Monitoring Recovery of Cognitive Function Following Severe Traumatic Brain Injury

2001 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 22-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara A. Wilson ◽  
Agnes Shiel ◽  
Lindsay McLellan ◽  
Sandra Horn ◽  
Martin A. Watson
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Head Injury ◽  
Severe Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Motor Functioning ◽  
Case Examples ◽  
Traumatic Amnesia ◽  
Severe Tbi ◽  
Minimally Conscious

AbstractWe report on the development of a new assessment tool to monitor recovery after severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). Although a number of scales exist to identify such recovery, most are limited if one is interested in monitoring small changes or in setting goals for rehabilitation. This is due to the fact that items are too broad, they may cross more than one dimension (e.g. cognition and motor functioning) and there is a danger that recording of responses may be too subjective. The Wessex Head Injury Matrix (WHIM) was developed to avoid these problems. We observed 88 people with severe TBI. These were consecutive admissions to two hospitals. Mean coma duration was 14 days and mean duration of post traumatic amnesia (PTA) was 56 days. Of 145 behaviours observed, we selected 62 and each behaviour was compared to every other behaviour to determine a likely order of recovery. The resulting WHIM is an observational tool to assess and monitor cognitive recovery after severe head injury. It can be used with patients who are in coma, just out of coma or who are minimally conscious. Two case examples are provided.

scholarly journals Modulated Neuroprotection in Unresponsive Wakefulness Syndrome after Severe Traumatic Brain Injury

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 1044
Author(s):  
Cristina Daia ◽  
Cristian Scheau ◽  
Aura Spinu ◽  
Ioana Andone ◽  
Cristina Popescu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Glasgow Coma Scale ◽  
Severe Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Functional Independence ◽  
Unresponsive Wakefulness Syndrome ◽  
Coma Scale ◽  
Severe Tbi ◽  
Neuroprotective Treatment ◽  
Gcs Score

Background: We aimed to assess the effects of modulated neuroprotection with intermittent administration in patients with unresponsive wakefulness syndrome (UWS) after severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). Methods: Retrospective analysis of 60 patients divided into two groups, with and without neuroprotective treatment with Actovegin, Cerebrolysin, pyritinol, L-phosphothreonine, L-glutamine, hydroxocobalamin, alpha-lipoic acid, carotene, DL-α-tocopherol, ascorbic acid, thiamine, pyridoxine, cyanocobalamin, Q 10 coenzyme, and L-carnitine alongside standard treatment. Main outcome measures: Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) after TBI, Extended Glasgow Coma Scale (GOS E), Disability Rankin Scale (DRS), Functional Independence Measurement (FIM), and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA), all assessed at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after TBI. Results: Patients receiving neuroprotective treatment recovered more rapidly from UWS than controls (p = 0.007) passing through a state of minimal consciousness and gradually progressing until the final evaluation (p = 0.000), towards a high cognitive level MOCA = 22 ± 6 points, upper moderate disability GOS-E = 6 ± 1, DRS = 6 ± 4, and an assisted gait, FIM =101 ± 25. The improvement in cognitive and physical functioning was strongly correlated with lower UWS duration (−0.8532) and higher GCS score (0.9803). Conclusion: Modulated long-term neuroprotection may be the therapeutic key for patients to overcome UWS after severe TBI.

Self-awareness four years after severe traumatic brain injury: discordance between the patient’s and relative’s complaints. Results from the PariS-TBI study

2017 ◽  
Vol 32 (5) ◽  
pp. 692-704 ◽  
Author(s):  
Camille Chesnel ◽  
Claire Jourdan ◽  
Eleonore Bayen ◽  
Idir Ghout ◽  
Emmanuelle Darnoux ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Severe Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Significant Relationship ◽  
Injury Severity ◽  
Chronic Phase ◽  
Functional Independence ◽  
Severe Tbi

