EFNS guideline on mild traumatic brain injury: report of an EFNS task force

Role of Neuroprotein S-100B in the Diagnostic of Pediatric Mild Brain Injury

Traumatic brain injury is one of the leading causes of death and disability in children and adolescents. Patients with moderate or severe lesions can be readily recognized clinically, require immediate radiologic diagnostics by computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), admission to intensive care units, and, in some cases, will go on to require neurosurgical intervention. Patients with mild traumatic brain injuries (MTBIs) are diagnostically challenging. Often, the event is unobserved and head injury can only be suspected. Clinical symptoms are unreliable and clinical findings from neurological examination have to be interpreted with care. As a small percentage of MTBI patients progress to have a life-threatening intracranial hemorrhage, the recognition of this group of patients and their judicious and timely management is, therefore, an important goal. Subjecting every MTBI patient to a cranial CT scanning results in high costs and unnecessary exposure to ionizing radiation. Admitting all MTBI patients for observation and performing CTs only in case of clinical deterioration is costly and a substantial drain on resources, not to mention the radiation exposure and a source of stress for the majority of patients. Current European guidelines for diagnostics and therapy in MTBI patients are only partially applicable to the pediatric population. This article reviews the clinical problem, treatment options and guidelines, as well as diagnostic tools, with special focus on neuroprotein S-100B in pediatric and adolescent patients with MTBIs.

Outcome prediction in mild traumatic brain injury: age and clinical variables are stronger predictors than CT abnormalities

Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) is a common heterogeneous neurological disorder with a wide range of possible clinical outcomes. Accurate prediction of outcome is desirable for optimal treatment. This study aimed both to identify the demographic, clinical, and computed tomographic (CT) characteristics associated with unfavorable outcome at 6 months after mTBI, and to design a prediction model for application in daily practice. All consecutive mTBI patients (Glasgow Coma Scale [GCS] score: 13-15) admitted to our hospital who were age 16 or older were included during an 8-year period as part of the prospective Radboud University Brain Injury Cohort Study (RUBICS). Outcome was assessed at 6 months post-trauma using the Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended (GOSE), dichotomized into unfavorable (GOSE score 1-6) and favorable (GOSE score 7-8) outcome groups. The predictive value of several variables was determined using multivariate binary logistic regression analysis. We included 2784 mTBI patients and found CT abnormalities in 20.7% of the 1999 patients that underwent a head CT. Age, extracranial injuries, and day-of-injury alcohol intoxication proved to be the strongest outcome predictors. The presence of facial fractures and the number of hemorrhagic contusions emerged as CT predictors. Furthermore, we showed that the predictive value of a scheme based on a modified Injury Severity Score (ISS), alcohol intoxication, and age equalled the value of one that also included CT characteristics. In fact, it exceeded one that was based on CT characteristics alone. We conclude that, although valuable for the identification of the individual mTBI patient at risk for deterioration and eventual neurosurgical intervention, CT characteristics are imperfect predictors of outcome after mTBI.

Transcriptomics of traumatic brain injury: gene expression and molecular pathways of different grades of insult in a rat organotypic hippocampal culture model

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the one of the most common forms of head trauma, and it remains a leading cause of death and disability. It is known that the initial mechanical axonal injury triggers a complex cascade of neuroinflammatory and metabolic events, the understanding of which is essential for clinical, translational, and pharmacological research. These can occur even in mild TBI, and are associated with several post-concussion manifestations, including transiently heightened vulnerability to a second insult. Recent studies have challenged the tenet that ischemia is the ultimate modality of tissue damage following TBI, as metabolic dysfunction can develop in the presence of normal perfusion and before intracranial hypertension. In order to elucidate the cellular and molecular changes occurring in TBI as a direct result of neuronal injury and in the absence of ischemic damage, we performed a microarray analysis of expressed genes and molecular interaction pathways for different levels of severity of trauma using an in-vitro model. A stretch injury, equivalent to human diffuse axonal injury, was delivered to rat organotypic hippocampal slice cultures, and mRNA levels following a 10% (mild) and 50% (severe) stretch were compared with controls at 24 h. More genes were differentially expressed following 10% stretch than 50% stretch, indicating the early activation of complex cellular mechanisms. The data revealed remarkable differential gene expression following mTBI, even in the absence of cell damage. Pathway analysis revealed that molecular interactions in both levels of injury were similar, with IL-1beta playing a central role. Additional pathways of neurodegeneration involving RhoA (ras homolog gene family, member A) were found in 50% stretch.

Should anterior pituitary function be tested during follow-up of all patients presenting at the emergency department because of traumatic brain injury?

CONTEXT

A wide range (15-56%) of prevalences of anterior pituitary insufficiency are reported in patients after traumatic brain injury (TBI). However, different study populations, study designs, and diagnostic procedures were used. No data are available on emergency-department-based cohorts of TBI patients.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the prevalence of pituitary dysfunction in an emergency-department-based cohort of TBI patients using strict endocrinological diagnostic criteria.

METHODS

Of all the patients presenting in the emergency department with TBI over a 2-year period, 516 matched the inclusion criteria. One hundred and seven patients (77 with mild TBI and 30 with moderate/severe TBI) agreed to participate. They were screened for anterior pituitary insufficiency by GHRH-arginine testing, evaluation of fasting morning hormone levels (cortisol, TSH, free thyroxine, FSH, LH, and 17beta-estradiol or testosterone), and menstrual history 3-30 months after TBI. Abnormal screening results were defined as low peak GH to GHRH-arginine, or low levels of any of the end-organ hormones with low or normal pituitary hormone levels. Patients with abnormal screening results were extensively evaluated, including additional hormone provocation tests (insulin tolerance test, ACTH stimulation test, and repeated GHRH-arginine test) and assessment of free testosterone levels.

RESULTS

Screening results were abnormal in 15 of 107 patients. In a subsequent extensive endocrine evaluation, anterior pituitary dysfunction was diagnosed in only one patient (partial hypocortisolism).

CONCLUSION

By applying strict diagnostic criteria to an emergency-department-based cohort of TBI patients, it was shown that anterior pituitary dysfunction is rare (<1%). Routine pituitary screening in unselected patients after TBI is unlikely to be cost-effective.

The rapid screen of concussion: An evaluation of the non-word repetition test for use in mTBI research

PRIMARY OBJECTIVES

(1) To investigate the Nonword Repetition test (NWR) as an index of sub-vocal rehearsal deficits after mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI); (2) to assess the reliability, validity and sensitivity of the NWR; and (3) to compare the NWR to more sensitive tests of verbal memory.

