Do high-risk head trauma sports athletes have impaired vestibular function?

PURPOSE: The primary aim of this study was to examine the vestibular function of athletes involved in high-risk head trauma sports by means of complete vHIT testing of all six semicircular canals (SCCs). The secondary objective was to investigate whether the vestibular function is significantly reduced among athletes within certain high-risk sports. METHODS: A prospective cross-sectional study of 137 adult athletes in football, handball, boxing, horseback riding, and ice hockey with a minimum of one reported sports-related head injury within the past five years. All subjects underwent screening with a complete examination of all six SCCs with vHIT and fulfillment of the dizziness handicap inventory (DHI). RESULTS: Two subjects (1.5 %) fulfilled the criteria of having a pathological vHIT. Some degree of impairment of the vestibular function was seen when data was divided into individual sports and time since the last head injury. Likewise, no subjective dizziness was seen in the group of athletes when evaluated by total DHI scores. This score did not differ significantly between groups when subgrouped into number of head injuries or time since the last head injury. When divided into type of sport, total DHI scores differed significantly between groups. These total DHI-scores did, however, all fall within the range of the "no dizziness handicap" classification. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that the vestibular function of athletes in high-risk head trauma sports is unaffected by the practice of a high-risk head trauma sport. Therefore, vHIT has no clinical utility in the assessment of a sports-related concussion (SRC) in athletes with no subjective feeling of dizziness.

Incidence and Prevalence of Concussion in Denmark from 1999-2018: A Nationwide Cohort Study.

Concussion is a common diagnosis in emergency rooms, yet contemporary incidence and prevalence estimates are sparse and rely on self-reported data. A nationwide cohort study was conducted to provide up-to-date information, covering the entire Danish population from 1999 to 2018. Hospital contacts with a concussion diagnosis, including emergency room visits, hospital admissions, and outpatient contacts, were retrieved from the Danish National Patient Registry (DNPR), and incidence rates were age-standardized and stratified. The 20-year prevalence was defined as the percentage of Danes alive in 2018 who had experienced a concussion since 1999. The diagnostic codes used were the ICD-10 code S06.0 and a local Danish code for 'observation for concussion' (DZ033D). Additional data on activities related to concussion injuries were obtained from the Accident Analysis Group at Odense University Hospital through DNPR. Findings from the study indicated that during the period 1999-2018, the total age-standardized concussion incidence rate increased by 10% to 308 per 100,000 person-years (95% confidence interval (CI): 304-313). Notable time trends included 1) a reduced sex difference from 40% to 6% (95% CI: 3%-9%), 2) a doubled incidence rate in children aged 0-1 and in seniors aged over 80, 3) an increased utilization of head imaging across all age groups, except children, 4) a decline in the proportion of traffic-related concussions, and 5) a prevalence of concussion of 4.9% (95% CI: 4.89% - 4.93%) in 2018. The increasing incidence of concussions among the elderly is concerning in light of an aging population, and warrants further investigation, as evidence-based preventive interventions for falls exist. Additionally, the increased utilization of head imaging across all age groups except children calls for attention toward avoidance of unnecessary radiation exposure. Despite a drop in traffic-related cases, concussions remain highly prevalent. In conclusion, these findings indicate that concussions are an important public health concern, necessitating ongoing surveillance, research, and targeted resource allocation to address concussion management and prevention effectively.

Volumetric assessment of traumatic intracranial hematomas: is ABC/2 reliable?

Accurate measurement of traumatic intracranial hematoma volume is important for assessing disease progression and prognosis, as well as serving as an important endpoint in clinical trials aimed at preventing hematoma expansion. While the ABC/2 formula has traditionally been used for volume estimation in spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage, its adaptation to traumatic hematomas lacks validation. This study aimed to compare the accuracy of ABC/2 with computer-assisted volumetric analysis (CAVA) in estimating the volumes of traumatic intracranial hematomas. We performed a dual-center observational study that included adult patients with moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury. Volumes of intracerebral (ICH), subdural (SDH), and epidural hematomas (EDH) from admission CT scans were measured using ABC/2 and CAVA, and compared using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test, Spearman's rank correlation, Lin's concordance correlation coefficient (CCC), and Bland-Altman plots. Prognostic significance for outcomes were evaluated through logistic and linear regression models. In total, 1,179 patients with 1,543 hematomas were included. Despite a high correlation (Spearman coefficients between 0.95 and 0.98) and excellent concordance (Lin's CCC from 0.89 to 0.96) between ABC/2 and CAVA, ABC/2 overestimated hematoma volumes compared to CAVA, in some instances exceeding 50 ml. Bland-Altman analysis highlighted wide limits of agreement, especially in SDH. While both methods demonstrated comparable accuracy in predicting outcomes, CAVA was slightly better at predicting craniotomies and midline shift. We conclude that while ABC/2 provides a generally reliable volumetric assessment suitable for descriptive purposes and as baseline variables in studies, CAVA should be the gold standard in clinical situations and studies requiring more precise volume estimations, such as those using hematoma expansion as an outcome.

