrauma Clinical Practice Guidelines Committee of the Korean Neurotraumatology Society (KNTS-NCPGC) is developing clinical guidelines for neurotrauma in line with the capabilities of the Korean Neurotraumatology Society, which is leading pioneering development in the field of neurosurgery. From the mid-1990s, the KNTS-NCPGC has been working to develop guidelines and disseminate evidence-based medicine, including the development of Korean guidelines for the management of severe head injuries and active participation in the Clinical Practice Guidelines Committee of the Korean Academy of Medical Sciences. The KNTS-NCPGC strives to write and inherit the will of the society through the development of clinical practice guidelines, which are one of the outcomes representing professionalism and public interest and can be expressed in terms of “trust” and “best.” In this review, the history and achievements of KNTS-NCPGC, the status of the ongoing development of guidelines, and the perspectives of the committee are covered.

Evolution and Impact of the Brain Trauma Foundation Guidelines.

The Brain Trauma Foundation (BTF) Guidelines for the Management of Severe Head Injury were the first clinical practice guidelines published by any surgical specialty. These guidelines have earned a reputation for rigor and have been widely adopted around the world. Implementation of these guidelines has been associated with a 50% reduction in mortality and reduced costs of patient care. Over their 25-yr history the traumatic brain injury (TBI) guidelines have been expanded, refined, and made increasingly more rigorous in conjunction with new clinical evidence and evolving methodologic standards. Here, we discuss the history and accomplishments of BTF guidelines for TBI as well as their limitations. We also discuss planned changes to future TBI guidelines intended to increase their utility and positive impact in an evolving medical landscape. Perhaps the greatest limitation of TBI guidelines now is the lack of high-quality clinical research as well as novel diagnostics and treatments with which to generate substantially new recommendations.

Severe Head Injury Management at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Dhaka City

Background: Severe traumatic brain injury can be a serious condition.
 Objective: The purpose of the present study was to see the decompressive craniectomy (DC) of severe traumatic brain injury.
 Methodology: This clinical trial was conducted in the Department of Neurosurgery at Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh from January 2012 to December 2013 for a period of two (02) years. Patients with the age of 18 years and above, GCS of the patients 8 to 4, severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) with multiple hemorrhagic contusions and midline shift, on CT scan and severe TBI with gradual neurological deterioration were included for this study. Total 60 patients were included.
 Result: A total of 60 patients were included in this study. Almost two third 18 (60.0%) patients had favorable outcome (GOS 4 and 5) in group A and exactly two third 20(66.7%) patients had Unfavorable outcome (GOS 1,2 and 3) in group B (p<0.05). In this study 8 patient died among which 5 had GCS 4 and 3 had GCS 5. One patient with GCS 5 became persistent vegetative. Eight patient with good recovery had GCS 8, 7 and 6. Death occurred at mean GCS 9±2.mm of midline shift followed by 8± mm in persistent vegetative, 5.67±2.08 mm in severe disability, 4.5±2.88 mm in moderate disability and 3.38±1.06 mm in good recovery.
 Conclusion: Group A had better clinical outcome than group B. So based on statistical analysis it can be concluded that DC is preferable to conservative management in case of severe TBI.
 Journal of National Institute of Neurosciences Bangladesh, 2020;6(2): 124-128

Outcome of severe head injury management: A study in a tertiary care hospital

Introduction: Head injury continues to be a great challenge not only for the public but also for the neurosurgeon. India has the distinction of having the highest rate of head injury in the world. In Bangladesh head injury is a headache for the surgeon. Aim of the study: The aim of this study was to assess the several steps and final outcome of severe head injury patient management. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective observational study of severe head injury patients admitted in the Department of Medicine, Sheikh Sayera Khatun Medical College, Gopalgonj, Bangladesh during the period from January 2018 to December 2018. A total of 86 severe head injury patients of all age groups were admitted and treated. In all cases; age, sex, mechanism, severity, other associated injuries, computed tomography (CT) findings, management, and Glasgow outcome scale were analyzed. Results: In this study among 86 participants 67 (78%) were male and 19 (22%) were female. On the other hand, as final outcome we found death was 31.40% (n=27), persistent vegetative state was 3.49% (n=3), severe disability was 5.81% (n=5), moderate disability was 3.49% (n=3) whereas the ‘good recovery’ was 55.81% (n=48). Conclusion: Generally outcome of head injury depends on initial presentation. Early recognition and prompt management contribute to decrease mortality as well as disability of patients. CT-scan facility in district hospitals and upazilla health complexes; early referrals of head injury patients to higher centers and neurosurgical intensive care can decrease the mortality in head injuries.

