Articles: traumatic-brain-injuries.
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Brain injury : [BI] · Jan 2015
Subdural hygroma following decompressive craniectomy or non-decompressive craniectomy in patients with traumatic brain injury: Clinical features and risk factors.
Subdural hygroma (SDG) is a common complication that can occur after head trauma or secondary to decompressive craniectomy (DC). SDGs can be located not only ipsilateral or contralateral to the side of the DC, but also bilateral or unilateral in patients without DC. This study investigated the incidence and risk factors for different types of SDG in a large cohort of patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI). ⋯ This study suggested that the incidence of SDG in patients who have and have not undergone DC was identical; however, the patients' characteristics and risk factors differed. Therefore, the management and prediction of SDG should be performed according to SDG type.
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Traumatic brain injuries and other blast-related injuries have been identified as the signature injury of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Some operational units in Iraq, especially those responsible for clearing roadways, were exposed to hundreds of blast incidents and thousands of individual doses of concussive energy during their lengthy deployments. Using operational records maintained by a single command element, the researchers conducted a retrospective cohort study evaluating the association between estimated individual exposures to blasts and the risk for postconcussion syndrome (PCS) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). ⋯ This study suggests that estimating the total individual dosage to concussive forces through physical evidence at the scene could be a useful predictor of future brain-disorder diagnoses. Those in vehicles sustaining heavy blast damage are at increased risk of being diagnosed with PTSD with a rate ratio of 2.79 (95% CI, 1.27-6.13) and PTSD in conjunction with PCS with a rate ratio of 4.10 (95% CI, 1.63-10.28). Standardization of the data collection method for blast incidents and additional follow-up studies could lead to the development of better ways of monitoring operational risk factors for negative health outcomes, plans to intervene in order to minimize health risks, and establish customized follow-up protocols based on specific dosage thresholds.
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Brain injury : [BI] · Jan 2015
Prevalence and predictors of affective lability after paediatric traumatic brain injury.
Paediatric severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) is associated with significant post-injury affective and behavioural problems. Few studies have examined the prevalence and characteristics of affective lability after paediatric TBI. ⋯ Affective lability is common after paediatric TBI and frequently manifests as irritability and unpredictable outbursts. Early intervention is needed to improve psychiatric outcomes.
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Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the most established environmental risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD), but it is unclear if TBI is specifically associated with early-onset AD (EOAD). ⋯ These findings suggest, but do not establish, that TBI is a specific risk factor for EOAD and may lead to disinhibition, a feature that often results from the frontal effects of head injury. This study recommends further research on the effects of TBI in EOAD in larger numbers of participants.
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Non-neurological complications like acute kidney injury (AKI) can affect outcome of traumatic brain injury (TBI). This study aims to analyze the incidence, predictive factors, and impact of AKI in operated patients with severe TBI. ⋯ Reversible AKI without need for RRT occurred in nearly 12% of patients with severe TBI requiring surgical intervention. Aminoglycoside therapy was the only predictive factor for the occurrence of AKI. Patients with AKI have a longer period of mechanical ventilation, longer ICU and hospital stay, and poorer GCS at discharge.