Predicting and improving outcome in severe pediatric traumatic brain injury.

INTRODUCTION: Severe pediatric traumatic brain injury (spTBI), including abusive head trauma (AHT) in young children, is a major public health problem. Long-term consequences of spTBI include a large variety of physical, neurological, biological, cognitive, behavioral and social deficits and impairments. AREAS COVERED: The present narrative review summarizes studies and reviews published from January 2019 to February 2024 on spTBI. Significant papers published before 2019 were also included. The article gives coverage to the causes of spTBI, its epidemiology and fatality rates; disparities, inequalities, and socioeconomic factors; critical care; outcomes; and interventions. EXPERT OPINION: There are disparities between countries and according to socio-economic factors regarding causes, treatments and outcomes of spTBI. AHT has an overall poor outcome. Adherence to critical care guidelines is imperfect and the evidence-base of guidelines needs further investigations. Neuroimaging and biomarker predictors of outcomes is a rapidly evolving domain. Long-term cognitive, behavioral and psychosocial difficulties are the most prevalent and disabling. Their investigation should make a clear distinction between objective (clinical examination, cognitive tests, facts) and subjective measures (estimations using patient- and proxy-reported questionnaires), considering possible common source bias in reported difficulties. Family/caregiver-focused interventions, ecological approaches, and use of technology in delivery of interventions are recommended to improve long-term difficulties after spTBI.

Repetitive mild closed-head injury induced synapse loss and increased local BOLD-fMRI signal homogeneity.

Repeated mild head injuries due to sports, or domestic violence and military service are increasingly linked to debilitating symptoms in the long term. Although symptoms may take decades to manifest, potentially treatable neurobiological alterations must begin shortly after injury. Better means to diagnose and treat traumatic brain injuries, requires an improved understanding of the mechanisms underlying progression and means through which they can be measured. Here, we employ a repetitive mild closed-head injury (rmTBI) and chronic variable stress (CVS) mouse model to investigate emergent structural and functional brain abnormalities. Brain imaging is achieved with [18F]SynVesT-1 positron emission tomography, with the synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2A ligand marking synapse density and BOLD (blood-oxygen-level-dependent) functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Animals were scanned six weeks after concluding rmTBI/Stress procedures. Injured mice showed widespread decreases in synaptic density coupled with an increase in local BOLD-fMRI synchrony detected as regional homogeneity. Injury-affected regions with higher synapse density showed a greater increase in fMRI regional homogeneity. Taken together, these observations may reflect compensatory mechanisms following injury. Multimodal studies are needed to provide deeper insights into these observations.

Incidence and outcomes of delayed intracranial hemorrhage: a population-based cohort study.

