Early Perihematomal Edema Expansion: Definition, Significance, and Association with Outcomes after Intracerebral Hemorrhage

Objective. To investigate the association between early perihematomal edema (PHE) expansion and functional outcome in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Methods. Patients with ICH who underwent initial computed tomography (CT) scans within 6 hours after the onset of symptoms and follow-up CT scans within 24 ± 12 hours were included. Absolute PHE increase was defined as the absolute increase in PHE volume from baseline to 24 hours. A receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve was generated to determine the cutoff value for early PHE expansion, which was operationally defined as an absolute increase in PHE volume of >6 mL. The outcome of interest was 3-month poor outcome defined as modified Rankin scale score of ≥4. A multivariable logistic regression procedure was used to assess the association between early PHE expansion and outcome after ICH. Results. In 233 patients with ICH, 89 (38.2%) patients had poor outcome at 3-month follow-up. Early PHE expansion was observed in 56 of 233 (24.0%) patients. Patients with early PHE expansion were more likely to have poor functional outcome than those without (43.8% vs. 11.8%, p < 0.001 ). After adjusting for age, admission systolic blood pressure, admission Glasgow Coma Scale score, baseline ICH volume and the presence of intraventricular hemorrhage, and time from onset to CT, early PHE expansion was associated with poor outcome (adjusted odds ratio, 4.25; 95% confidence interval, 1.70–10.60; p = 0.002 ). Conclusions. The early PHE expansion was not uncommon in patients with ICH and was correlated with poor outcome following ICH.

Admission Glasgow Coma Scale Score as a Predictor of Outcome in Patients Without Traumatic Brain Injury

Background The Glasgow Coma Scale was developed in 1974 as an injury severity score to assess and predict outcome after traumatic brain injury. The tool is now used to score depth of impaired consciousness in patients with and without traumatic brain injury. However, evidence supporting the use of the Glasgow Coma Scale in the latter group is limited. Objective To assess Glasgow Coma Scale score on hospital admission as a predictor of outcome in patients without traumatic brain injury. Methods This was a secondary analysis of prospectively collected data from 3507 patients admitted to 4 hospitals between October 2015 and October 2019. Patients with a primary diagnosis of traumatic brain injury were excluded from this study. Results The mean age of the 3507 participants in the study was 57 years. Participants were primarily female (52%), White (77%), and non-Hispanic (89%). On admission, 90% of patients had a modified Rankin Scale score of 0 to 3 and 72% had a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 13 to 15 (mild injury). Generalized estimating equation modeling indicated that admission Glasgow Coma Scale score did not predict modified Rankin Scale score at discharge in patients not diagnosed with traumatic brain injury (Glasgow Coma Scale score &lt;8: z = −7.89, P &lt; .001; Glasgow Coma Scale score 8-12: z = −4.17, P &lt; .001). Conclusions The Glasgow Coma Scale is not recommended for use in patients without traumatic brain injury; clinicians should use a more appropriate and validated clinical assessment instrument for this patient population.

Coagulopathy and its effect on treatment and mortality in patients with traumatic intracranial hemorrhage

Background The role of coagulopathy in patients with traumatic brain injury has remained elusive. In the present study, we aim to assess the prevalence of coagulopathy in patients with traumatic intracranial hemorrhage, their clinical features, and the effect of coagulopathy on treatment and mortality. Methods An observational, retrospective single-center cohort of consecutive patients with traumatic intracranial hemorrhage treated at Helsinki University Hospital between 01 January and 31 December 2010. We compared clinical and radiological parameters in patients with and without coagulopathy defined as drug- or disease-induced, i.e., antiplatelet or anticoagulant medication at a therapeutic dose, thrombocytopenia (platelet count < 100 E9/L), international normalized ratio > 1.2, or thromboplastin time < 60%. Primary outcome was 30-day all-cause mortality. Logistic regression analysis allowed to assess for factors associated with coagulopathy and mortality. Results Of our 505 patients (median age 61 years, 65.5% male), 206 (40.8%) had coagulopathy. Compared to non-coagulopathy patients, coagulopathy patients had larger hemorrhage volumes (mean 140.0 mL vs. 98.4 mL, p < 0.001) and higher 30-day mortality (18.9% vs. 9.7%, p = 0.003). In multivariable analysis, older age, lower admission Glasgow Coma Scale score, larger hemorrhage volume, and conservative treatment were independently associated with mortality. Surgical treatment was associated with lower mortality in both patients with and without coagulopathy. Conclusions Coagulopathy was more frequent in patients with traumatic intracranial hemorrhage presenting larger hemorrhage volumes compared to non-coagulopathy patients but was not independently associated with higher 30-day mortality. Hematoma evacuation, in turn, was associated with lower mortality irrespective of coagulopathy.

