Missile injury to the pediatric brain in conflict zones

2011 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 276-281 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abrar A. Wani ◽  
Altaf U. Ramzan ◽  
Nayil K. Malik ◽  
Abdul Qayoom ◽  
Furqan A. Nizami ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Glasgow Coma Scale ◽  
Pediatric Population ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Multinomial Regression ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Conflict Zones ◽  
Coma Scale ◽  
Hemodynamic Status ◽  
Missile Injury ◽  
Gcs Score

Object This study was conducted both prospectively and retrospectively at one center over a period of 8 years. The population consisted of all patients with both an age 18 years or younger and a diagnosed penetrating missile injury (PMI) during the study interval. The authors analyzed factors determining outcome and demographic trends in this population, and they compared them with those in the more developed world Methods Fifty-one patients were the victims of armed conflict, although no one was directly a party to any battle. This mechanism of injury is in strong opposition to data in the literature from developed countries, in which most missile injuries are the result of suicide or homicide or are even sports related. Moreover, all previous studies on the pediatric population have considered only injuries from gunshots, but authors of the current study have included injuries from other penetrating missiles as well. Results On cross tabulation analysis using the chi-square test, the factors shown to correlate with outcome included the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score, pupillary abnormalities, patient age, hemodynamic status, and bihemispheric damage. On multinomial regression analysis, the two strongest predictors of death were GCS score and pupillary abnormalities. The GCS score and hemodynamic status were the strongest predictors of disability. Conclusions There was no difference in the prognostic factors for PMI between developing or more developed countries. Glasgow Coma Scale score, pupillary abnormalities, and hemodynamic status were the strongest predictors of outcome. In conflict zones in developing countries the victims were mostly innocent bystanders, whereas in the more developed countries homicides and suicides were the leading etiological factors.

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.

scholarly journals Factors influencing the outcome of patients with acute extradural haematomas undergoing surgery

1970 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 112-120 ◽  
Author(s):  
MJ Islam ◽  
SK Saha ◽  
MF Elahy ◽  
KMT Islam ◽  
SU Ahamed
Keyword(s):  
Glasgow Coma Scale ◽  
Glasgow Outcome Scale ◽  
Road Traffic ◽  
Medical Science ◽  
Extradural Haematoma ◽  
Common Cause ◽  
Coma Scale ◽  
Male Predominance ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Gcs Score

Background: Acute extradural haematoma (EDH) remains most common cause of mortality and disability resulting from traumatic brain injury. In the last three decades, improvements in rescue, neuromonitoring, diagnostic procedure and intensive care have led to better outcomes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the factors influencing the outcome in patients with EDH undergoing surgery treated in a tertiary hospital in Bangladesh. Methods: In this retrospective study, 102 consecutive patients with acute EDH who underwent craniotomy were included. The study was carried out from July 2003 to December 2005. The diagnosis was made clinically and radiologically by CT scan. Patients were grouped on the basis of Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) and operative outcomes were evaluated by Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) Results: More than half sampled respondents’ (57%) age were more than 20 years while rests of the patients below 20 years with male predominance (Male: Female -12:1). About 7 in 10 respondents (70.6%) were working. Similarly, majority of the respondents (79.4%) had lost more than 30 ml blood. A notable proportion of the respondents (73.5%) had good GCS score (9-15 score) during admission. Similarly majority of the respondents (70.6%) had GCS score 9-15 and 29.4% had GCS score 3-8 before surgery. Road Traffic Accident (RTA) (65%) is the most common cause of EDH followed by assault (20%) and fall from height (12%). Temporal and temporo-parietal locations were the most common site of EDH (56%). Patients with good GCS before surgery had significantly better outcome (89%) compare to those who had bad GCS (10%). Conclusion: Level of consciousness before surgery is the most important factor affecting the outcome. Hence, early diagnosis and surgical intervention is very essential. Key words: Acute Extradural Haematoma (EDH); Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS); Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS). DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjms.v10i2.7806 Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol.10 No.2 Apr’11 pp.112-120

scholarly journals Simplifying the use of prognostic information in traumatic brain injury. Part 1: The GCS-Pupils score: an extended index of clinical severity