Head trauma is a common reason for emergency department (ED) visits. Delayed intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) in patients with minor head trauma is a major concern, but controversies exist regarding the incidence of delayed ICH and discharge planning at the ED. This study aimed to determine the incidence of delayed ICH in adults who developed ICH after a negative initial brain computed tomography (CT) at the ED and investigate the clinical outcomes for delayed ICH. This nationwide population cohort study used data from the National Health Insurance Service of Korea from 2013 to 2019. Adult patients who presented to an ED due to trauma and were discharged after a negative brain CT examination were selected. The main outcomes were the incidence of ICH within 14 days after a negative brain CT at initial ED visit and the clinical outcomes of patients with and without delayed ICH. The study patients were followed up to 1 year after the initial ED discharge. Cox proportional hazard regression analysis was used to estimate the hazard ratio for all-cause 1-year mortality of delayed ICH. During the 7-year study period, we identified 626,695 adult patients aged 20 years or older who underwent brain CT at the ED due to minor head trauma, and 2666 (0.4%) were diagnosed with delayed ICH within 14 days after the first visit. Approximately two-thirds of patients (64.3%) were diagnosed with delayed ICH within 3 days, and 84.5% were diagnosed within 7 days. Among the patients with delayed ICH, 71 (2.7%) underwent neurosurgical intervention. After adjustment for age, sex, Charlson Comorbidity Index, and insurance type, delayed ICH (adjusted hazard ratio, 2.15; 95% confidence interval, 1.86-2.48; p < 0.001) was significantly associated with 1-year mortality. The incidence of delayed ICH was 0.4% in the general population, with the majority diagnosed within 7 days. These findings suggest that patient discharge education for close observation for a week may be a feasible strategy for the general population.

Update on the role of S100B in traumatic brain injury in pediatric population: a meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Cranial computed tomography (CT) scan is the most widely used tool to rule out intracranial lesions after pediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI). However, in pediatric population, the radiation exposure can lead to an increased risk of hematological and brain neoplasm. Defined in 2019 National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines as "troponins for the brain", serum biomarkers measurements, particularly S100B, have progressively emerged as a supplementary tool in the management of TBI thanks to their capacity to predict intracranial post-traumatic lesions. METHODS: This systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA protocol (preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses). No chronological limits of study publications were included. Studies reporting data from children with TBI undergoing serum S100B measurement and computed tomography (CT) scans were included. RESULTS: Of 380 articles screened, 10 studies met the inclusion criteria. Patients admitted with mild-TBI in the Emergency Department (ED) were 1325 (80.25%). The overall pooled sensitivity and specificity were 98% (95% CI, 92-99%) and 45% (95% CI, 29-63%), respectively. The meta-analysis revealed a high negative predictive value (NVP) (99%; 95% CI, 94-100%) and a low positive predictive value (PPV) (41%; 95% CI, 16-79%). Area under the curve (AUC) was 76% (95% CI, 65-85%). The overall pooled negative predictive value (NPV) was 99% (95% CI, 99-100%). CONCLUSIONS: The measurement of serum S100B in the diagnostic workflow of mTBI could help informed decision-making in the ED setting, potentially safely reducing the use of CT scan in the pediatric population. The high sensitivity and excellent negative predictive values look promising and seem to be close to the values found in adults. Despite this, it must be pointed out the high heterogeneity (> 90%) found among studies. In order for S100B to be regularly introduced in the pediatric workflow for TBI, it is important to conduct further studies to obtain cut-off levels based on pediatric reference intervals.

The Florida Geriatric Head Trauma CT Clinical Decision Rule.

BACKGROUND: Several clinical decision rules have been devised to guide head computed tomography (CT) use in patients with minor head injuries, but none have been validated in patients 65 years or older. We aimed to derive and validate a head injury clinical decision rule for older adults. METHODS: We conducted a secondary analysis of an existing dataset of consecutive emergency department (ED) patients >65 years old with blunt head trauma. The main predictive outcomes were significant intracranial injury and Need for Neurosurgical Intervention on CT. The secondary outcomes also considered in the model development and validation were All Injuries and All Intracranial Injuries. Predictor variables were identified using multiple variable logistic regression, and clinical decision rule models were developed in a split-sample derivation cohort and then tested in an independent validation cohort. RESULTS: Of 5776 patients, 233 (4.0%) had significant intracranial injury and an additional 104 (1.8%) met CT criteria for Need for Neurosurgical Intervention. The best performing model, the Florida Geriatric Head Trauma CT Clinical Decision Rule, assigns points based on several clinical variables. If the points totaled 25 or more, a CT scan is indicated. The included predictors were arrival via Emergency Medical Services (+30 points), Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) <15 (+20 points), GCS <14 (+50 points), antiplatelet medications (+17 points), loss of consciousness (+16 points), signs of basilar skull fracture (+50 points), and headache (+20 points). Utilizing this clinical decision rule in the validation cohort, a point total ≥25 had a sensitivity and specificity of 100.0% (95% CI: 96.0-100) and 12.3% (95% CI: 10.9-13.8), respectively, for significant intracranial injury and Need for Neurosurgical Intervention. CONCLUSIONS: The Florida Geriatric Head Trauma CT Clinical Decision Rule has the potential to reduce unnecessary CT scans in older adults, without compromising safe emergency medicine practice.

