The impact of coagulopathy on the outcome of traumatic epidural hematoma

Impact of perioperative factors on short-term outcomes after emergency surgery for acute traumatic extradural hematoma - A retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Preoperative clinical and imaging findings predict neurological outcomes in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Similarly, intraoperative factors such as blood loss and hypotension can also affect outcomes. However, there is not much data regarding the influence of perioperative variables on clinical outcomes in patients with extradural hematoma (EDH). This study aimed to understand the effect of perioperative factors on short-term neurological outcomes in patients operated for acute traumatic EDH.

METHODS

After obtaining institutional ethical approval, we collected data retrospectively from records of patients who underwent emergency surgery for acute traumatic EDH over a two-year period. Data regarding age, gender, preoperative Glasgow coma scale (GCS) score, clinical and imaging findings, surgical and anesthetic details, blood loss and transfusion, duration of hospital stay, and GCS score at discharge were collected. Patients with discharge GCS score of 14-15 were considered to have favorable outcome and <14 as unfavorable outcome. Regression analysis was performed to examine the association between predictors and outcomes. Odds ratios (OR) and 95 % confidence intervals (CI) were calculated.

RESULTS

Data of 501 patients were analyzed. Outcome was favorable in 343 (68.5 %) and unfavorable in 158 (31.5 %) patients. On multivariate logistic regression analysis (OR, 95 % CI, p value), age (1.03, 1.01-1.05, 0.01), preoperative GCS score (0.68, 0.61-0.76, <0.001), signs of basal skull fracture (1.9, 1.02-3.61, 0.043) and intraoperative blood loss (2.23, 1.2-4.16, 0.01) were independently associated with unfavorable outcome. Pneumonia, neurological deficits, inotrope use and duration of hospital stay was more in this group.

CONCLUSIONS

Older age, poor pre-operative GCS score, signs of basal skull fracture, and intraoperative blood loss were associated with lower discharge GCS score, increased neurological deficits and longer hospital stay in patients operated for acute traumatic EDH.

Vertex epidural hematoma: Diagnosis, therapeutic consideration and outcome

OBJECTIVE

Vertex epidural hematoma (VEDH) is a relatively uncommon type of intracranial hematoma. Because of its unique location and the potential of massive intraoperative bleeding, diagnosis and surgical intervention of VEDH may be challenging.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective analysis of 32 patients with VEDH was undertaken to investigate the prognostic factor and therapeutic strategy of VEDH. Special attention was paid to the relationship between fracture pattern, surgical method, intraoperative blood loss and outcome.

RESULTS

Patients treated surgically had a higher percentage of consciousness disturbance and a significantly larger size of VEDH compared with patients treated conservatively (p = 0.029 and p < 0.0001, respectively). Bleeding from the injured superior sagittal sinus (SSS) was noted in six of nine patients (67%) with a linear fracture parallel to the SSS. Only one patient (20%) with a linear fracture crossing the SSS had bleeding from the injured SSS. Five of eight patients (63%) with sagittal suture diastasis experienced bleeding from the SSS. All patients with massive blood loss and six of seven patients developing intraoperative shock had copious bleeding from the injured SSS. All patients with intraoperative massive bleeding and shock underwent traditional "simple craniotomy". No patients undergoing "strip craniotomy" experienced massive bleeding. Thrombocytopenia (p = 0.008), headache (p = 0.015), consciousness disturbance (p = 0.043), pupil reactivity (p = 0.010), GCS score (p < 0.0001) and the relationship between skull fracture and the SSS (p = 0.037) were significant prognostic factors.

CONCLUSION

Our study demonstrated GCS score may be a significant prognostic factor in patients with VEDH. Bleeding from the injured SSS occurred frequently in VEDH patients with a linear skull fracture parallel to the SSS or sagittal suture diastasis and could cause devastating hemorrhage. When operating on such patients, the surgical team should prepare for the possibility of massive blood loss and intraoperative shock. Bilateral parasagittal craniotomies with preservation of a central bone strip containing the sagittal suture (strip craniotomy) to allow application of tack-up sutures from the dura to the bone strip may be more suitable for VEDH evacuation.