Role of Early Tracheostomy in the Management of Severe Head Injury

Objective: The objective of this study was to compare the role of early and late tracheostomy in patients presenting with severe head injuries.Material and Methods: This randomized controlled trial study was conducted in the department of neurosurgery, Lahore General Hospital Lahore from March 2018 to August 2018, after taking approval from the ethical committee. A total of one hundred and thirty patients was divided randomly into early (within three days) and late(after three days) tracheostomy groups. After tracheostomy, data regarding acute physiology, age and chronic health evaluation II (APACHE II), the total number of days since ventilation, tracheostomy, weaning, discharge from ICU and hospital, complications and mortality were noted. All the data was entered and analyzed with SPSS23.0. Quantitative variables were presented as mean and standard deviation, qualitative variables were presented as numbers and percentage. The Chi-square test was applied. A p-value of ?0.05 was considered significant.Results: The mean age of the patients was 33.13 ± 2.53 years. There were 84 males (64.61%) and 46 females (35.38%) in the study. The duration of mechanical ventilation, ICU stay and stay in hospital for early and late tracheostomy groups were 25.68 ± 2.94 vs. 33.37 ± 3.32 days, 29.42 ± 2.97 vs. 38.54 ± 3.80 days and 37.20 ± 2.98 vs. 47.15 ± 3.84 days respectively. Four patients (3.08%) and seven patients (5.38%) suffered from mortality.Conclusion: Early tracheostomy among the patients presenting with severe head injuries was associated with a better outcome than late tracheostomy.

Midazolam is effective in controlling intracranial pressure in severe traumatic brain injury

Context: Traumatic brain injuries present a grave public health problem in developing countries. Guidelines suggest that neuromuscular blockade (NMB) should be avoided in severe head injury. Midazolam is an affordable option for sedation when resources are limited. Aims: We proposed to study whether midazolam as a sedative agent in severe head injury achieved adequate control of intracranial pressure (ICP) and reduced the need for NMB. Settings and Design: A prospective observational study was conducted in 96 consecutive patients with severe head injury needing ventilation in the neurosurgical intensive care unit (ICU) of our hospital. Subjects and Methods: A modification of “Guidelines for the management of severe head injury, Brain Trauma Foundation” was used to control ICP in these patients. A ventricular catheter was inserted for ICP monitoring and an ICP

Neurosurgery and Medical Management of Severe Head Injury.

Management of the patient with moderate to severe brain injury in any environment can be time consuming and resource intensive. In the austere or hostile environment, the challenges to deliver care to this patient population are magnified. These guidelines have been developed by acknowledging commonly recognized recommendations for neurosurgical and neuro-critical care patients and augmenting those evaluations and interventions based on the experience of neurosurgeons, trauma surgeons, and intensivists who have delivered care during recent coalition conflicts.

RISK FACTORS OF HIGH INTRACRANIAL PRESSURE AND THE RELATED OUTCOMES IN SUBJECTS WITH SEVERE HEAD INJURY IN SANGLAH GENERAL HOSPITAL DENPASAR

Background: Severe head injury management target is to prevent the secondary brain injury characterized by deterioration in the outcome. High intracranial pressure (ICP) and low cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) could cause unfavourable outcomes which is influenced by many factors, such as hypoxia and haemorrhage lesions pictured on head CT scan. This study analyzes various risk factors that can lead to increased ICP and the influence of high ICP on the outcome.Methods: This study is a prospective cohort, involving 42 consecutive subjects with severe head injury patients from June to October 2016. The subjects underwent examination for blood pressure, blood gas analysis, and head CT scan. ICP monitoring was then performed and the outcome was assessed using the Glasgow Outcome Scale score when the patient was discharged. In this study, risk factors such as hypoxia, hypotension, and subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) were analyzed. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS 27 with a confdence interval of 95%.Result: There were two risk factors that signifcantly influenced the increase of ICP, which were hypotension (RR 0.27; 95CI 0.095-0.775; p<0.001) and hypoxia (RR 0.125; 95CI 0.034-0.457; p<0.001). High ICP value ≥ 20 mmHg was associated with an unfavourable outcome(RR 2.28; 95CI 1.31-3.98; p<0.001).Conclusion: Hypoxia and hypotension were two risk factors that signifcantly influenced the increase of ICP, where high ICP caused the unfavourable outcome.

