Articles: traumatic-brain-injuries.
-
Postconcussion syndrome (PCS) has been used to describe a range of residual symptoms that persist 12 months or more after the injury, often despite a lack of evidence of brain abnormalities on magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography scans. In this clinical case series, the efficacy of quantitative EEG-guided neurofeedback in 40 subjects diagnosed with PCS was investigated. Overall improvement was seen in all the primary (Symptom Assessment-45 Questionnaire, Clinical Global Impressions Scale, Hamilton Depression Scale) and secondary measures (Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory, Test of Variables for Attention). ⋯ Thirty-nine subjects were followed up long term with an average follow-up length of 3.1 years (CI = 2.7-3.3). All but 2 subjects were stable and were off medication. Overall neurofeedback treatment was shown to be effective in this group of subjects studied.
-
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major public health issue, producing significant patient mortality and poor long-term outcomes. Increasing evidence suggests an important, yet poorly defined, role for the immune system in the development of secondary neurologic injury over the days and weeks following a TBI. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that peripheral macrophage infiltration initiates long-lasting adaptive immune responses after TBI. ⋯ Functionally, C3H/HeJ (TLR4 mutant) mice reversed M1 macrophage and TH1/TH17 polarization after TBI compared with C3H/OuJ (wild-type) mice. Moreover, brain monocytes isolated from C3H/HeJ mice were less potent stimulators of T lymphocyte proliferation and TH1/TH17 polarization compared with C3H/OuJ monocytes. Taken together, our data implicate TLR4-dependent, M1 macrophage trafficking/polarization into the CNS as a key mechanistic link between acute TBI and long-term, adaptive immune responses.
-
Review Meta Analysis Comparative Study
Craniotomy versus decompressive craniectomy for acute subdural hematoma: systematic review and meta-analysis.
Acute subdural hematoma (SDH) is a major cause of morbidity after severe traumatic brain injury. Surgical evacuation of the hematoma, either via craniotomy or craniectomy, is the mainstay of treatment in patients with progressive neurologic deficits or significant mass effect. However, the decision to perform either procedure remains controversial. ⋯ The safety and efficacy of craniotomy versus decompressive craniectomy in treatment of acute SDH remain controversial. In this study, craniectomy was associated with worse clinical presentation and postoperative outcome compared with craniotomy. However, craniectomy was associated with lower rate of residual SDH after treatment.
-
Critical care medicine · May 2017
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyMortality Risk Stratification After Traumatic Brain Injury and Hazard of Death With Titrated Hypothermia in the Eurotherm3235Trial.
Hypothermia reduces intracranial hypertension in patients with traumatic brain injury but was associated with harm in the Eurotherm3235Trial. We stratified trial patients by International Mission for Prognosis and Analysis of Clinical Trials in [Traumatic Brain Injury] (IMPACT) extended model sum scores to determine where the balance of risks lay with the intervention. ⋯ Hypothermia as a first line measure to reduce intracranial pressure to less than 20 mm Hg is harmful in patients with a lower severity of injury and no clear benefit exists in patients with more severe injuries.
-
In the setting of trauma, the cause of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) is frequently attributed to the physical, traumatic event. Caution should still be directed toward nontraumatic (or spontaneous) causes responsible for the trauma, such as hypertension, cerebral amyloid angiopathy, aneurysms, vascular malformation, and hemorrhagic infarcts. The role for immediate computed tomography angiography remains controversial to evaluate for nontraumatic causes. ⋯ ICH in patients with traumatic brain injury seems to be vastly associated with the traumatic event. Only rare cases have been attributed to aneurysmal rupture. None has been associated with arteriovenous malformation. Nevertheless, clinical vigilance remains reasonable, especially in younger patients and those with hemorrhage within the subarachnoid cisterns or sylvian fissure.