RESEARCH DESIGN

An independent groups design.

METHODS AND PROCEDURES

Study 1 administered the NWR to 46 mTBI and 61 uninjured controls with the Rapid Screen of Concussion (RSC). Study 2 compared mTBI, orthopaedic and uninjured participants on the NWR and the Hopkins Verbal Learning Test (HVLT-R).

MAIN OUTCOMES AND RESULTS

The NWR did not improve the diagnostic accuracy of the RSC. However, it is reliable and indexes sub-vocal rehearsal speed. These findings provide evidence that although the current form of the NWR lacks sensitivity to the impact of mTBI, the development of a more sensitive test of sub-vocal rehearsal deficits following mTBI is warranted.

Cognitive performance after Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: The impact of poor effort on test results and its relation to distress, personality and litigation

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE

To compare consecutive Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (MTBI) patients with and without adequate effort on cognitive performance, litigation status, fatigue, distress and personality.

RESEARCH DESIGN

(Neuro)psychological assessment was done 6 months post-injury in 110 patients from a cohort of 618 consecutive MTBI patients aged 18-60, who attended the emergency department of our level I trauma centre. Effort was tested with the Amsterdam Short Term Memory test.

MAIN OUTCOME AND RESULTS

Thirty patients (27%) failed the effort test. Poor effort was associated with significantly poorer scores on seven out of eleven measures, covering all tested domains. Poor effort was associated with lower educational level and changes in work status, but not litigation. Furthermore, poor effort was related to high levels of distress, Type-D personality and fatigue.

CONCLUSIONS

Even in a sample of non-referred MTBI patients, poor effort was common and was strongly associated with inferior test performance. These findings imply that effort testing should be part of all cognitive assessments, also outside mediolegal settings. Behavioural factors like distress and personality should be considered as potential threats to the validity of neuropsychological testing after MTBI.

Traumatic brain injury among Australian prisoners: Rates, recurrence and sequelae

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE

To establish the prevalence, severity, recurrence and sequelae of past traumatic brain injury (TBI) among individuals recently received into custody.

RESEARCH DESIGN

Cross-sectional random sample of men recently received into the New South Wales' (NSW) criminal justice system.

PROCEDURES

Participants were screened for a history of TBI including the injury setting, severity, treatment and sequelae of up to five separate TBI episodes.

OUTCOMES AND RESULTS

Of 200 study participants, 82% endorsed a history of at least one TBI of any severity and 65% a history of TBI with a loss of consciousness (LOC). Multiple past TBIs were common, as were ongoing sequelae. Treatment for the TBI was more common among those TBIs with a LOC compared with no LOC (66% vs. 39%).

CONCLUSIONS

Among individuals entering the criminal justice system, past TBI is common and often associated with ongoing neuropsychiatric and social sequelae. Screening for TBI at the point of reception may be warranted to better understand and treat those with ongoing neuropsychiatric sequelae arising from the TBI.

Unusually rapid and severe cognitive deterioration after mild traumatic brain injury

A 56-year-old man (AB) presented with dramatic cognitive deterioration following a mild traumatic brain injury. There was no indication of severe brain injury or significant anoxic encephalopathy. Detailed history indicated no significant pre-morbid cognitive deficits. His pre-injury psychosocial and occupational functioning was intact. Cognition functioning was impaired immediately post-injury and remained impaired. Neuropsychological examination at 8 months post-injury showed severe cognitive deficits. The cognitive profile was consistent with Alzheimer's disease. MRI at 1-year post-injury showed minor ischaemic changes not consistent with hypoxic injury and insufficient to explain his cognitive problems. Early SPECT was consistent with a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease and a repeat SPECT showed a significant deterioration in an Alzheimer pattern. AB was seen for detailed serial neuropsychological examination over a 3-year period, which revealed clear evidence of cognitive deterioration consistent with Alzheimer's disease. AB is presented as an unusual case of rapid progressive AD following a mild head injury.

Serum S100B protein in early management of patients after mild traumatic brain injury

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Neuronal protein S100B assays are available now with a perspective of being an early screening tool for serious intracranial injury. The aim of the study was to correlate early S100B measurements and initial CCT findings in the patients sustaining mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI).

METHODS

The prospective study included patients of all ages with a history of MTBI. CCT scans and venous blood sampling for S100B analysis were performed within 6 h after injury. Levels of S100B above 0.1 ng/ml (S100B+) and any CCT detectable trauma-relevant intracranial lesions were considered positive (CCT+).

RESULTS

A series of 102 patients were involved in the study. CCT+ scans were present in eighteen (17.6%) and CCT- scans in 84 (82.4%) patients. There were 74 (72.5%) patients in S100B+ and 28 (27.5%) in S100B- group. Sensitivity of S100B assay attained 83.3% with a negative predictive value of 89.3%. Three patients from CCT+ group had negative plasma level of S100B. Two of them required surgical treatment.

DISCUSSION

S100B serum protein marker seems to be an unrealiable screening tool for determination of an intracranial injury risk group due to low sensitivity and negative predictive value seen from samples taken greater than 3 h after an MTBI.

Regional variability in the use of CT for patients with suspected mild traumatic brain injury

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the use of computed tomography (CT) scans in patients with suspected acute mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) presenting to emergency departments.

METHOD

850 potential mTBI cases were identified through reviews of three months of health records from nine selected emergency departments across the province of Ontario. Records for review were selected using the International Classification of Disease, 9th revision, Clinical Modification codes and Injury codes.

RESULTS

Patients who received head CT were significantly older (p<0.01), had documented loss-of-consciousness (LOC) &/or Post-Traumatic Amnesia (PTA) (p<0.001), documented nausea (p<0.01), documented vomiting (p<0.001), abnormal neurological exam results (p<0.01), had visited an urban center (p<0.001), and/or arrived by ambulance (p<0.001). The significant predictors of CT scan prescription (in a forward stepwise logistic regression) were urban location of hospital (OR=5.14; p<0.001), LOC &/or PTA (OR=4.83; p< or =0.001), vomiting (OR=2.56; p< or =0.01), arrival by ambulance (OR=2.15; p< or =0.001), nausea (OR=1.92; p< or =0.02) and older age (OR=1.02; p< or =0.01).