Objective: To evaluate the patient’s awareness of his or her difficulties in the chronic phase of severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) and to determine the factors related to poor awareness. Design/Setting/Subjects: This study was part of a larger prospective inception cohort study of patients with severe TBI in the Parisian region (PariS-TBI study). Intervention/Main measures: Evaluation was carried out at four years and included the Brain Injury Complaint Questionnaire (BICoQ) completed by the patient and his or her relative as well as the evaluation of impairments, disability and quality of life. Results: A total of 90 patient-relative pairs were included. Lack of awareness was measured using the unawareness index that corresponded to the number of discordant results between the patient and relative in the direction of under evaluation of difficulties by the patient. The only significant relationship found with lack of awareness was the subjective burden perceived by the relative (Zarit Burden Inventory) ( r = 0.5; P < 0.00001). There was no significant relationship between lack of awareness and injury severity, pre-injury socio-demographic data, cognitive impairments, mood disorders, functional independence (Barthel index), global disability (Glasgow Outcome Scale), return to work at four years or quality of life (Quality Of Life after Brain Injury scale (QOLIBRI)). Conclusion: Lack of awareness four years post severe TBI was not related to the severity of the initial trauma, sociodemographic data, the severity of impairments, limitations of activity and participation, or the patient’s quality of life. However, poor awareness did significantly influence the weight of the burden perceived by the relative.

scholarly journals Early diagnosis of mortality using admission CT perfusion in severe traumatic brain injury patients (ACT-TBI): protocol for a prospective cohort study

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. e047305
Author(s):  
Susan Alcock ◽  
Divjeet Batoo ◽  
Sudharsana Rao Ande ◽  
Rob Grierson ◽  
Marco Essig ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Cohort Study ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Early Diagnosis ◽  
Hospital Mortality ◽  
Brain Death ◽  
Severe Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Health Research ◽  
Ct Perfusion ◽  
Severe Tbi

IntroductionSevere traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a catastrophic neurological condition with significant economic burden. Early in-hospital mortality (<48 hours) with severe TBI is estimated at 50%. Several clinical examinations exist to determine brain death; however, most are difficult to elicit in the acute setting in patients with severe TBI. Having a definitive assessment tool would help predict early in-hospital mortality in this population. CT perfusion (CTP) has shown promise diagnosing early in-hospital mortality in patients with severe TBI and other populations. The purpose of this study is to validate admission CTP features of brain death relative to the clinical examination outcome for characterizing early in-hospital mortality in patients with severe TBI.Methods and analysisThe Early Diagnosis of Mortality using Admission CT Perfusion in Severe Traumatic Brain Injury Patients study, is a prospective cohort study in patients with severe TBI funded by a grant from the Canadian Institute of Health Research. Adults aged 18 or older, with evidence of a severe TBI (Glasgow Coma Scale score ≤8 before initial resuscitation) and, on mechanical ventilation at the time of imaging are eligible. Patients will undergo CTP at the time of first imaging on their hospital admission. Admission CTP compares with the reference standard of an accepted bedside clinical assessment for brainstem function. Deferred consent will be used. The primary outcome is a binary outcome of mortality (dead) or survival (not dead) in the first 48 hours of admission. The planned sample size for achieving a sensitivity of 75% and a specificity of 95% with a CI of ±5% is 200 patients.Ethics and disseminationThis study has been approved by the University of Manitoba Health Research Ethics Board. The findings from our study will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journals and presentations at local rounds, national and international conferences. The public will be informed through forums at the end of the study.Trial registration numberNCT04318665

scholarly journals Critical Update on the Third Edition of the Guidelines for Managing Severe Traumatic Brain Injury in Children

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. e13-e18
Author(s):  
Karin Reuter-Rice ◽  
Elise Christoferson
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Critical Care ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Severe Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
The Third ◽  
Guideline Document ◽  
Severe Tbi ◽  
Pediatric Tbi