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.

Organisation of care and initial management of severe head injury in Spain: Results of a national survey

The main objective of the study is to obtain knowledge about the organisation of care for severe head trauma as well as the initial management of these patients in Neurosurgical Departments in Spain. A 22-item questionnaire was designed and sent to 59 Neurosurgical Departments. The aim of the questionnaire was to collect data regarding the general profile of the patients with a severe head injury, the general characteristics of the hospitals, the initial care of these patients, the monitoring techniques used, and the measures used to control Intracranial pressure (ICP). Of the 59 Neurosurgical Departments identified, 29 (49.2%) completed the questionnaire. There was a wide variability in the number of patients treated per year between the different departments. The leadership of care often fell (58.6%) on the intensive care specialist. Many (69%) of the departments did not have a neurosurgeon specially dedicated to the management and monitoring of these patients. The initial care in the Emergency department usually fell (51.7%) on the general medicine practitioner. The availability of computed tomography (CT) was universal. The use of telemedicine was highly variable. ICP monitoring was performed on more than 75% of patients in most (89.7%) of departments, but there was limited use of other monitoring techniques. Most Departments followed the recommendations of the Brain Trauma Foundation (BTF) guidelines for the control of ICP. The organisation of care and the initial management of severe head trauma in Spain is very similar to its neighbouring countries. However, there are shortcomings, such as low participation by a neurosurgeon in the initial management of these patients, insufficient use of telemedicine, and the low implementation of certain brain monitoring techniques (SjO2, PtiO2, and Doppler).

Organisation of care and initial management of severe head injury in Spain: Results of a national survey

ObjectiveThe main objective of the study is to obtain knowledge about the organisation of care for severe head trauma as well as the initial management of these patients in Neurosurgical Departments in Spain. Material and methodA 22-item questionnaire was designed and sent to 59 Neurosurgical Departments. The aim of the questionnaire was to collect data regarding the general profile of the patients with a severe head injury, the general characteristics of the hospitals, the initial care of these patients, the monitoring techniques used, and the measures used to control Intracranial pressure (ICP). ResultsOf the 59 Neurosurgical Departments identified, 29 (49.2%) completed the questionnaire. There was a wide variability in the number of patients treated per year between the different departments. The leadership of care often fell (58.6%) on the intensive care specialist. Many (69%) of the departments did not have a neurosurgeon specially dedicated to the management and monitoring of these patients. The initial care in the Emergency department usually fell (51.7%) on the general medicine practitioner. The availability of computed tomography (CT) was universal. The use of telemedicine was highly variable. ICP monitoring was performed on more than 75% of patients in most (89.7%) of departments, but there was limited use of other monitoring techniques. Most Departments followed the recommendations of the Brain Trauma Foundation (BTF) guidelines for the control of ICP. ConclusionsThe organisation of care and the initial management of severe head trauma in Spain is very similar to its neighbouring countries. However, there are shortcomings, such as low participation by a neurosurgeon in the initial management of these patients, insufficient use of telemedicine, and the low implementation of certain brain monitoring techniques (SjO2, PtiO2, and Doppler).

Nonsurgical Management of Severe Head Injuries.

Nonsurgical Management of Severe Head Injuries.

Guidelines for the management of severe head injury. Part 1. Neurotrauma system and neuroimaging

Traumatic brain injury is one of the main causes of mortality and disability in young and middle-aged individuals. The patients with severe traumatic brain injury who are in coma are the most difficult to deal with. Appropriate diagnosis of the primary brain injuries and early prevention and treatment of secondary damage mechanisms largely determine the possibility of reducing mortality and severe disabling consequences. The authors compiled these guidelines based on their experience in development of international and Russian recommendations on the diagnosis and treatment of mild traumatic brain injury, penetrating gunshot injury of the skull and brain, severe traumatic brain injury, and severe consequences of brain injuries, including a vegetative state. In addition, we used the materials of international and Russian recommendations on the diagnosis, intensive care, and surgical treatment of severe traumatic brain injury published in recent years. The proposed recommendations are related to organization of medical care and diagnosis of severe traumatic brain injury in adults and are primarily addressed to neurosurgeons, neurologists, neuroradiologists, anesthesiologists, and emergency room doctors, who are routinely involved in management of these patients.

A 4-hour target for definitive management of severe head injury: Can speed of treatment be improved with an allocated icu bed? A closed-loop audit

A 4-hour target for definitive management of severe head injury: Can speed of treatment be improved with an allocated icu bed? A closed-loop audit

Mannitol for acute traumatic brain injury.

