Through the looking glass: early non-invasive imaging in TBI predicts the need for interventions

Trauma Surgery & Acute Care Open
Jacob GlaserThomas Scalea

Abstract

Early diagnosis and treatment of traumatic brain injury (TBI) lead to better outcomes. It is difficult to predict which patients benefit from specialised centres, leading to over triage or delay in definitive care. We propose that a non-invasive test comprising optic nerve sheath ultrasound, transcranial Doppler and quantitative papillary reactivity is feasible, correlates with CT findings and may allow for accurate early identification of TBI. A 1-year, prospective observation study evaluated a low-risk, non-invasive method of assessing brain injury. Patients underwent a non-invasive neurological examination for trauma, including the above assessments. Data from the three examinations were collected within 6 hours of injury and at 24 hours, and were analysed. Demographics, haemodynamic data, imaging results and short-term outcomes/interventions were recorded. Trauma patients over the age of 18 years, with a Glascow coma scale (GCS) of <12 or CT evidence of TBI, and intubated were included (N=100). These were divided into +CT (n=49) and -CT groups (n=51) according to the Marshall CT classification of TBI. The +CT group was older, with worse GCS and higher lactate (p=0.008, p=0.001 and p=0.01) but were otherwise well matched. Th...Continue Reading

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