CONCLUSION

These data extend our knowledge regarding the use of CT during acute diagnosis and management of suspected mTBI patients. In addition to confirming previously reported risk factors of intracranial complication, geographical location of hospital and arrival mode were found to be significant predictors of CT use. The results suggest that the management patterns for acute mTBI are inconsistent. The implications of this are discussed.

Moderate and severe traumatic brain injury in adults

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major health and socioeconomic problem that affects all societies. In recent years, patterns of injury have been changing, with more injuries, particularly contusions, occurring in older patients. Blast injuries have been identified as a novel entity with specific characteristics. Traditional approaches to the classification of clinical severity are the subject of debate owing to the widespread policy of early sedation and ventilation in more severely injured patients, and are being supplemented with structural and functional neuroimaging. Basic science research has greatly advanced our knowledge of the mechanisms involved in secondary damage, creating opportunities for medical intervention and targeted therapies; however, translating this research into patient benefit remains a challenge. Clinical management has become much more structured and evidence based since the publication of guidelines covering many aspects of care. In this Review, we summarise new developments and current knowledge and controversies, focusing on moderate and severe TBI in adults. Suggestions are provided for the way forward, with an emphasis on epidemiological monitoring, trauma organisation, and approaches to management.

Risk of dementia associated with the ApoE epsilon4 allele and falls causing head injury without explicit traumatic brain injury

OBJECTIVES

Severe head injury (HI) and the apolipoprotein E (ApoE) epsilon4 allele are risk factors for dementia. The corresponding effect of falls causing HI without explicit traumatic brain injury (TBI) in association with the ApoE epsilon4 is not known.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Altogether 134 persons aged 70 years or older constituted a retrospective population sample, who scored > or =26 in the MiniMental State Examination (MMSE) test at baseline and were clinically examined for dementia 9 years afterward. Fall-related HI causing superficial laceration or bruises or wounds that require suturing were prospectively recorded during the 9-year follow-up. We used Cox regression with age at the diagnosis of dementia as a dependent variable.

RESULTS

Twenty-eight (21%) subjects had falls causing HI without explicit TBI, the ApoE epsilon4 allele was seen in 44 (33%), and clinical dementia was diagnosed in 25 (19%). Adjusted for the baseline MMSE score, sex and educational status, the hazard ratio for subsequent dementia in subjects having falls with HI without explicit TBI and the ApoE epsilon4 allele as compared with those who do not possess these characteristics was 2.70 (95% confidence interval, 1.02-7.16).

CONCLUSIONS

According to the results of this small retrospective study, falls with HI without explicit TBI in connection with the ApoE epsilon4 allele is associated with subsequent dementia among older adults.

Neuropsychology and clinical neuroscience of persistent post-concussive syndrome

On the mild end of the acquired brain injury spectrum, the terms concussion and mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) have been used interchangeably, where persistent post-concussive syndrome (PPCS) has been a label given when symptoms persist for more than three months post-concussion. Whereas a brief history of concussion research is overviewed, the focus of this review is on the current status of PPCS as a clinical entity from the perspective of recent advances in the biomechanical modeling of concussion in human and animal studies, particularly directed at a better understanding of the neuropathology associated with concussion. These studies implicate common regions of injury, including the upper brainstem, base of the frontal lobe, hypothalamic-pituitary axis, medial temporal lobe, fornix, and corpus callosum. Limitations of current neuropsychological techniques for the clinical assessment of memory and executive function are explored and recommendations for improved research designs offered, that may enhance the study of long-term neuropsychological sequelae of concussion.

Outcome after complicated minor head injury

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Functional outcome in patients with minor head injury with neurocranial traumatic findings on CT is largely unknown. We hypothesized that certain CT findings may be predictive of poor functional outcome.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

All patients from the CT in Head Injury Patients (CHIP) study with neurocranial traumatic CT findings were included. The CHIP study is a prospective, multicenter study of consecutive patients, > or =16 years of age, presenting within 24 hours of blunt head injury, with a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of 13-14 or a GCS score of 15 and a risk factor. Primary outcome was functional outcome according to the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS). Other outcome measures were the modified Rankin Scale (mRS), the Barthel Index (BI), and number and severity of postconcussive symptoms. The association between CT findings and outcome was assessed by using univariable and multivariable regression analysis.

RESULTS

GOS was assessed in 237/312 patients (76%) at an average of 15 months after injury. There was full recovery in 150 patients (63%), moderate disability in 70 (30%), severe disability in 7 (3.0%), and death in 10 (4.2%). Outcome according to the mRS and BI was also favorable in most patients, but 82% of patients had postconcussive symptoms. Evidence of parenchymal damage was the only independent predictor of poor functional outcome (odds ratio = 1.89, P = .022).

CONCLUSION

Patients with neurocranial complications after minor head injury generally make a good functional recovery, but postconcussive symptoms may persist. Evidence of parenchymal damage on CT was predictive of poor functional outcome.

A history of loss of consciousness or post-traumatic amnesia in minor head injury: "conditio sine qua non" or one of the risk factors?

OBJECTIVE

A history of loss of consciousness (LOC) or post-traumatic amnesia (PTA) is commonly considered a prerequisite for minor head injury (MHI), although neurocranial complications also occur when LOC/PTA are absent, particularly in the presence of other risk factors. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether known risk factors for complications after MHI in the absence of LOC/PTA have the same predictive value as when LOC/PTA are present.

METHODS

A prospective multicentre study was performed in four university hospitals between February 2002 and August 2004 of consecutive blunt head injury patients (> or = 16 years) presenting with a normal level of consciousness and a risk factor. Outcome measures were any neurocranial traumatic CT finding and neurosurgical intervention. Common odds ratios (OR) were estimated for each of the risk factors and tested for homogeneity.

RESULTS

2462 patients were included: 1708 with and 754 without LOC/PTA. Neurocranial traumatic findings on CT were present in 7.5% and were more common when LOC/PTA was present (8.7%). Neurosurgical intervention was required in 0.4%, irrespective of the presence of LOC/PTA. ORs were comparable across the two subgroups (p>0.05), except for clinical evidence of a skull fracture, with high ORs both when LOC/PTA was present (OR = 37, 95% CI 17 to 80) or absent (OR = 6.9, 95% CI 1.8 to 27). LOC and PTA had significant ORs of 1.9 (95% CI 1.0 to 2.7) and 1.7 (95% CI 1.3 to 2.3), respectively.