Mannitol is sometimes effective in reversing acute brain swelling, but its effectiveness in the ongoing management of severe head injury remains unclear. There is evidence that, in prolonged dosage, mannitol may pass from the blood into the brain, where it might cause increased intracranial pressure. To assess the effects of different mannitol therapy regimens, of mannitol compared to other intracranial pressure (ICP) lowering agents, and to quantify the effectiveness of mannitol administration given at other stages following acute traumatic brain injury. We searched the Cochrane Injuries Group Specialised Register, CENTRAL (The Cochrane Library), MEDLINE (OvidSP), EMBASE (OvidSP), ISI Web of Science (SCI-EXPANDED & CPCI-S) and PubMed. We checked reference lists of trials and review articles, and contacted authors of trials. The search was updated on the 20th April 2009. Randomised controlled trials of mannitol, in patients with acute traumatic brain injury of any severity. The comparison group could be placebo-controlled, no drug, different dose, or different drug. We excluded cross-over trials, and trials where the intervention was started more than eight weeks after injury. We independently rated quality of allocation concealment and extracted the data. Relative risks (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated for each trial on an intention to treat basis. We identified four eligible randomised controlled trials. One trial compared ICP-directed therapy to 'standard care' (RR for death = 0.83; 95% CI 0.47 to 1.46). One trial compared mannitol to pentobarbital (RR for death = 0.85; 95% CI 0.52 to 1.38). One trial compared mannitol to hypertonic saline (RR for death = 1.25; 95% CI 0.47 to 3.33). One trial tested the effectiveness of pre-hospital administration of mannitol against placebo (RR for death = 1.75; 95% CI 0.48 to 6.38). Mannitol therapy for raised ICP may have a beneficial effect on mortality when compared to pentobarbital treatment, but may have a detrimental effect on mortality when compared to hypertonic saline. ICP-directed treatment shows a small beneficial effect compared to treatment directed by neurological signs and physiological indicators. There are insufficient data on the effectiveness of pre-hospital administration of mannitol.

Mitigating effects of external ventricular drain usage in the management of severe head injury

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drainage has been variably employed to lower intracranial pressure (ICP) in patients with severe head injury. The efficacy of this manoeuvre remains under-explored (Brain Trauma Foundation Recommendation-optional treatment). This work seeks to report the results of CSF drainage via external ventricular drain (EVD) in severe head injury in comparison to other treatment options. Retrospective observational comparative study of all consecutive patients admitted to a major trauma centre with severe traumatic brain injury over a period of 12months. Out of a total 139 patients, 33 had delayed elevation of ICP despite conventional medical therapy, 16 patients were treated with EVD insertion (4 placed under AxiEM image guidance [Medtronic]) and 17 received either decompressive craniectomy or barbiturate coma. Subsequently, two patients with decompression had further ICP elevation and needed EVD. Two patients with EVD had raised ICP-one underwent decompression and the other was treated with barbiturate coma. One patient with EVD developed infection, which was successfully treated. Patients treated with EVD had a lower risk of needing definitive treatment for ICP control, i.e. decompressive craniectomy or barbiturate coma. EVD was a safe and less invasive procedure, and achieved sustained control of ICP in this patient group.

Mitigating effects of external ventricular drain usage in the management of severe head injury