Background Severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) is associated with high rates of death and disability. As a result, the revised guidelines for the management of pediatric severe TBI address some of the previous gaps in pediatric TBI evidence and management strategies targeted to promote overall health outcomes. Objectives To provide highlights of the most important updates featured in the third edition of the guidelines for the management of pediatric severe TBI. These highlights can help critical care providers apply the most current and appropriate therapies for children with severe TBI. Methods and Results After a brief overview of the process behind identifying the evidence to support the third edition guidelines, both relevant and new recommendations from the guidelines are outlined to provide critical care providers with the most current management approaches needed for children with severe TBI. Recommendations for neuroimaging, hyperosmolar therapy, analgesics and sedatives, seizure prophylaxis, ventilation therapies, temperature control/hypothermia, nutrition, and corticosteroids are provided. In addition, the complete guideline document and its accompanying algorithm for recommended therapies are available electronically and are referenced within this article. Conclusions The evidence base for treating pediatric TBI is increasing and provides the basis for high-quality care. This article provides critical care providers with a quick reference to the current evidence when caring for a child with a severe TBI. In addition, it provides direct access links to the comprehensive guideline document and algorithms developed to support critical care providers.

Blunt cerebrovascular injuries in severe traumatic brain injury: incidence, risk factors, and evolution

2017 ◽  
Vol 127 (1) ◽  
pp. 16-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pierre Esnault ◽  
Mickaël Cardinale ◽  
Henry Boret ◽  
Erwan D'Aranda ◽  
Ambroise Montcriol ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Severe Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Anticoagulation Therapy ◽  
Spine Injury ◽  
Hemorrhagic Complication ◽  
Injury Incidence ◽  
Severe Tbi ◽  
Systemic Anticoagulation

OBJECTIVEBlunt cerebrovascular injuries (BCVIs) affect approximately 1% of patients with blunt trauma. An antithrombotic or anticoagulation therapy is recommended to prevent the occurrence or recurrence of neurovascular events. This treatment has to be carefully considered after severe traumatic brain injury (TBI), due to the risk of intracranial hemorrhage expansion. Thus, the physician in charge of the patient is confronted with a hemorrhagic and ischemic risk. The main objective of this study was to determine the incidence of BCVI after severe TBI.METHODSThe authors conducted a prospective, observational, single-center study including all patients with severe TBI admitted in the trauma center. Diagnosis of BCVI was performed using a 64-channel multidetector CT. Characteristics of the patients, CT scan results, and outcomes were collected. A multivariate logistic regression model was developed to determine the risk factors of BCVI. Patients in whom BCVI was diagnosed were treated with systemic anticoagulation.RESULTSIn total, 228 patients with severe TBI who were treated over a period of 7 years were included. The incidence of BCVI was 9.2%. The main risk factors were as follows: motorcycle crash (OR 8.2, 95% CI 1.9–34.8), fracture involving the carotid canal (OR 11.7, 95% CI 1.7–80.9), cervical spine injury (OR 13.5, 95% CI 3.1–59.4), thoracic trauma (OR 7.3, 95% CI 1.1–51.2), and hepatic lesion (OR 13.3, 95% CI 2.1–84.5). Among survivors, 82% of patients with BCVI received systemic anticoagulation therapy, beginning at a median of Day 1.5. The overall stroke rate was 19%. One patient had an intracranial hemorrhagic complication.CONCLUSIONSBlunt cerebrovascular injuries are frequent after severe TBI (incidence 9.2%). The main risk factors are high-velocity lesions and injuries near cervical arteries.

Severe traumatic brain injury management in Tanzania: analysis of a prospective cohort

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Halinder S. Mangat ◽  
Xian Wu ◽  
Linda M. Gerber ◽  
Hamisi K. Shabani ◽  
Albert Lazaro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Emergency Department ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Severe Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Ct Scanning ◽  
Core Model ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Tertiary Referral Center ◽  
Severe Tbi ◽  
Medical Therapies