CONCLUSION

Known risk factors have comparable ORs in MHI patients with or without LOC or PTA. MHI patients without LOC or PTA need to be explicitly considered in clinical guidelines.

Cognitive complaints after mild traumatic brain injury: things are not always what they seem

OBJECTIVE

To compare nonreferred, emergency department (ED)-admitted mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI) patients with and without self-reported cognitive complaints on (1) demographic variables and injury characteristics; (2) neuropsychological test performance; (3) 12-day self-monitoring of perceived cognitive problems; and (4) emotional distress, physical functioning, and personality.

METHODS

(Neuro)psychological assessment was carried out 6 months post-injury in 79 patients out of a cohort of 618 consecutive MTBI patients aged 18-60, who attended the ED of our level I trauma centre. Cognitive complaints were assessed with the Rivermead Postconcussional Symptoms Questionnaire (RPSQ). In addition, patients monitored concentration problems and forgetfulness during 12 consecutive days.

RESULTS

Self-reported cognitive complaints were reported by 39% of the patients. These complaints were strongly related to lower educational levels, emotional distress, personality, and poorer physical functioning (especially fatigue) but not to injury characteristics. Severity of self-reported cognitive complaints was neither associated with the patients' daily observations of cognitive problems nor with outcome on a range of neuropsychological tests.

CONCLUSION

Self-reported cognitive complaints were more strongly related to premorbid traits and physical and emotional state factors than to actual cognitive impairments. In line with previous work, this suggests that treatment of emotional distress and fatigue may also reduce cognitive complaints. Cognitive outcome assessment of symptomatic MTBI patients should not be restricted to checklist ratings only, but also include a (neuro)psychological screening. In addition, daily monitoring of complaints is a useful method to gather information about the frequency and pattern of cognitive problems in daily life.

Minor head injury: guidelines for the use of CT--a multicenter validation study

PURPOSE

To prospectively and externally validate published national and international guidelines for the indications of computed tomography (CT) in patients with a minor head injury.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study protocol was institutional review board approved. All patients implicitly consented to use of their deidentified data for research purposes. Between February 2002 and August 2004, data were collected in consecutive adult patients with blunt minor head injury (Glasgow Coma Scale score of 13-14 or 15) and a risk factor for neurocranial traumatic complications at presentation at four Dutch university hospitals. Primary outcome was any neurocranial traumatic CT finding. Secondary outcomes were clinically relevant traumatic CT findings and neurosurgical intervention. Sensitivity and specificity of each guideline for all outcomes and the number of patients needed to scan to detect one outcome (ie, the number of patients needed to undergo CT to find one patient with a neurocranial traumatic CT finding, a clinically relevant traumatic CT finding, or a CT finding that required neurosurgical intervention) were estimated.

RESULTS

Data were available for 3181 patients. Only the European Federation of Neurological Societies guidelines reached a sensitivity of 100% for all outcomes. Specificity was 0.0%-0.5%. The Dutch guidelines had the lowest sensitivity (76.5%) for neurosurgical interventions. The best specificities for traumatic CT findings and neurosurgical interventions were reached with the criteria proposed by the United Kingdom National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) (46.1% and 43.6%, respectively), albeit at relatively low sensitivities (82.1% and 94.1%, respectively). The number of patients needed to scan ranged from six to 13 for traumatic CT findings and from 79 to 193 for neurosurgical interventions.

CONCLUSION

All validated guidelines demonstrated a trade-off between sensitivity and specificity. The lowest number of patients needed to scan for either of the outcomes was reached with the NICE criteria.

SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL

radiology.rsnajnls.org/cgi/content/full/2452061509/DC1 (c) RSNA, 2007.

Indications for computed tomography in patients with mild head injury

The factors affecting outcome were analyzed in 1,064 patients, 621 males and 443 females aged 10 to 104 years (mean 46 +/- 23 years), with mild head injury (Glasgow Coma Scale [GCS] score > or =14) but no neurological signs presenting within 6 hours after injury. Intracranial lesion was found in 4.7% (50/1,064), and 0.66% (7/1,064) required surgical treatment. The Japan Coma Scale (JCS) and GCS assessments were well correlated (r = 0.797). Multivariate analysis revealed significant correlations between computed tomography (CT) abnormality and age > or =60 years, male sex, JCS score > or =1, alcohol consumption, headache, nausea/vomiting, and transient loss of consciousness (LOC)/amnesia. Univariate analysis revealed that pedestrian in a motor vehicle accident, falling from height, and mechanisms of injuries except blows were correlated to intracranial injury. No significant correlations were found between craniofacial soft tissue injury and intracranial injury. Patients with occipital impact, nonfrontal impact, or skull fracture were more likely have intracranial lesions. Bleeding tendency was not correlated with CT abnormality. The following indications were proposed for CT: JCS score >0, presence of accessory symptoms (headache, nausea/vomiting, LOC/amnesia), and age > or =60 years. These criteria would reduce the frequency of CT by 29% (309/1,064). Applying these indications to subsequent patients with GCS scores 14-15, 114 of 168 patients required CT, and intracranial lesions were found in 13. Two refused CT. Fifty-four of the 168 patients did not need CT according to the indications, but 38 of the 54 patients actually underwent CT because of social reasons (n = 21) or patient request (n = 17). These indications for CT including JCS may be useful in the management of patients with mild head injury.

Management of pediatric mild traumatic brain injury: a neuropsychological review from injury through recovery

Little scientific attention has been aimed at the non-acute clinical care of pediatric mild TBI. We propose a clinical management model focused on both evaluation and intervention from the time of injury through recovery. Intervention strategies are outlined using a framework encompassing four relevant domains: the individual youth, family, school, and athletics. Clinical management has primary value in its potential to speed recovery, minimize distress during the recovery process, and reduce the number of individuals who subjectively experience longer lasting postconcussive problems. With proper management, most children and adolescents sustaining an uncomplicated mild TBI can be expected to recover fully.