The Cumulative Incidence of Post-Traumatic Epilepsy After Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: A Systematic Review and Individual Participant Data Meta-Analysis Protocol.

A precise understanding of the latency to post-traumatic epilepsy (PTE) following a traumatic brain injury (TBI) is necessary for optimal patient care. This precision is currently lacking despite a surprising number of available data sources that could address this pressing need. Following guidance from the Cochrane Collaboration and Joanna Briggs Institute, we conduct a systematic review to address the research questions: What is the cumulative incidence of PTE following mild TBI (mTBI; concussion), and what is the distribution of the latency to onset? We designed a comprehensive search of medical databases and gray literature sources. Citations will be screened on both abstract and full-text levels, independently and in duplicate. Studies will be evaluated for risk of bias independently and in duplicate using published instruments specific to incidence/prevalence studies. Data will be abstracted independently and in duplicate using piloted extraction forms. Disagreements will be resolved by consensus or third-party adjudication. Evidence synthesis will involve pairwise and individual participant data meta-analysis with heterogeneity explored via a set of predetermined subgroups. The robustness of the findings will be subjected to sensitivity analyses based on the risk of bias, outlier studies, and mTBI definitional criteria. The overall certainty in the estimates will be reported using GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations). This protocol presents an innovative and impactful approach to build on the growing body of knowledge surrounding post-mTBI PTE. Through a precise understanding of the latency period, this study can contribute to early detection, tailored interventions, and improved outcomes, leading to a substantial impact on patient care and quality of life.

"Roberto Rodríguez" General Teaching Hospital of Moron, Ciego De Avila, Cuba, Neurosurgery and Pediatric Intensive Care Services Pediatric Neuromonitoring in Severe Head Trauma.

Among all types of trauma in children, traumatic brain injury has the greatest potential for the development of devastating consequences, with nearly three million affected each year in the world. A controlled, nonrandomized experimental study was carried out in pediatric patients with severe traumatic brain injury, whose objective was to evaluate the use of continuous multimodal neuromonitoring (MMN) of intracranial parameters as a guide in the treatment of children of different age-groups. The patients were divided into two groups according to the treatment received; clinical and imaging monitoring was performed in both. Group I included those whose treatment was guided by MMN of intracranial parameters such as intracranial pressure, cerebral perfusion pressure, and intracranial compliance, and group II included those who had only clinical and imaging monitoring. Eighty patients were studied, 41 in group I and 39 in group II. There were no significant differences between the groups with respect to the sociodemographic variables and the results; as a consequence, both forms of treatment were outlined, for patients with MMN and for those who only have clinical and imaging monitoring. It is concluded that both treatment schemes can be used depending on technological availability, although the scheme with MMN is optimal.

Pediatric penetrating brain injuries with intact neurological function: Two case reports of a pencil and a toy wheel encounter.

Accidental injuries in the pediatric population are common. The response to injury also differs owing to anatomical and physiological differences in children. While such injuries carry a risk of lifelong morbidity, some cases may follow a benign course despite their distressing appearance. We report two cases of accidentally incurred penetrating trauma in the pediatric population with unusual objects, including a pencil and a toy wheel. Despite their intracranial extension, neither of the patients exhibited any discernible neurological deficits. Penetrating brain injuries require early removal and meticulous perioperative care to minimize the risk of long-term adverse neurological events in children.

Immunonutrition with Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation in Severe TBI: Retrospective Analysis of Patient Characteristics and Outcomes.