2018 ◽  
Vol 128 (6) ◽  
pp. 1612-1620 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul M. Brennan ◽  
Gordon D. Murray ◽  
Graham M. Teasdale
Keyword(s):  
Patient Outcome ◽  
Mortality Rate ◽  
Glasgow Coma Scale ◽  
Brain Damage ◽  
Unfavorable Outcome ◽  
Simple Arithmetic ◽  
Coma Scale ◽  
Pupil Response ◽  
Gcs Score ◽  
Complex Methods

OBJECTIVEGlasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores and pupil responses are key indicators of the severity of traumatic brain damage. The aim of this study was to determine what information would be gained by combining these indicators into a single index and to explore the merits of different ways of achieving this.METHODSInformation about early GCS scores, pupil responses, late outcomes on the Glasgow Outcome Scale, and mortality were obtained at the individual patient level by reviewing data from the CRASH (Corticosteroid Randomisation After Significant Head Injury; n = 9,045) study and the IMPACT (International Mission for Prognosis and Clinical Trials in TBI; n = 6855) database. These data were combined into a pooled data set for the main analysis.Methods of combining the Glasgow Coma Scale and pupil response data varied in complexity from using a simple arithmetic score (GCS score [range 3–15] minus the number of nonreacting pupils [0, 1, or 2]), which we call the GCS-Pupils score (GCS-P; range 1–15), to treating each factor as a separate categorical variable. The content of information about patient outcome in each of these models was evaluated using Nagelkerke’s R2.RESULTSSeparately, the GCS score and pupil response were each related to outcome. Adding information about the pupil response to the GCS score increased the information yield. The performance of the simple GCS-P was similar to the performance of more complex methods of evaluating traumatic brain damage. The relationship between decreases in the GCS-P and deteriorating outcome was seen across the complete range of possible scores. The additional 2 lowest points offered by the GCS-Pupils scale (GCS-P 1 and 2) extended the information about injury severity from a mortality rate of 51% and an unfavorable outcome rate of 70% at GCS score 3 to a mortality rate of 74% and an unfavorable outcome rate of 90% at GCS-P 1. The paradoxical finding that GCS score 4 was associated with a worse outcome than GCS score 3 was not seen when using the GCS-P.CONCLUSIONSA simple arithmetic combination of the GCS score and pupillary response, the GCS-P, extends the information provided about patient outcome to an extent comparable to that obtained using more complex methods. The greater range of injury severities that are identified and the smoothness of the stepwise pattern of outcomes across the range of scores may be useful in evaluating individual patients and identifying patient subgroups. The GCS-P may be a useful platform onto which information about other key prognostic features can be added in a simple format likely to be useful in clinical practice.

How should a subarachnoid hemorrhage grading scale be determined? A combinatorial approach based solely on the Glasgow Coma Scale

1999 ◽  
Vol 90 (4) ◽  
pp. 680-687 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kiyoshi Takagi ◽  
Akira Tamura ◽  
Tadayoshi Nakagomi ◽  
Hitoshi Nakayama ◽  
Osamu Gotoh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Subarachnoid Hemorrhage ◽  
Glasgow Coma Scale ◽  
Treatment Modalities ◽  
Combinatorial Approach ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Coma Scale ◽  
Break Points ◽  
Grading Scale ◽  
Gcs Score ◽  
Fine Print

Object. The purpose of this study was to present a combinatorial approach used to develop a subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) grading scale based on the patient's preoperative Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score.Methods. There are 4094 different combinations that can be used to compress the 13 scores of the GCS into two to 12 grades. Break points, the positions in the scale in which two adjacent scores connote a significantly different outcome, are obtained by a direct comparison of the GCS and the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS). Guided by the break points, the number of combinations to be considered can be limited. All possible combinations are statistically analyzed with respect to intergrade differences in outcome. Single combinations, with the maximum number of grades having maximum intergrade outcome differences for each corresponding set of adjacent grades, must be selected. The authors verified the validity of this combinatorial approach by retrospectively analyzing 1398 consecutive patients with aneurysmal SAH who underwent surgery within 7 days of the last hemorrhage episode. The patients' GCS scores were assessed just before surgery and their GOS scores were estimated 6 months post-SAH. The combinatorial approach yields only one acceptable grading scale: I (GCS Score 15); II (GCS Scores 11–14); III (GCS Scores 8–10); IV (GCS Scores 4–7); and V (GCS Score 3).Conclusions. The combinatorial approach, guided by the break points, is so simple and systematic that it can be used again in the future when revision of the grading scale becomes necessary after development of new and effective treatment modalities that improve patients' overall outcome.