Traumatic Epidural and Subdural Hematoma: Epidemiology, Outcome, and Dating

Epidural hematomas (EDHs) and subdural hematomas (SDHs), or so-called extra-axial bleedings, are common clinical entities after a traumatic brain injury (TBI). A forensic pathologist often analyzes cases of traumatic EDHs or SDHs due to road accidents, suicides, homicides, assaults, domestic or on-the-job accidents, and even in a medical responsibility scenario. The aim of this review is to give an overview of the published data in the medical literature, useful to forensic pathologists. We mainly focused on the data from the last 15 years, and considered the most updated protocols and diagnostic-therapeutic tools. This study reviews the epidemiology, outcome, and dating of extra-axial hematomas in the adult population; studies on the controversial interdural hematoma are also included.

Acute Epidural and Subdural Hematomas After Head Injury: Clinical Distinguishing Features

Head injury remains the most common cause of death and disability in young people. The most frequent consequences of traumatic brain injury (TBI) are extra-axial hemorrhage, i.e., an acute subdural hematoma (SDH) and epidural hematoma (EDH), which usually require a surgical treatment. The aim of the study is to present the distinguished clinical features associated with patients being surgically treated for post-traumatic EDH and SDH. The study included a group of 128 patients with isolated craniocerebral injuries. All the patients were operated. The following factors from the groups were analyzed: demographic data, physiological factors, laboratory factors, computed tomography scan characteristics, the time between trauma and surgery, and the in-hospital mortality. Using statistical analysis, we compared the studied factors in patients operated on due to EDH and SDH. Patients with SDH were older than patients with EDH. Most often, extra-axial hematomas affected men. Patients with SDH were more severe condition than patients with EDH on admission. Abnormal systolic blood pressure was the most common manifestation of dysautonomia in both groups. In the SDH group, we observed hypotension more often than hypertension. Hyperglycemia was one of the most common anomalies in laboratory factors in both groups. Hypotension and hyperglycemia were that factors significantly associated with outcome after head injuries. SDH caused greater midline shift and often pressed in basal cisterns. Patients with SDH died more often than patients with EDH.

The outcome of observation of acute traumatic extradural hemorrhage in pediatric age group

PURPOSE

The non-operative management of extradural hemorrhage in the pediatric age group has been increasingly considered in the last decade with good clinical outcomes and comparable results to surgical intervention in carefully selected patients. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the outcome of observation in the management of pediatric patients with extra dural hematoma.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

All consecutive pediatric patients with traumatic EDH after TBI who were presented to a single neurosurgical institution between January, 2008 and November, 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. Mechanism of injury, Glasgow coma scale (GCS) on admission, presenting neurological examination, treatment modality, the first and last imaging findings, and outcome were analyzed. The outcome was measured using the Glasgow outcome scale (GOS) on discharge from the hospital.

RESULTS

A total of 83 patients were identified. The median age was 7.1 years (0.8-14 years) and 67% of the patients were male (n = 56). The median thickness of acute EDH was 1.1 cm (0.2-2.6 cm). 44 patients were managed conservatively with a close observation at a specialized neurotrauma unit for any clinical deterioration, and the remaining 39 patients were managed surgically. There was no significant difference in the patients age, hematoma thickness, presence of skull fractures, systemic injuries, and other types of cerebral injuries between the two groups. The presenting GCS was significantly lower in the surgical group which reflects the severity of the injury. Hospital stay was significantly longer among the surgical group, and the GOS was significantly better in the non-surgical group. The majority of the surgical group showed complete resolution of the hematoma on discharge, while only 50% of the non-surgical patients (n = 22) had a complete resolution of the hematoma one month after the TBI.

CONCLUSION

The conservative management is applicable in carefully selected pediatric patients with acute traumatic extradural hematoma provided that the observation is accomplished in a well-established and equipped neurosurgical unit. These results are congruent with similar earlier studies.