New Rat Model for Diffuse Brain Injury Using Coronal Plane Angular Acceleration

A new experimental model was developed to induce diffuse brain injury (DBI) in rats through pure coronal plane angular acceleration. An impactor was propelled down a guide tube toward the lateral extension of the helmet fixture. Upon impactor-helmet contact, helmet and head were constrained to rotate in the coronal plane. In the present experimental series, the model was optimized to generate rotational kinematics necessary for concussion. Twenty-six rats were subjected to peak angular accelerations of 368 +/- 30 krad/sec2 (mean +/- standard deviation) with 2.1 +/- 0.5-msec durations. Following rotational loading, unconsciousness was defined as time between reversal agent administration and return of corneal reflex. All experimental rats demonstrated transient unconsciousness lasting 8.8 +/- 3.7 min that was significantly longer than control rats. Macroscopic damage was noted in 51% of experimental animals: 38% subarachnoid hemorrhage, and 15% intraparenchymal lesion. Microscopic analysis indicated no evidence of axonal swellings at sacrifice times of 24, 48, 72, and 96 h. All rats survived rotational loading without skull fracture. Injuries were classified as concussion based on transient unconsciousness, scaled biomechanics, limited macroscopic damage, and minimal histological abnormalities. The experimental methodology remains adjustable, permitting investigation of increasing DBI severities through modulation of model parameters, and inclusion of further functional and histological outcome measures.

A proposal for an evidenced-based emergency department discharge form for mild traumatic brain injury

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE

To examine and compare a sample of head injury care instruction forms available in hospital emergency departments (EDs) against evidence-based factors predictive of haemorrhage or traumatic lesions and to propose an easy-to-understand discharge instruction form for patients with concussion or mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI).

RESEARCH DESIGN/METHODS

Fifteen hospital discharge instruction forms were reviewed for inclusion of six factors known to be associated with the presence of haemorrhage after MTBI. ED instruction forms were also evaluated for readability.

RESULTS

The 15 hospital ED instruction forms varied in what patients' caretakers were instructed to observe. Some but not all important factors associated with haemorrhage were included. The mean Flesch-Kincaid reading grade level of the discharge instruction forms was 8.2 with a mean Reading Ease score of 59.9%.

CONCLUSION

EDs use discharge instruction forms listing signs and symptoms that are highly variable, confusing, not all evidence-based and often not easy to understand. This review proposes a discharge instruction form containing the six best evidence-based variables (according to the current literature) as being useful and understandable to patients and their families for home observation after MTBI.

S100B serum level predicts computed tomography findings after minor head injury

BACKGROUND

Mild head injury (MHI) implies a risk for traumatic brain injury and even a small risk for development of an intracranial hematoma. Head computed tomography (CT) is recommended for early detection of such pathologic findings. The present multicenter study was performed to investigate whether determination of protein S100B in serum could contribute to the selection of patients for CT scanning.

METHODS

We included 226 patients with a history of head injury and a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of 13 to 15 at admission to hospital. Blood samples for S100B analysis and head CT were obtained within 12 hours after the injury. The diagnostic properties of S100B measurements for prediction of intracranial injury revealed by CT were tested with receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis and cross-table analysis at different cut-off levels. We also included analysis of S100B levels normalized to correspond to blood sampling 1 hour after the injury.

RESULTS

CT showed intracranial injury in 21 (9.3%) patients. S100B levels were significantly (p < 0.001) elevated in patients with intracranial injury (mean, 0.36; 95% CI, 0.21-0.50 microg/L) compared with those in patients without intracranial injury (mean, 0.18; 95% CI, 0.16-0.20 microg/L). ROC curve analysis showed a significant (p = 0.001) area under the curve (0.73; 95% CI, 0.62-0.84). Cross-table analysis showed that 20 of 21 (sensitivity 0.95) patients with intracranial injury were detected at a cut-off level of 0.10 microg/L, but 141 of 205 (specificity 0.31) patients with no such injury also had a S100B level above this limit. Exclusion of cases with blood samples collected more than 3 hours after injury or normalization did not improve the diagnostic properties.

CONCLUSION

Determination of serum S100B cannot replace the clinical examination or use of CT for patients with minor head injury, but adding S100B measurement to the clinical evaluation might support selection of patients for CT scanning.

Traumatic brain injury: assessment, resuscitation and early management

This review examines the evidence base for the early management of head-injured patients. Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is common, carries a high morbidity and mortality, and has no specific treatment. The pathology of head injury is increasingly well understood. Mechanical forces result in shearing and compression of neuronal and vascular tissue at the time of impact. A series of pathological events may then ensue leading to further brain injury. This secondary injury may be amenable to intervention and is worsened by secondary physiological insults. Various risk factors for poor outcome after TBI have been identified. Most of these are fixed at the time of injury such as age, gender, mechanism of injury, and presenting signs (Glasgow Coma Scale and pupillary signs), but some such as hypotension and hypoxia are potential areas for medical intervention. There is very little evidence positively in favour of any treatments or packages of early care; however, prompt, specialist neurocritical care is associated with improved outcome. Various drugs that target specific pathways in the pathophysiology of brain injury have been the subject of animal and human research, but, to date, none has been proved to be successful in improving outcome.

The association between the postconcussion symptoms and clinical outcomes for patients with mild traumatic brain injury

BACKGROUND

Postconcussion symptoms (PCS) (such as dizziness, headache, irritability, fatigue, and impaired memory) are common in patients who sustain a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). However, few studies have systematically investigated the association between PCS and clinical outcomes in mTBI patients. Therefore, the present study attempted to examine PCS during the disease course and to determine whether PCS adversely affect outcome.

METHODS

This was a prospective, cohort and controlled study of 115 mTBI patients. The PCS checklist was used to identify PCS and the Glasgow Outcome Scale and the Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended were used to investigate clinical outcomes. All patients were evaluated four times: at 1 week, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks after the injury.

RESULTS

Physical symptoms such as dizziness and headache were prominent in the early after injury stage (1 and 2 weeks). On the other hand, the psychosocial symptoms, such as depression and irritability, were significant at the late after injury stage (4 and 8 weeks). Dizziness adversely affected clinical outcome at both the early and late stages of the disease, whereas the impact of intracranial lesions and depression on outcome was greatest early and late, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The results show that PCS during the disease course and the relationship between PCS and clinical outcome can be systematically evaluated. In fact, different postconcussion symptom domains should be monitored while the disease is progressing.

The impacts and outcomes of implementing head injury guidelines: clinical experience in Thailand

OBJECTIVE

To describe the impact of implementing clinical practice guidelines (CPG) for head injury in a trauma referral system in Songkla province, Thailand.

METHODS

The CPG was developed by a local multidisciplinary team and implemented using multi-faceted methods. The outcome of patients with head injury from three community hospitals and a university hospital (Songklanagarind Hospital) was reported in terms of "talk and deteriorate" patients and a "poor" outcome for patients with severe head injury. Changes to clinical practice were observed where the guidelines were implemented.