Determination of Imminent Brain Death Using the Full Outline of Unresponsiveness Score and the Glasgow Coma Scale: A Prospective, Multicenter, Pilot Feasibility Study

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 203-207 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sergio Zappa ◽  
Nazzareno Fagoni ◽  
Michele Bertoni ◽  
Claudio Selleri ◽  
Monica Aida Venturini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Glasgow Coma Scale ◽  
Brain Death ◽  
Brain Stem ◽  
Deep Coma ◽  
Coma Scale ◽  
Four Score ◽  
Gcs Score ◽  
Brain Stem Reflexes ◽  
Pilot Feasibility Study

Purpose: To evaluate the accuracy of the imminent brain death (IBD) diagnosis in predicting brain death (BD) by daily assessment of the Full Outline of Unresponsiveness (FOUR) score and the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) with the assessment of brain stem reflexes. Materials and Methods: Prospective multicenter pilot study carried out in 5 adult Italian intensive care units (ICUs). Imminent brain death was established when the FOUR score was 0 (IBD-FOUR) or the GCS score was 3 and at least 3 among pupillary light, corneal, pharyngeal, carinal, oculovestibular, and trigeminal reflexes were absent (IBD-GCS). Results: A total of 219 neurologic evaluations were performed in 40 patients with deep coma at ICU admission (median GCS 3). Twenty-six had a diagnosis of IBD-FOUR, 27 of IBD-GCS, 14 were declared BD, and 9 were organ donors. The mean interval between IBD diagnosis and BD was 1.7 days (standard deviation [SD] 2.0 days) using IBD-FOUR and 2.0 days (SD 1.96 days) using IBD-GCS. Both FOUR and GCS had 100% sensitivity and low specificity (FOUR: 53.8%; GCS: 50.0%) in predicting BD. Conclusions: Daily IBD evaluation in the ICU is feasible using FOUR and GCS with the assessment of brain stem reflexes. Both scales had 100% sensitivity in predicting IBD, but FOUR may be preferable since it incorporates the pupillary, corneal, and cough reflexes and spontaneous breathing that are easily assessed in the ICU.

scholarly journals Effects of Not Intubating Non-Trauma Patients With Low Glasgow Coma Scale Scores: a Retrospective Study

2022 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 83-90
Author(s):  
Loui K Alsulimani ◽  
Ohoud Baajlan ◽  
Khalid Alghamdi ◽  
Raghad Alahmadi ◽  
Abdullah Bakhsh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Glasgow Coma Scale ◽  
Clinical Characteristics ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Altered Mental Status ◽  
Trauma Patients ◽  
Tertiary Care Centre ◽  
Mortality And Morbidity ◽  
Coma Scale ◽  
Scale Scores ◽  
Gcs Score

Background: Endotracheal intubation (EI) is a critical life-saving procedure commonly performed on emergency department (ED) patients who present with altered mental status (AMS).  Aims: We aimed to investigate the safety of observing, without EI, patients who present to the ED with decreased levels of consciousness (LOC).  Methods: We reviewed the data of all adult ED patients with a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score ≤ 8, during the period between 2012 and 2018, in an academic tertiary care centre. Trauma patients were excluded. The patients were divided into two groups for comparison: those who were intubated and those who were not. Data on mortality, morbidity, and baseline clinical characteristics were collected and analysed.  Results: After screening 6334 electronic medical records of patients presenting to the ED with decreased LOC, only 257 patients met the inclusion criteria. 173 (67.3%) patients were intubated, while 84 (32.7%) were not. Among the intubated patients, 165 (95.4%) were intubated early (within two hours of presentation). Mortality, morbidity and length of stay for the intubated group were higher, although the baseline clinical characteristics were the same.  Conclusion: It might be safe to observe non-trauma emergency patients with a GCS score ≤ 8 without intubation. However, such decision should be taken carefully, as delayed intubation can be associated with higher mortality and morbidity

scholarly journals Correlation of risk factors with Glasgow coma scale to predict the severity and outcome of children with non-traumatic coma