Global Characterisation of Coagulopathy in Isolated Traumatic Brain Injury (iTBI): A CENTER-TBI Analysis

Background Trauma-induced coagulopathy in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) is associated with high rates of complications, unfavourable outcomes and mortality. The mechanism of the development of TBI-associated coagulopathy is poorly understood. Methods This analysis, embedded in the prospective, multi-centred, observational Collaborative European NeuroTrauma Effectiveness Research in Traumatic Brain Injury (CENTER-TBI) study, aimed to characterise the coagulopathy of TBI. Emphasis was placed on the acute phase following TBI, primary on subgroups of patients with abnormal coagulation profile within 4 h of admission, and the impact of pre-injury anticoagulant and/or antiplatelet therapy. In order to minimise confounding factors, patients with isolated TBI (iTBI) (n = 598) were selected for this analysis. Results Haemostatic disorders were observed in approximately 20% of iTBI patients. In a subgroup analysis, patients with pre-injury anticoagulant and/or antiplatelet therapy had a twice exacerbated coagulation profile as likely as those without premedication. This was in turn associated with increased rates of mortality and unfavourable outcome post-injury. A multivariate analysis of iTBI patients without pre-injury anticoagulant therapy identified several independent risk factors for coagulopathy which were present at hospital admission. Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) less than or equal to 8, base excess (BE) less than or equal to − 6, hypothermia and hypotension increased risk significantly. Conclusion Consideration of these factors enables early prediction and risk stratification of acute coagulopathy after TBI, thus guiding clinical management.

Subarachnoid Haemorrhage in an Elderly Patient with Comorbidities

Subdural hemorrhage is usually caused by a traumatic injury. Other risk factors that may lead to subdural hemorrhage include: hypertension, anticoagulants, elderly, alcohol abuse, vascular abnormalities etc. Mortality range is between 50% and 90% depending on age, admission Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) and anticoagulant treatment. We present a case of 74-year old patient, female, known for diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, chronic heart failure, receiving anticoagulant treatment, bronchial asthma who develops a posttraumatic massive chronic subdural hematoma accompanied by comorbidities.

THE PREVALENCE AND CLINICAL PROFILE OF PATIENTS PRESENTED WITH POSTERIOR FOSSA EXTRA DURAL HEMATOMA IN TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL: A RETROSPECTIVE OBSERVATIONAL STUDY.

Aim: to determine the prevalence and clinical profile of patients presented with posterior fossa extra dural hematoma. Materials and Methods: The present retrospective observational study was conducted in the Department of Neurosurgery, SKMCH, Muzaffarpur, Bihar, India. The records were retrospectively analyzed for clinical presentation, admission Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), mode of injury, type of intervention and postoperative outcome. Outcomes were assessed on the basis of Glasgow Outcome Score (GOS) at the time of discharge and at 3 months Results: Of these 39 patients, 28 were males and 11 females. The mean age of patients was 29.21 years. 24 patients had GCS 13-15 at admission followed by 9 with GCS 9-12 and only 5 of them had GCS <9 at admission. Mean EDH volume was 28.7 ml. 36 patients were operated, 5 patients managed conservatively. Conclusion: The posterior fossa is an uncommon site for epidural haematomas. Due to the small volume of the posterior fossa and contained important structures mortality can be high if the haematoma is missed. Clinical progress is silent and slow, but the deterioration is sudden and quick to become fatal if not promptly treated. Early recognition is extremely important. Keywords: Extradural hematoma, Posteriors fossa, GCS, Trauma