RESULTS

1000 patients with head injury were enrolled from 1st August 2005 to 15th January 2006. The incidence of "talk and deteriorate" patients was 10.5% and a poor outcome was noted in 35.5% of patients with severe head injury, similar to the results of a previous study in Songklanagarind Hospital (p>0.05). Following implementation of the guidelines, 19.8% of patients underwent CT scanning with similar outcomes for alert patients with and without basal skull fracture (p>0.05). The clinician-nurse relationship also improved and there was closer collaboration between hospitals. Short observation in community hospitals for repeat neurological examination may be an appropriate strategy for management of some patients with minor head injury.

CONCLUSIONS

Local ownership, an appropriate implementation strategy and working as a multidisciplinary team are key factors for success in implementing the CPG. Basal skull fracture may not be an absolute criterion for CT imaging of the head. Further initiatives will be developed in response to the incidence of "talk and deteriorate" patients.

Impact of Additional Extracranial Injuries on Outcome after Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

Many patients with mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI) concurrently sustain extracranial injuries; however, little is known about the impact of these additional injuries on outcome. We assessed the impact of additional injuries on the severity of postconcussional symptoms (PCS) and functional outcome 6 months post-injury. A questionnaire (including the Rivermead Post-Concussion Questionnaire and SF-36) was sent to consecutive MTBI patients (hospital admission Glasgow Coma Score 13-15; age range 18-60 years) admitted to the emergency department of a level-I trauma center, and, to serve as a baseline for PCS, a control group of minor-injury patients (ankle or wrist distortion). Of the 299 MTBI respondents (response rate 52%), 89 had suffered additional injuries (mean Injury Severity Score [ISS] of 14.5 +/- 7.4). After 6 months, 44% of the patients with additional injuries were still in some form of treatment, compared to 14% of patients with isolated MTBI and 5% of the controls. Compared to patients with isolated injury, MTBI patients with additional injuries had resumed work less frequently and reported more limitations in physical functioning. Overall, they did not report higher levels of PCS, despite somewhat more severe head injury. Regardless of the presence of additional injuries, patients that were still in treatment reported significantly more severe PCS, with highest rates in patients with isolated MTBI. In conclusion, many patients with additional extracranial injuries are still in the process of recovery at 6 months after injury. However, despite more severe impact to the head and inferior functional outcomes, these patients do not report more severe PCS.

Indications for CT Scanning in Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: A Cost-Effectiveness Study

BACKGROUND

There is considerable uncertainty about the indications for cranial computed tomography (CT) scanning in patient with minor traumatic brain injury (TBI). This analysis involves an evidence-based comparison of several strategies for selecting patients for CT with regard to effectiveness and cost.

METHODS

We performed a structured literature review of mild traumatic brain injury and constructed a cost-effectiveness model. The model estimated the impact of missed intracranial lesions on longevity, quality of life and costs. Using a 20-year-old patient for primary analysis, we compared the following strategies to screen for the need to perform a CT scan: observation in the emergency department or hospital floor, skull radiography, Selective CT based on the presence of additional risk factors and scanning all.

RESULTS

Outcome measures for each strategy included average years of life, quality of life and costs. Selective CT and the CT All policy performed significantly better than the alternatives with respect to outcome. They were also less expensive in terms of total direct health care costs, although the differences did not reach statistical significance. The model yielded similar, but smaller, differences between the selective imaging and other strategies when run for older patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the incidence of intracranial lesions, especially those that require surgery, is low in mild TBI, the consequences of delayed diagnosis are forbidding. Adverse outcome of an intracranial hematoma is so costly that it more than balances the expense of CT scans. In our cost-effectiveness model, the liberal use of CT scanning in mild TBI appears justified.

Delayed posttraumatic acute subdural hematoma in elderly patients on anticoagulation

OBJECTIVE

To discuss delayed acute subdural hematoma (DASH), a relatively neglected entity, and to emphasize the potentially elevated risk for DASH among elderly, anticoagulated mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients.

METHODS

The authors reviewed clinical and radiological data for four patients who had normal neurological examinations and normal computed tomographic scans after mild TBI, and who subsequently developed DASH and deteriorated rapidly.

RESULTS

The patients included two men and two women, aged 65 to 86 years, who presented to the emergency department after mild TBI between January 2002 and June 2004. All were treated with chronic anticoagulation or anti-aggregation therapy. They deteriorated owing to DASH from 9 hours to 3 days after TBI. Three of the four patients underwent craniotomy for evacuation of their hematomas. One patient, who suffered only focal neurological deficit, was treated conservatively, and her hematoma gradually resolved. Two patients died and two reached Glasgow Outcome Scores of 3 and 4 after extended inpatient rehabilitation.

CONCLUSION

A suspicion of DASH should be raised in elderly, anticoagulated, mild TBI patients, including those who present to the emergency department with Glasgow Coma Scores of 15 and normal computed tomographic scans after injury. Based on our experience, we recommend that elderly, anticoagulated mild TBI patients should be admitted for 24 to 48 hours of observation after injury.

Impaired cognitive functions in mild traumatic brain injury patients with normal and pathologic magnetic resonance imaging

INTRODUCTION

Mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI) is a common neurological (neurotraumatological) diagnosis. As well as different subjective symptoms, many patients develop neuropsychological dysfunction with objective impairment of attention, memory and certain executive functions. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is not routinely used in MTBI patients despite its proven greater sensitivity and specificity in comparison with computed tomography (CT).

METHODS

The patient group consisted of 30 persons with MTBI and the control group consisted of 30 sex- and age-matched healthy volunteers. Both groups underwent neurological examination, neuropsychological testing (including the Postconcussion Symptoms Scale questionnaire, PCSS) and brain MRI (the patient group within 96 h after injury).

RESULTS

The analyzed groups did not differ significantly in terms of sex, age, or level or duration of education. MRI pathological findings (traumatic and nonspecific) were present in nine patients. Traumatic lesions were found in seven patients. Nonspecific white matter lesions were found in five healthy controls. There were significant differences between MTBI patients and controls in terms of subjective symptoms (PCSS) and selected neuropsychological tests. Statistically significant neuropsychological differences were found between MTBI patients with true traumatic lesions and MTBI patients with nonspecific lesions.

CONCLUSION

There is evidence that MTBI patients with true traumatic MRI lesions are neuropsychologically different from MTBI patients with nonspecific MRI lesions or normal brain MRI. These results support the hypothesis that some acute MTBI signs and symptoms have a real organic basis which can be detected by selected new MRI modalities.