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 1524
Author(s):  
A. Manikanteswara Reddy ◽  
G. Sreedhar ◽  
Gangadhar B. Belavadi
Keyword(s):  
Glasgow Coma Scale ◽  
Hospital Admissions ◽  
Good Prognosis ◽  
Cns Infection ◽  
Coma Scale ◽  
The Family ◽  
Probability Of Death ◽  
Traumatic Coma ◽  
Gcs Score

Background: Non-traumatic coma is the problem of pediatric group, accounts 10-15% in hospital admissions. Assessment of the severity of coma is useful to speculate the survival. The aim was to assess outcome in pediatric non-traumatic coma with role of Glasgow coma scale and modified Glasgow coma scale.Methods: Total of 80 cases of non-traumatic coma between 1 month to 12 years, coma severity was assessed by using Glasgow coma scale. A score of less than 8 and more than 8 were used for analysis of outcome.Results: The maximum number of patents with non-traumatic coma were in the age group of 1 month-5 years, 40 children (50%). On neurological examination 42 (52.5%) children has GCS score of >8, 38 cases (47.5%) has GCS <8, 20 children had meningeal signs, 7 children had cranial nerve deficit (7th nerve), 9 children had decebrate posture. Out of 80 cases, 8 cases expired (10%), 4 cases were discharged against medical advice (4%), 68 cases were improved and discharged (85%), among these, 8 cases were discharged with complication (11.7%). Overall mortality was (10%) (8/80), males outnumbered females in frequency with ratio of 1.28:1. CNS infection accounted for almost about 66%.Conclusions: Children with GCS and MGCS scores of less than 8 have poor prognosis and a very high probability of death. Those with GCS score of more than 8 have good prognosis. Identification of these cases at the outset can help prepare the treating physician to plan critical care referral and to give a preliminary assessment of outcome to the family.

scholarly journals Assessing the effectiveness of the full outline of unresponsiveness scale and the Glasgow coma scale in patients of traumatic head injury

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (12) ◽  
pp. 3583
Author(s):  
Fahad Ansari ◽  
Arvind Rai
Keyword(s):  
Head Injury ◽  
Glasgow Coma Scale ◽  
Youden Index ◽  
Traumatic Head Injury ◽  
Coma Scale ◽  
Medical College ◽  
Traumatic Head ◽  
Four Score ◽  
Gandhi Medical College ◽  
Gcs Score

Background: The Glasgow coma scale (GCS) is the most commonly used scale while the full outline of unresponsiveness (FOUR) score is a new validated coma scale in the evaluation of the level of consciousness in head injury patients. The aim of the study was to compare and assess the effectiveness of the FOUR score and the GCS in patients of traumatic head injury.Methods: This was a prospective observational study conducted in the department of surgery, Gandhi medical college, Bhopal during a 2 year period in which 100 patients of traumatic head injury were evaluated. The FOUR score and GCS score of these patients were assessed on admission and outcome followed for 2 weeks.Results: The mean age group of 100 patients was 25-45 years with 79% male and 21% female patients. The FOUR scale was found to have a marginally higher sensitivity of 65.6% while the GCS had a sensitivity of 64.2%. The FOUR scale however had a higher specificity of 71.5% compared to 66.4% of GCS. The Youden index showed that FOUR scale (46%) has a better prediction for death than GCS (35%). FOUR had a higher accuracy of 75% than GCS with an accuracy of 65%.Conclusions: Both FOUR score and GCS are valuable scales in assessment of traumatic head injury. The FOUR scale however is more accurate than the GCS in predicting outcome of head injury patients. 

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