In this issue of Acta Neurochirurgica, Bhargava et al. [1]report on the efficacy of external ventricular drainage ofcerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for the management of raisedintracranial pressure (ICP) in patients with traumatic braininjury (TBI) refractory to conventional medical manage-ment. In contrast to clinical practice in many centres, in thisstudy CSF drainage via external ventricular drain (EVD)was used as a third-tier therapy rather than as one of thefirst approaches to the management of raised ICP. Only 2out of 16 patients treated in this manner required additionalthird-tier therapies (decompressive craniectomy or barbitu-rates therapy). In patients with raised ICP refractory tomedical management primarily treated by either decompres-sion or barbiturates therapy, two patients also required ad-ditional placement of an EVD. Thus, external CSF drainage,when used as third-tier therapy, would appear to be equallyeffective in controlling raised ICP as barbiturates or adecompressive craniectomy. This would seem to make astrong case for advocating use of a ventricular catheter forICP monitoring and when required external drainage of CSF.Previous reports have likewise provided evidence in sup-port of CSF drainage for controlling ICP. In a relatively smallcohort study on 20 TBI patients, Lescot et al. [2]showedthatcontinuous CSF drainage was effective not only in loweringICP levels but also in decreasing treatment intensity. Shore etal. [3] reported that continuous drainage was more efficientthan intermittent CSF drainage in paediatric TBI.The finding that external ventricular drainage of CSFconstitutes a useful ICP-lowering manoeuvre in patientswith raised ICP refractory to other measures is not new.Timofeev et al. [4] reported similar findings in 2008 andfurther demonstrated significant improvements in cerebralperfusion pressure, brain tissue oxygen and energy metabo-lism as evidenced by lactate/pyruvate ratios observed inmicrodialysis studies.The study by Bhargava et al. [1] now lends furthersupport for CSF drainage in TBI. Nevertheless, thestudy has its limitations and interpretation should bemade with caution. Besides its retrospective nature,and the lack of randomisation, there are two aspectsrelated to this study which are of particular concern.First, the authors focus on 33 patients with TBI andraised ICP, refractory to conventional medical therapy.All these patients had been diagnosed with severe TBIbut only one death is reported in this cohort, whichwould appear to be unbelievably low for a populationof severe TBI with raised ICP. The only possible expla-nations are either that the institution is incredibly goodat treating TBI or that in some way the patient popula-tion is selected. The latter would appear more likely.Secondly, and most importantly, the authors state thatpatients with sustained ICP increases were consideredfor the RESCUEicp trial (www.rescueicp.com). Ascanberead clearly from Fig. 1, patients treated by additional CSFdrainage were excluded from participation in the RESCUEicpstudy. Consequently the local procedures imply a selection inpatientsconsideredforrandomisationintoRESCUEicp.Intro-ducing a selection bias in this way jeopardises the principle ofequipoise underpinning RESCUEicp. Furthermore, this selec-tion illustrates how approaches to ICP monitoring and itstreatment may confound consistent use of enrolment criteria,not only across study centres but even within a single centre.Although the study reported by Bhargava et al. [1]isinteresting and provides evidence in support of CSFdrainage, these two concerns are such that they leaveme with an uncomfortable feeling, as in my opinionthey are illustrative of possible risks and consequencesof selection bias. It is highly likely that selection biasoccurred within the cohort study and local study

Impact of Pre-Hospital Antithrombotic Medication on the Outcome of Chronic and Acute Subdural Hematoma

Antithrombotic medication has proven efficacy in the treatment and prevention of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. A major disadvantage is the increased incidence of cerebral hemorrhages such as subdural hematomas (SDH). The impact of antithrombotic therapy on the outcome of subdural hematoma is not well characterized to date. We retrospectively analyzed patients with subdural hematomas admitted to our hospital between 2005 and 2009. Antithrombotic medication, as well as other risk factors (age, sex, and preexisting diseases) were statistically analyzed in 476 consecutive patients for an independent association with inferior outcome, such as recurrent hematoma or in-hospital death. The patients had been evaluated and treated according to clinical standards for the management of severe head injury and were divided into groups with chronic SDH (cSDH) and acute SDH (aSDH), respectively. Of 312 patients with aSDH, 71 (22.8%) patients had at least one recurrence and 41 (13.1%) patients died in hospital. In the aSDH group, both the recurrence and the mortality were associated with anticoagulant therapy and with platelet aggregation inhibition. In the group of 163 patients with cSDH, 40 (24.5%) patients had a recurrence and 13 (7.9%) patients died within 9 weeks. Neither the application of platelet aggregation inhibitors nor the anticoagulant therapy were associated with recurrence or in-hospital mortality in this group. Our results clearly indicate that prehospital antithrombotic therapy was independently associated with inferior outcome of patients with aSDH, while no association for patients with cSDH was observed.

頭部外傷の急性期治療

The most important factors in determining the outcomes of patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the degree of severity and types of primary brain damage, and the secondary damage to the brain such as low-oxygen and low-blood pressure et al. For severe TBI patients, prompt and appropriate decompression to reduce intracranial pressure (ICP) and ICU management are commonly required. The second edition of "Guidelines for the Management of Severe Head Injury" was published by the Japan Society of Neurotraumatology (JSNT) in 2006. These guidelines include a wide range of topics in the management for severe TBI, from prehospital care, primary care, ICU management and surgical treatment. The essence of extended decompression and neuroprotection for TBI is also focused in the JNST Guidelines. The pathophysiological event in the acute stage of severe TBI is quite variable ; therefore, an appropriate individual based approach in ICU management is necessary under experienced medical teams.