Recovery from mild traumatic brain injury

BACKGROUND

Fatigue is one of the most frequently reported symptoms after Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (MTBI). To date, systematic and comparative studies on fatigue after MTBI are scarce, and knowledge on causal mechanisms is lacking.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the severity of fatigue six months after MTBI and its relation to outcome. Furthermore, to test whether injury indices, such as Glasgow Coma Scale scores, are related to higher levels of fatigue.

METHODS

Postal questionnaires were sent to a consecutive group of patients with an MTBI and a minor-injury control group, aged 18-60, six months after injury. Fatigue severity was measured with the Checklist Individual Strength. Postconcussional symptoms and limitations in daily functioning were assessed using the Rivermead Post Concussion Questionnaire and the SF-36.

RESULTS

A total of 299 out of 618 eligible (response rate 52%) MTBI patients and 287 out of 482 eligible (response rate 60%) minor-injury patients returned the questionnaire. Ninety-five MTBI patients (32%) and 35 control patients (12%) were severely fatigued. Severe fatigue was highly associated with the experience of other symptoms, limitations in physical and social functioning, and fatigue related problems like reduced activity. Of various trauma severity indices, nausea and headache experienced on the ED were significantly related to higher levels of fatigue at six months.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, one third of a large sample of MTBI patients experiences severe fatigue six months after injury, and this experience is associated with limitations in daily functioning. Our finding that acute symptoms and mechanism of injury rather than injury severity indices appear to be related to higher levels of fatigue warrants further investigation.

A systematic review of treatments for mild traumatic brain injury

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effectiveness of interventions for mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI) in adults as found in the literature.

RESEARCH DESIGN

Systematic review of the literature.

METHODS

Six electronic databases and 18 journals within the brain injury field were manually searched between the years 1980-2003. References from articles were scanned for further literature. Studies that met broad inclusion criteria were subjected to a formal test of relevance. Those found to be relevant were qualitatively tested for their methodological soundness.

RESULTS

One thousand and fifty-five studies were initially identified and 163 were assessed using the relevance tool, yielding 20 studies for review. Four categories of interventions were identified: Pharmacotherapy, Cognitive Rehabilitation, Patient Education and Other. The majority of studies were weak, however there is evidence to support the effectiveness of patient education interventions.

CONCLUSIONS

There are few rigorous studies evaluating treatment of MTBI. Limitations of the current literature are presented.

Survey of the management of children with minor head injuries in Sweden

BACKGROUND

This study investigates current management practice of children with MHI in Swedish hospitals to define present need for management guidelines for children.

METHODS

A cross-sectional mail survey including 51 hospitals treating children with MHI outlines management routines concerning clinical and radiological examinations, in-hospital observation, discharge criteria and follow-up.

RESULTS

Twenty-seven per cent of the hospitals have established written criteria for referral and management of children with MHI. Eighty-eight per cent use the Swedish Reaction Level Scale for assessing the level of consciousness. Eight per cent use the paediatric Glasgow Coma Scale. Routine computerised tomography is performed in 18% of the hospitals, 12% perform skull radiography and/or radiography of the cervical spine as routine. Eighty-four per cent have established criteria for early discharge without hospitalisation.

CONCLUSION

The management of children with MHI varies in Swedish hospitals. There is a need for standardised protocols for detection of intracranial complications and guidelines for the management of MHI in children.

Emergency department management of mild traumatic brain injury in the USA

OBJECTIVE

To describe the emergency department (ED) management of isolated mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) in the USA and to examine variation in care across age and insurance types.

METHODS

A secondary analysis of ED visits for isolated mild TBI in the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey 1998-2000 was performed. Mild TBI was defined by International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9) codes for skull fracture, concussion, intracranial injury (unspecified), and head injury (unspecified). Available ED care variables were analysed by patient age and insurance categories using multivariate logistic regression.

RESULTS

The incidence of isolated mild TBI cases attending ED was 153,296 per year, or 56.4/100,000 people. Of the patients with isolated mild TBI, 44.3% underwent computed tomography, 23.9% underwent other non-extremity, non-chest x rays, 17.1% received wound care and 14.1% received intravenous fluids. However, only 43.8% had an assessment of pain. Of those with documented pain, only 45.5% received analgesics in the ED. Nearly 38% were discharged without recommendations for specific follow up. Several aspects of ED care varied by age but not by insurance type.

CONCLUSION

Substantial ED resources are devoted to the care of isolated mild TBI. The present study identified deficiencies in and variation around several important aspects of ED care. The development of guidelines specific for mild TBI could reduce variation and improve emergency care for this injury.

Fall-related brain injuries and the risk of dementia in elderly people: a population-based study

Severe head injury in early adulthood may increase the risk of dementia in older age, but it is not known whether head injury in later life also increases the risk of dementia. A representative sample (82%) of persons aged 70 years or older with a Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) test score of > or =26 (n = 325) were followed-up for 9 years to record all their fall-related head injuries resulting in traumatic brain injury (TBI). At the end of the follow-up period, 152 persons (81% of the surviving population) were examined for clinical dementia, according to DSM-IV criteria. Eight persons sustained a TBI and 34 developed dementia. Brain injury was associated with younger age at detection of dementia even when adjusted for sex and educational status (low educational status significantly associated with dementia); age-specific hazard ratio (95% confidence interval) 2.80 (1.35-5.81). In a population scoring > or =28 points in the baseline MMSE an apolipoprotein E (ApoE) epsilon4 phenotype was also associated with younger age at the time of detecting dementia; 3.56 (1.35-9.34), and the effect of brain injury and ApoE epsilon4 phenotype was synergistic; 7.68 (2.32-25.3). We conclude that fall-related TBI predicts earlier onset of dementia and the effect is especially high amongst subjects who carry the ApoE epsilon4 allele.

Mild head injury: reliability of early computed tomographic findings in triage for admission

OBJECTIVE

To search the literature for case reports on adverse outcomes in patients with mild head injury where acute computed tomography (CT) findings had been normal.

METHODS

Mild head injury was defined as head trauma involving amnesia or loss of consciousness, but where neurological findings are normal on arrival at hospital (GCS 15). The scientific literature was systematically searched for case reports where an early CT was normal and the patient deteriorated within two days. In these cases, early discharge despite a normal CT head scan would have been hazardous.