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

BACKGROUND

Patients with traumatic epidural haematoma, undergoing the prompt and correct treatment, usually have favourable outcomes. However, secondary cerebral infarction may be life-threatening condition, as it is difficult to be identified before neurological impairment occurs.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the clinical data of patients with traumatic EDH and assess potential risk factors for post-operative cerebral infarction.

METHODS

The clinical data of patients with traumatic EDH were collected and analysed retrospectively.

RESULTS

The univariate analysis revealed 10 potential risk factors (the haematoma location, volume, the largest thickness and mid-line shift, basal cisterns compression, traumatic subarachnoid haemorrhage, pupil dilatation, pre-operative Glasgow Coma Scale score, ∆GCS and intraoperative brain pressure) for cerebral infarction with statistically significant difference. Of these factors, haematoma volume and basal cistern compression turned out to be the most significant risk factors through final multivariate logistic regression analysis.

CONCLUSION

The findings of this study can provide predictive factors for development of cerebral infarction and information for clinical decision-making and future studies.

Outcomes in Trauma Patients with Isolated Epidural Hemorrhage: A Single-Institution Retrospective Cohort Study

The type, location, and size of intracranial hemorrhage are known to be associated with variable outcomes in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI). The aim of our study was to assess the outcomes in patients with isolated epidural hemorrhage (EDH) based on the location of EDH. We performed a 3-year (2010–2012) retrospective chart review of the patients with TBI in our level 1 trauma center. Patients with an isolated EDH on initial head CT scan were included. Patients were divided into four groups based on the location of EDH: frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital. Differences in demographics and outcomes between the four groups were assessed. Outcome measures were progression on repeat head CT and neurosurgical intervention (NI). A total of 76 patients were included in this study. The mean age was 20.6 ± 15.2 years, 68.4 per cent were male, median Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score 15 (13–15), and median head Abbreviated Injury Scale score was 3 (2–4). About 32.9 per cent patients (n = 25) had frontal EDH, 26.3 per cent (n = 20) had temporal EDH, 10.5 per cent (n = 8) had occipital EDH, while the remaining 30.3 per cent (n = 23) had parietal EDH. The overall progression rate was 21.1 per cent (n = 12) and NI rate was 29 per cent (n = 22). There was no difference in the outcome of patients based on location of EDH. Patients with NI had a longer hospital length of stay ( P = 0.02) and longer intensive care unit length of stay ( P = 0.05). The incidence of isolated EDH is low in patients with blunt TBI. Patients with isolated EDH undergoing NI have longer hospital stays compared to patients without NI. Further investigation is warranted to identify factors associated with need for NI and adverse outcomes in the cohort of patients with isolated EDH.

Epidural Hematoma Treated Conservatively: When to Expect the Worst

Background: The Brain Trauma Foundation’s 2006 surgical guidelines have objectively defined the epidural hematoma (EDH) patients who can be treated conservatively. Since then, the literature has not provided adequate clues to identify patients who are at higher risk for EDH progression (EDHP) and conversion to surgical therapy. The goal of our study was to identify those patients. Methods: We carried a retrospective review over a 5-year period of all EDH who were initially triaged for conservative management. Demographic data, injury severity and history, neurological status, use of anticoagulants or anti-platelets, radiological parameters, conversion to surgery and its timing, and Glasgow Outcome Scale were analyzed. Bivariate association and further logistic regression were used to point out the significant predictors of EDHP and conversion to surgery. Results: 125 patients (75% of all EDH) were included. The mean age was 39.1 years. The brain injury was mild in 62.4% of our sample and severe in 14.4%. Only 11.2% of the patients required surgery. Statistical comparison showed that younger age (p< 0.0001) and coagulopathy (p=0.009) were the only significant factors for conversion to surgery. There was no difference in outcomes between patients who had EDHP and those who did not. Conclusions: Most traumatic EDH are not surgical at presentation. The rate of conversion to surgery is low. Significant predictors of EDHP are coagulopathy and younger age. These patients need closer observation because of a higher risk of EDHP. Outcome of surgical conversion was similar to successful conservative management.