Early evidence-based medical interventions to improve patient outcomes after traumatic brain injury (TBI) are lacking. In patients admitted to the ICU after TBI, optimization of nutrition is an emerging field of interest. Specialized enteral nutrition (EN) formulas that include immunonutrition containing omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) have been developed and are used for their proposed anti-inflammatory and proimmune properties; however, their use has not been rigorously studied in human TBI populations. A single-center, retrospective, descriptive observational study was conducted at the LAC + USC Medical Center. Patients with severe TBI (sTBI, Glasgow Coma Scale score ≤ 8) who remained in the ICU for ≥2 weeks and received EN were identified between 2017 and 2022 using the institutional trauma registry. Those who received immunonutrition formulas containing n-3 PUFAs were compared with those who received standard, polymeric EN with regard to baseline characteristics, clinical markers of inflammation and immune function, and short-term clinical outcomes. A total of 151 patients with sTBI were analyzed. Those who received immunonutrition with n-3 PUFA supplementation were more likely to be male, younger, Hispanic/Latinx, and have polytrauma needing non-central nervous system surgery. No differences in clinical markers of inflammation or infection rate were found. In multivariate regression analysis, immunonutrition was associated with reduced hospital length of stay (LOS). ICU LOS was also reduced in the subgroup of patients with polytrauma and TBI. This study identifies important differences in patient characteristics and outcomes associated with the EN formula prescribed. Study results can directly inform a prospective pragmatic study of immunonutrition with n-3 PUFA supplementation aimed to confirm the biomechanistic and clinical benefits of the intervention.

Causes of mortality in military working dog from traumatic injuries.

Introduction: This study aimed to identify the pathophysiologic causes of death following traumatic injuries in military working dogs (MWDs) and determine the risk factors associated with mortality in MWD following traumatic injuries. The results of this study will allow for better targeting of interventions to ameliorate these pathophysiologic causes of death and inform research priorities directed at the pathophysiology that leads to the death of MWDs. Methods: The final dataset for this study was compiled by using two previously established datasets. Based on review of available data and supplemental records (when available), MWDs in which a definitive cause of death could be determined were included in the study population. These MWDs were assigned a cause of death based on categories previously identified in studies evaluating service member casualties. A group of MWDs who survived their traumatic injury and had similar mechanisms of injury and types of injury to the deceased MWDs were included to allow for comparison and establishment of risk factors associated with MWD death. Variables collected included breed, age, sex, mechanism of injury, survival/non-survival, type of trauma, mechanism of injury, pathophysiology that led to death and pre-hospital care provided. Statistical analysis included Fishers exact test for categorical variables and univariable and multivariable logistic regression to identify factors associated with the MWD death. Results: A total of 84 MWDs (33 non-survivors and 51 survivors) were included in this study. Of the 33 MWDs that died, 27 (81.8%) were noted to be dead on arrival. The pathophysiologic causes of death were found to be hemorrhage (45.5% [n = 15]), head trauma (21.2% [n = 7]), catastrophic tissue destruction (15.2% [n = 5]), pneumothorax (9.1% [n = 3]) and one (3% [n = 1]) of each of the following: septic shock, asphyxiation and burns. Military working dogs that did not receive non-DVM care were 3.55 times more likely to die than those that did receive non-DVM care (95% CI 1.03-12.27). The majority of MWDs died of their injuries before reaching veterinary care. Discussion: To increase the survival of MWDs on the battlefield, further research should focus on developing new interventions and techniques to mitigate the effects of the pathophysiology noted to cause MWD death. Furthermore, given that care by a non-DVM was found to be associated with survival, the implementation of pre-hospital care and early resuscitation techniques should be a continued priority for those treating MWDs at both the point of injury and in the prehospital setting.

Mineralizing angiopathy as a rare cause of pediatric stroke: review and report of two cases.

In the Indian subcontinent, traumatic brain injury stands as the leading cause of pediatric stroke, whereas in Europe, it is considered a rare or potentially underdiagnosed factor. The etiology of post-traumatic stroke is unknown, although it has been associated with the presence of calcification in the lenticulostriate arteries, a condition known as "mineralizing angiopathy." The theory suggests that calcified lenticulostriate vessels in a brain with inadequate myelination could have an increased vulnerability to mechanical injuries, which may result in their obstruction. This ischemic stroke associated with mineralizing angiopathy usually occurs after mild traumatic brain injury, with an asymptomatic interval following the trauma. The typical age of presentation is between 6 and 24 months. Children with mineralizing lenticulostriate vasculopathy generally experience a favorable outcome after stroke, with the majority achieving complete or nearly complete recovery of their motor functions. Despite aspirin treatment, a small proportion of children may still face stroke recurrence following repeat head trauma. We present the cases of two male patients with clinical features compatible with childhood stroke after a mild traumatic brain injury.