RESULTS

Two prospective studies were found that investigated the safety of early CT in 3300 patients with mild head injury, as were 39 reports on adverse outcomes describing 821 patients. In addition, 52 studies containing over 62 000 patients with mild head injury were reviewed. In total, only three cases were deemed to have experienced an early adverse outcome despite a normal CT and GCS 15 on initial presentation. In another eight cases with incomplete descriptions, the interpretation was doubtful. Many reports of complications were not relevant to our question and excluded. These reports included cases with more severe head injury/not GCS 15 at presentation, complications that occurred after more than two days, or initial CT findings that were not fully normal.

CONCLUSION

Very few cases were found where an early adverse event occurred after normal acute CT in patients with mild head injury. The strongest scientific evidence available at this time shows that a CT strategy is a safe way to triage patients for admission.

[Shock trauma room management of the multiple-traumatized patient with skull-brain injuries. A systematic review of the literature]

This overview reviews the literature on multiply injured patients with traumatic brain injuries. Clinical trials were systematically collected (MEDLINE, Cochrane, and hand searches) and classified into evidence levels (1 to 5 according to the Oxford system).A detailed analysis of the literature of traumatic brain injuries has been elaborated by the Brain Trauma Foundation and has been published in the World Wide Web (http://www2.braintrauma.org/). The following procedures should be performed in the emergency room for multiply injured patients with traumatic brain injuries: (1) recording of precise history to identify risk factors for severe traumatic brain injury, (2) measurement of the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), pupillary reflex, and mean arterial pressure, (3) diagnostic evaluation with a CT scan, and (4) rapid surgical decompression if indicated.

Quality management in traumatic brain injury (TBI) lessons from the prospective study in 6.800 patients after acute TBI in respect of neurorehabilitation

Preliminary results on epidemiology, acute hospital care, and neurorehabilitation of TBI are presented of the first ever prospective controlled German study to analyse the use of regional structures and quality management as provided by the German social healthcare system. The sum of inhabitants in Hannover and Münster area was 2,114 million. Within an area of 100 kilometres diameter each. 6.783 acute TBI (58% male) were admitted for acute treatment from March 2000 to 2001. Definition of acute TBI was according to the ICD 10 S-02, S-04, S-06, S-07, S-09 in combination with dizziness or vomiting; retrograde or anterograde amnesia, impaired consciousness, skull fracture, and/or focal neurological impairment. The incidence was 321/100.000 population. Cause of TBI was traffic accident in 26%, during leisure time 35%, at home 30% and at work 15%. Initial GCS (emergency room) was only assessed in 3.731 TBI (=55%). Out of those 3.395 = 90,9% were mild, 145 = 3,9% were moderate, and 191 = 5,2% severe TBI. 28% of 6.783 patients were <1 to 15 years, 18% > 65 years of age. The number admitted to hospital treatment is 5.221 = 77%, of whom 72 patients (=1,4%) died caused by TBI. One year follow-up in 4.307 TBI patients (=63.5%) revealed that only 258 patients (=3,8%) received neurorehabilitation (73% male), but 68% within one month of injury. Five percent of these patients were <16 years of age, 25% > 65 years. Early rehabilitation "B" was performed in 100 patients (=39%), 19% within one week following TBI. The management of frequent complications in 148 patients (=57%) and the high number of one or more different consultations (n = 196) confirmed the author's concept for early neurosurgical rehabilitation in TBI when rehabilitation centres were compared regarding GCS and GOS: Early GOS 1 = 4%; GOS 2 = 2,7%, GOS 3 = 37,3%, GOS 4 = 26,7%, GOS 5 = 29,3%, final GOS scores were 1 = 1,2%, 2 = 1,7%, 3 = 21,8%, 4 = 36,2%, and 5 = 39,1% of all patients at the end of rehabilitation. Mean duration for both "B" and "C" was 41 days compared to 80 days for "D" and "E". An assessment of both GCS and GOS was insufficient.

Reliability of clinical guidelines in the detection of patients at risk following mild head injury: results of a prospective study

OBJECT

The aims of this study were to analyze the relevance of risk factors in mild head injury (MHI) by studying the possibility of establishing prediction models based on these factors and to evaluate the reliability of the clinical guidelines proposed for the management of MHI.

METHODS

A series of 1101 patients with MHI were prospectively enrolled in this study. In all cases clinical data were collected and a computerized tomography (CT) scan was obtained. The relationship between clinical findings and the presence of intracranial lesions was studied to establish prediction models based on logistic regression and recursive partitioning analysis. Recently proposed guidelines and recommendations for the treatment of MHI were selected, calculating their diagnostic efficiency when applying each of them to our series. The incidence of acute intracranial lesions was 7.5% (83 patients). A Glasgow Coma Scale score of 14, loss of consciousness, vomiting, headache, signs of basilar skull fracture, neurological deficit, coagulopathies, hydrocephalus treated with shunt insertion, associated extracranial lesions, and patient age greater than 65 years were identified as independent risk factors. Prediction models built on clinical variables were able to indicate patients with clinically important lesions, but failed to achieve 100% sensitivity in the detection of all patients with CT scans positive for intracranial lesions within reasonable specificity limits.

CONCLUSIONS

Clinical variables are insufficient to predict all cases of intracranial lesions following MHI, although they can be used to detect patients with relevant injuries. Avoiding systematic CT scan indication implies a rate of misdiagnosis that should be known and assumed when planning treatment in these patients by using guidelines based on clinical parameters.

Mild Head Injuries: Impact of a National Strategy for Implementation of Management Guidelines

BACKGROUND

A national survey in 1996 showed insufficient routines for management of patients with mild head injuries in Norwegian hospitals. Since then, the Scandinavian Guidelines for Management of Mild Head Injuries have been published.

METHODS

A cross-sectional questionnaire survey of management practice was performed in all 59 hospitals in 2002. We compared the results with figures from 1996 and evaluated guideline compliance.

RESULTS

The proportion of noncompliant hospitals was reduced (p = 0.02) from 52% to 31%. The proportion assessing the patient's level of consciousness according to the Glasgow Coma Scale increased (p = 0.001) from 49% to 80%. The proportion requiring a normal computed tomographic scan if a patient with a history of loss of consciousness was to be sent home from the accident and emergency department increased (p < 0.001) from 1 (2%) to 13 (19%).

CONCLUSION

The Scandinavian Guidelines for Management of Mild Head Injuries have had a significant impact on management practice in Norwegian hospitals.