Race/ethnicity influences outcomes in young adults with supratentorial intracerebral hemorrhage

ObjectivesWe investigated the predictors of functional outcome in young patients enrolled in a multiethnic study of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH).MethodsThe Ethnic/Racial Variations in Intracerebral Hemorrhage (ERICH) study is a prospective multicenter study of ICH among adult (age ≥18 years) non-Hispanic white, non-Hispanic black, and Hispanic participants. The study recruited 1,000 participants per racial/ethnic group. The present study utilized the subset of ERICH participants aged <50 years with supratentorial ICH. Functional outcome was ascertained using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at 3 months. Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with poor outcome (mRS 4–6), and analyses were compared by race/ethnicity to identify differences across these groups.ResultsOf the 3,000 patients with ICH enrolled in ERICH, 418 were studied (mean age 43 years, 69% male), of whom 48 (12%) were white, 173 (41%) were black, and 197 (47%) were Hispanic. For supratentorial ICH, black participants (odds ratio [OR], 0.42; p = 0.046) and Hispanic participants (OR, 0.34; p = 0.01) had better outcomes than white participants after adjustment for other factors associated with poor outcome: age, baseline disability, admission blood pressure, admission Glasgow Coma Scale score, ICH volume, deep ICH location, and intraventricular extension.ConclusionsIn young patients with supratentorial ICH, black and Hispanic race/ethnicity is associated with better functional outcomes, compared with white race. Additional studies are needed to identify the biological and social mediators of this association.

The Utility of Thromboelastography for Predicting the Risk of Post-Traumatic Cerebral Infarction in Traumatic Brain Injury

INTRODUCTION Post-traumatic cerebral infarction (PTCI) is a severe secondary insult of head injury and often leads to a poor prognosis. Hemocoagulation disorder is recognized to have important effects on hemorrhagic or ischemic damages. We sought to assess if post-traumatic coagulopathy determined using thrombelastography was associated with cerebral infarction after head trauma. METHODS We prospectively reviewed 316 patients with head trauma to evaluate the effects of demographics, admission Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score, and TEG data on the development of PTCI. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent risk factors. RESULTS Patients with PTCI had a shorter R, greater a-Angle, and shorter K, indicating faster clotting. Additionally, TEG results were independently associated with an increased risk of PTCI. CONCLUSION TEG demonstrates that many PTCI patients are hypercoaguable and the risk of developing PTCI may be higher in patients with a shorter R, greater a-Angle, and shorter K.

Spontaneous Subarachnoid Haemorrhage in Neurological Setting in Burkina Faso: Clinical Profile, Causes, and Mortality Risk Factors

To determine the prevalence, clinical profile, causes, and mortality risk factors of spontaneous arachnoid haemorrhage at Yalgado Ouedraogo University teaching Hospital, we conducted a 5-year retrospective study of 1803 stroke patients admitted to Neurology Department during the period from January 2012 to December 2016. During the study period, spontaneous subarachnoid haemorrhage accounted for 3.2 % of all stroke. The mean age of patients was 60 years (range 20-93 years). There was a female predominance in 55.9%. The common vascular risk factors were hypertension (79.7%) and chronic alcohol consumption (16.9%). The main symptoms were headache (76.2%), motor weakness (74.5%), and consciousness disorders (62.7%). Neurological examination revealed limb weakness in 76.2% and meningeal irritation in 47.4%. The best admission Glasgow Coma Scale score of 15 was found only in 37.3 % of patients. About 50.8% of patients were admitted to Hunt and Hess moderate grade (III) resulting in a mortality of 24.80%. The main cause of spontaneous subarachnoid haemorrhage was hypertension (77.9%). Cause could not be determined in 8.5 % of cases. The mortality rate was 37.3%. There was high mortality in patients with intraventricular haemorrhage and in patients with disturbances of consciousness. In conclusion, our study showed a poor frequency of spontaneous subarachnoid haemorrhage with high mortality. Hypertension was the most common cause of spontaneous subarachnoid haemorrhage.