The Use of Middle Meningeal Artery Embolization to Treat Chronic Subdural Hematoma in the Pediatric Population: A Review of the Literature.

Chronic subdural hematoma (cSDH) is rare in the pediatric population and typically arises from various causes. These include trauma (accidental, non-accidental, or birth-related injuries), coagulopathies (such as hemophilia or von Willebrand disease), vascular malformations (such as arteriovenous malformations), and complications from previous surgeries. These diverse etiologies contribute to the complexity of managing this condition. Although middle meningeal artery (MMA) embolization is proven effective in adults, limited studies have investigated its applicability in pediatrics. This study aims to assess the efficacy, safety, and outcomes of MMA embolization in the pediatric age group, guiding future research and treatment strategies. A systematic review of the literature was conducted using PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase. No restrictions were applied regarding publication status or follow-up duration. The inclusion criteria were studies that integrated MMA embolization as a treatment for cSDH in pediatric patients. Data extracted included patient sample and characteristics, cSDH etiology and characteristics, prior intervention, procedural technique and indication, and clinical and radiological outcomes. Twelve studies were included in the review, comprising a total of 14 patients. There were no randomized clinical trials or large-scale cohort studies. The included literature consisted of 11 case reports and one case series, and the results described a clinical and radiological outcome in a varied mix of patients with different characteristics and backgrounds for cSDH. No neurological complications attributed to MMA embolization were reported. Follow-up showed resolved or decreased size of cSDH in all patients except for one, who experienced hematoma expansion despite treatment. MMA embolization may be considered a primary or adjuvant treatment modality for cSDH in the pediatric population. However, further research is needed to investigate the impact of different etiologies on outcomes and to highlight long-term complications and results.

Early Infantile Diagnosis of Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia Complicated by Child Abuse.

We report a rare case of hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) in a 4-month-old female infant with findings of child abuse. She presented with poor feeding, vomiting, and irritability after a short fall from the bed. Initial evaluation found subdural hematomas, persistent hypoxia, failure to thrive, a frenulum tear, facial lacerations, and bruising. The patient was admitted, and an extensive workup led to the diagnosis of brain and pulmonary arteriovenous malformations and finally the diagnosis of HHT. The subdural hematomas, cutaneous injuries, and oral injury were highly suspicious for child abuse and were reported to Child Protective Services and law enforcement for investigation simultaneous to the medical work-up. Her hospital course was complicated by progressive hypoxemia with radiographic evidence of several large pulmonary arteriovenous malformations, for which she underwent successful embolization. Her head injury was indeterminate for physical abuse in the setting of a medical condition predisposing to intracranial hemorrhage. A few weeks later, she was readmitted with repeat abusive injuries in the form of femur fractures. This case demonstrates the unique diagnostic dilemma when 2 diagnoses are occurring simultaneously-HHT and child abuse-and showcases the importance of a detailed family history, genetic testing, strong multidisciplinary collaboration with a holistic approach and medically informed Child Protective Services systems to ensure accurate diagnoses and safe disposition.

Acute Computer Tomography Findings in Pediatric Accidental Head Trauma-Review.

Head trauma in paediatric patients is a worldwide and constant issue. It is the number one cause for childhood mortality and morbidity. Children of all ages are susceptible to sustaining head trauma and the anatomical characteristics of the region put them in a high-risk category for developing severe traumatic brain injuries. Boys are more frequently victims of accidental head traumas, and their injuries are more severe than those encountered in girls. The mechanisms of the trauma are a determining factor for the types of lesions we find. The traumatic injuries fall into two categories, primary and secondary. Primary traumatic injuries can be severe and life threatening, and their presence needs to be documented in order to set the correct therapeutic conduct. Due to their importance, this pictorial review focuses on them and the images used herein are selected from the database of our hospital. It is important to distinguish each of the different injuries that can be encountered. At the same time, radiologists are advised to remember that for children up to five years of age, some non-accidental imaging findings may appear to coincide with those found in accidental head trauma.

A Case Report of a Positive Antinuclear Ribonucleoprotein Antibody, a Weak-Positive Antinuclear Antibody, Elevated C3 Complement, and Possibly Trauma-Induced Rasmussen's Encephalitis.