OBJECTIVEGiven the high burden of neurotrauma in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), in this observational study, the authors evaluated the treatment and outcomes of patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) accessing care at the national neurosurgical institute in Tanzania.METHODSA neurotrauma registry was established at Muhimbili Orthopaedic Institute, Dar-es-Salaam, and patients with severe TBI admitted within 24 hours of injury were included. Detailed emergency department and subsequent medical and surgical management of patients was recorded. Two-week mortality was measured and compared with estimates of predicted mortality computed with admission clinical variables using the Corticoid Randomisation After Significant Head Injury (CRASH) core model.RESULTSIn total, 462 patients (mean age 33.9 years) with severe TBI were enrolled over 4.5 years; 89% of patients were male. The mean time to arrival to the hospital after injury was 8 hours; 48.7% of patients had advanced airway management in the emergency department, 55% underwent cranial CT scanning, and 19.9% underwent surgical intervention. Tiered medical therapies for intracranial hypertension were used in less than 50% of patients. The observed 2-week mortality was 67%, which was 24% higher than expected based on the CRASH core model.CONCLUSIONSThe 2-week mortality from severe TBI at a tertiary referral center in Tanzania was 67%, which was significantly higher than the predicted estimates. The higher mortality was related to gaps in the continuum of care of patients with severe TBI, including cardiorespiratory monitoring, resuscitation, neuroimaging, and surgical rates, along with lower rates of utilization of available medical therapies. In ongoing work, the authors are attempting to identify reasons associated with the gaps in care to implement programmatic improvements. Capacity building by twinning provides an avenue for acquiring data to accurately estimate local needs and direct programmatic education and interventions to reduce excess in-hospital mortality from TBI.

306 GCS Does Not Predict Cognitive Outcome 30 Years After Severe Traumatic Brain Injury

Neurosurgery ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 64 (CN_suppl_1) ◽  
pp. 264-265
Author(s):  
Molly E Hubbard ◽  
Abdullah Bin Zahid ◽  
Gabrielle Meyer ◽  
Kathleen Vonderhaar ◽  
David Y Balser ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Cognitive Status ◽  
Cognitive Outcomes ◽  
Cognitive Outcome ◽  
Symptom Severity Score ◽  
History Of ◽  
Severe Tbi

Abstract INTRODUCTION Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the US. The effects of TBI on quality of life may not become apparent for years after the injury. There are conflicting reports in the literature regarding long term outcomes. Physicians are often asked to predict long term functional and cognitive outcomes, with limited data available. METHODS Patients with severe TBI (GCS = 9) who previously participated in a clinical trial during the 1980s were followed up with and compared to healthy controls without history of TBI. A health questionnaire, sports concussion assessment tool version 3 (SCAT3) and the Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status-modified (TICS-m) were completed over the phone and compared with controls using t-test. GCS at admission and 12-month GRS were used to predict to TICS-M at 30 years using linear regression. RESULTS >45 of the initial 168 subjects were confirmed alive, and 37 (13 females; mean age: 52.43 years S.D. 10.7) consented. Controls (n = 58; 23 females; mean age = 54 years, S.D. 11.5) had lower symptom severity score (6.7 S.D. 12.6 versus 20.6 S.D. 25.3; P = 0.005), lower total number of symptoms (3.4 S.D. 4.7 versus 7.12 S.D. 6.5; P = 0.006), higher standardized assessment of concussion score (25.6 S.D. 2.8 versus 21.2 S.D. 6.9; P = 0.001), and lower corrected MPAI-4 (22.3 S.D. 17.0 versus 43.7 S.D. 12.8; P < 0.001). GCS at admission did not predict cognitive status at 30-years assessed using TICS-M (P = 0.345). The Glasgow Outcome Scale score at 12-months was correlated to TICS-M at 30 years (R = 0.548, P < 0.001); each point decrease in GOS decreasing the score at TICS-M by 5.6 points. CONCLUSION Remote history of TBI disrupts the lives of survivors long after injury. Admission GCS does not predict cognitive status 30 years after TBI. The GOS at 12-months predicted the cognitive status assessed using TICS-M score at 30 years.

scholarly journals Outcome of children with severe traumatic brain injury who are treated with decompressive craniectomy

2015 ◽  
Vol 16 (5) ◽  
pp. 508-514 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maroun J. Mhanna ◽  
Wael EI Mallah ◽  
Margaret Verrees ◽  
Rajiv Shah ◽  
Dennis M. Super
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Decompressive Craniectomy ◽  
Cerebral Edema ◽  
Severe Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Medical Records ◽  
Case Control Study ◽  
Case Control ◽  
Severe Tbi ◽  
Control Study