A case of a late-onset Rasmussen's encephalitis (RE) presenting with drug-refractory focal epilepsy and progressive hemispheric cerebral atrophy noted on a serial radiologic head scan done on a gentleman in his 30s is presented. A positive antinuclear ribonucleoprotein antibody test, a weak-positive antinuclear antibody test, an elevated C3 complement, and possible trauma were identified as potential causative or promoting factors for RE in this patient. Literature evidence regarding the challenges with the aetiopathogenesis description, diagnosis, and management of this rare condition has been reviewed in this article. Exploring an aetiological-based diagnosis of this condition could open research and interventional opportunities into aetiology-guided management opportunities in this condition.

Effectiveness of hinge craniotomy as an alternative to decompressive craniectomy for acute subdural hematoma.

BACKGROUND: Acute subdural hematoma (ASDH) is a life-threatening condition, and hematoma removal is necessary as a lifesaving procedure when the intracranial pressure is highly elevated. However, whether decompressive craniectomy (DC) or conventional craniotomy (CC) is adequate remains unclear. Hinge craniotomy (HC) is a technique that provides expansion potential for decompression while retaining the bone flap. At our institution, HC is the first-line operation instead of DC for traumatic ASDH, and we present the surgical outcomes. METHODS: From January 1, 2017, to December 31, 2022, 372 patients with traumatic ASDH were admitted to our institution, among whom 48 underwent hematoma evacuation during the acute phase. HC was performed in cases where brain swelling was observed intraoperatively. If brain swelling was not observed, CC was selected. DC was performed only when the brain was too swollen to allow replacement of the bone flap. We conducted a retrospective analysis of patient demographics, prognosis, and subsequent cranial procedures for each technique. RESULTS: Of the 48 patients, 2 underwent DC, 23 underwent HC, and 23 underwent CC. The overall mortality rate was 20.8% (10/48) at discharge and 30.0% (12/40) at 6 months. The in-hospital mortality rates for DC, HC, and CC were 100% (2/2), 21.7% (5/23), and 13.0% (3/23), respectively. Primary brain injury was the cause of death in five patients whose brainstem function was lost immediately after surgery. No fatalities were attributed to the progression of postoperative brain herniation. In only one case, the cerebral contusion worsened after the initial surgery, leading to brain herniation and necessitating secondary DC. CONCLUSIONS: The strategy of performing HC as the first-line operation for ASDH did not increase the mortality rate compared with past surgical reports and required secondary DC in only one case.

Hypersensitivity to BKCa channel opening in persistent post-traumatic headache.

BACKGROUND: Large conductance  calcium-activated potassium (BKCa) channels have been implicated in the neurobiological underpinnings of migraine. Considering the clinical similarities between migraine and persistent post-traumatic headache (PPTH), we aimed to examine whether MaxiPost (a BKCa channel opener) could induce migraine-like headache in persons with PPTH. METHODS: This is a randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled, two-way crossover study from September 2023 to December 2023. Eligible participants were adults with PPTH after mild traumatic brain injury who reported having no personal history of migraine. The randomized participants received a single dose of either MaxiPost (0.05 mg/min) or placebo (isotonic saline) that was infused intravenously over 20 minutes. The two experiment sessions were scheduled at least one week apart to avoid potential carryover effects. The primary endpoint was the induction of migraine-like headache after MaxiPost as compared to placebo within 12 hours of drug administration. The secondary endpoint was the area under the curve (AUC) values for headache intensity scores between MaxiPost and placebo over the same 12-hour observation period. RESULTS: Twenty-one adult participants (comprising 14 females and 7 males) with PPTH were enrolled and completed both experiment sessions. The proportion of participants who developed migraine-like headache was 11 (52%) of 21 participants after MaxiPost infusion, in contrast to four (19%) participants following placebo (P = .02). Furthermore, the median headache intensity scores, represented by AUC values, were higher following MaxiPost than after placebo (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that BKCa channel opening can elicit migraine-like headache in persons with PPTH. Thus, pharmacologic blockade of BKCa channels might present a novel avenue for drug discovery. Additional investigations are nonetheless needed to confirm these insights and explore the therapeutic prospects of BKCa channel blockers in managing PPTH. GOV IDENTIFIER: NCT05378074.