OBJECT Decompressive craniectomy (DC) for the management of severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) is controversial. The authors sought to determine if DC improves the outcome of children with severe TBI. METHODS In a retrospective, case-control study, medical records of all patients admitted to the pediatric ICU between May 1998 and May 2008 with severe TBI and treated with DC were identified and matched to patients who were treated medically without DC. Medical records were reviewed for patients’ demographic data and baseline characteristics. RESULTS During the study period, 17 patients with severe TBI treated with DC at a median of 2 hours (interquartile range [IQR] 1–14 hours) after admission were identified and matched to 17 contemporary controls. On admission, there were no differences between DC and control patients regarding age (10.2 ± 5.9 years vs 12.4 ± 5.4 years, respectively [mean ± SD]), sex, weight, Glasgow Coma Scale score (median 5 [IQR 3–7] vs 4 [IQR 3–6], respectively; p = 0.14), or the highest intracranial pressure (median 42 [IQR 22–54] vs 30 [IQR 21–36], respectively; p = 0.77). However, CT findings were significant for a higher rate of herniation and cerebral edema among patients with DC versus controls (7/17 vs 2/17, respectively, had herniation [p = 0.05] and 14/17 vs 6/17, respectively, had cerebral edema [p = 0.006]). Overall there were no significant differences in survival between patients with DC and controls (71% [12/17] vs 82% [14/17], respectively; p = 0.34). However, among survivors, at 4 years (IQR 1–6 years) after the TBI, 42% (5/12) of the DC patients had mild disability or a Glasgow Outcome Scale score of 5 vs none (0/14) of the controls (p = 0.012). CONCLUSIONS In this retrospective, small case-control study, the authors have shown that early DC in pediatric patients with severe TBI improves outcome in survivors. Future prospective randomized controlled studies are needed to confirm these findings.

scholarly journals Introduction of the Abbreviated Westmead Post-Traumatic Amnesia Scale and Impact on Length of Stay

2017 ◽  
Vol 106 (4) ◽  
pp. 356-360 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. E. Watson ◽  
E. A. Clous ◽  
M. Jaeger ◽  
S. K. D’Amours
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Length Of Stay ◽  
Mild Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Brain Injuries ◽  
Hospital Admissions ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Hospital Length Of Stay ◽  
Traumatic Amnesia ◽  
Post Traumatic

Background and Aims: Mild traumatic brain injury is a common presentation to Emergency Departments. Early identification of patients with cognitive deficits and provision of discharge advice are important. The Abbreviated Westmead Post-traumatic Amnesia Scale provides an early and efficient assessment of post-traumatic amnesia for patients with mild traumatic brain injuries, compared with the previously used assessment, the Modified Oxford Post-traumatic Scale. Material and Methods: This retrospective cohort study reviewed 270 patients with mild traumatic brain injury assessed for post-traumatic amnesia over a 2-year period between February 2011 and February 2013. It identified those assessed with Abbreviated Westmead Post-traumatic Amnesia Scale versus Modified Oxford Post-traumatic Scale, the outcomes of these post-traumatic amnesia assessments, the hospital length of stay for patients, and their readmission rates. Results: The Abbreviated Westmead Post-traumatic Amnesia Scale was used in 91% of patient cases (and the Modified Oxford Post-traumatic Scale in 7%), and of those assessed with the Abbreviated Westmead Post-traumatic Amnesia Scale, 94% cleared post-traumatic amnesia testing within 4 h. Of those assessed with the Abbreviated Westmead Post-traumatic Amnesia Scale, 56% had a shorter length of stay than had they been assessed with the Modified Oxford Post-traumatic Scale, resulting in 295 bed-days saved. Verbal and written discharge advice was provided to those assessed for post-traumatic amnesia to assist their recovery. In all, 1% of patients were readmitted for monitoring of mild post-concussion symptoms. Conclusion: The Abbreviated Westmead Post-traumatic Amnesia Scale provides an effective and timely assessment of post-traumatic amnesia for patients presenting to the Emergency Department with mild traumatic brain injury compared with the previously used assessment tool. It helps identify patients with cognitive impairment and the need for admission and further investigation, resulting in appropriate access to care. It also results in a decreased length of stay and decreased hospital admissions, with subsequent cost savings to the hospital.

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