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1.
Alzheimers Dement ; 2024 Oct 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39351900

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Blood-based biomarkers offer a promising approach for the detection of neuropathologies from repetitive head impacts (RHI). We evaluated plasma biomarkers of amyloid, tau, neurodegeneration, and inflammation in former football players. METHODS: The sample included 180 former football players and 60 asymptomatic, unexposed male participants (aged 45-74). Plasma assays were conducted for beta-amyloid (Aß) 40, Aß42, hyper-phosphorylated tau (p-tau) 181+231, total tau (t-tau), neurofilament light (NfL), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), Aß42/p-tau181 and Aß42/Aß40 ratios. We evaluated their ability to differentiate the groups and associations with RHI proxies and traumatic encephalopathy syndrome (TES). RESULTS: P-tau181 and p-tau231(padj = 0.016) were higher and Aß42/p-tau181 was lower(padj = 0.004) in football players compared to controls. Discrimination accuracy for p-tau was modest (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.742). Effects were not attributable to AD-related pathology. Younger age of first exposure (AFE) correlated with higher NfL (padj = 0.03) and GFAP (padj = 0.033). Plasma GFAP was higher in TES-chronic traumatic encephalopathy (TES-CTE) Possible/Probable (padj = 0.008). DISCUSSION: Plasma p-tau181 and p-tau231, GFAP, and NfL may offer some usefulness for the characterization of RHI-related neuropathologies. HIGHLIGHTS: Former football players had higher plasma p-tau181 and p-tau231 and lower Aß42/ptau-181 compared to asymptomatic, unexposed men. Younger age of first exposure was associated with increased plasma NfL and GFAP in older but not younger participants. Plasma GFAP was higher in participants with TES-CTE possible/probable compared to TES-CTE no/suggestive.

2.
NMC Case Rep J ; 11: 237-241, 2024.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39295786

ABSTRACT

Hyperekplexia is a rare neurological disorder that is characterized by an excessive startle response to unexpected stimuli. Recently, heterogeneous causative genes have been identified. Most cases are diagnosed during the neonatal period from hypertonia or stiffness. Adult cases are relatively rare and can cause severe head injury, but they are often misdiagnosed, typically as epilepsy or psychiatric disorders, due to the rarity of the pathology. This report describes a genetically confirmed case of hyperekplexia in an adult with head trauma, highlighting the features of head trauma and discussing potential pitfalls in the diagnosis of adult patients with hyperekplexia.

3.
Cureus ; 16(8): e66768, 2024 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39268254

ABSTRACT

Introduction Head trauma in elderly people is a problem in today's aging society. Elderly people are susceptible to head trauma because of their declining physical function; this tends to be severe. Outcome prediction is important in decision-making regarding treatment strategies; however, there is no unified method for predicting neurological outcomes in elderly patients with head trauma. Methods Elderly patients with head trauma admitted to the Japan Red Cross Narita Hospital between January 2019 and August 2023 were enrolled in this single-center, retrospective observational study. A favorable neurological outcome was defined as a cerebral performance category scale of 1 or 2. Multivariate logistic regression analysis and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis were performed to investigate the association between geriatric trauma outcome scores and outcomes and to evaluate the predictive value of geriatric trauma outcome scores. The primary outcome was a favorable neurological outcome at discharge, and the secondary outcome was in-hospital mortality. Results A total of 313 elderly patients with head trauma were eligible for analysis. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the geriatric trauma outcome score was significantly associated with a favorable neurological outcome at discharge (odds ratio 0.94, P <0.0001). In the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, the geriatric trauma outcome score had a good predictive value for favorable neurological outcomes at discharge (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve 0.83). Conclusions The geriatric trauma outcome score had good predictive value for favorable neurological outcomes at discharge in elderly patients with head trauma and has the potential to aid in decision-making regarding treatment strategies for elderly patients with head trauma.

4.
J Emerg Med ; 2024 Jun 13.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39271405

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Delayed intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) after head injury in older patients taking anticoagulants has been reported to be as high as 7.2%. Other studies suggest much lower rates. Its incidence and clinical management are controversial, with some recommending observation and repeat head imaging at 24 h. OBJECTIVE: Our study aims to assess the incidence of delayed ICH in geriatric Emergency Department (ED) head trauma patients prescribed preinjury anticoagulants. METHODS: We performed a prospective cohort study conducted at two hospital EDs from August 2019 to July 2020. All patients aged 65 years or older with acute head injury were eligible for enrollment. We conducted telephone follow-up at 14 and 60 days, and a chart review at 90 days. The primary study outcome was incidence of delayed ICH, which was defined as an initial negative head computed tomography scan followed by subsequent ICH believed to be caused by the initial traumatic event. We compared the rates of delayed ICH between patient cohorts based on anticoagulant use. RESULTS: There were 3425 patients enrolled: 2300 (67.2%) were not on an anticoagulant, 249 (7%) were on preinjury warfarin, 780 (22.7%) were on a direct-acting oral anticoagulant, and 96 (2.8%) were on enoxaparin or heparin. The median age was 82 years (interquartile range 65-107), the majority were female (55.2%), and almost all were Caucasian (84.3%). An acute ICH was identified in 229 of 3425 (6.7%, 95% confidence interval 6-8%) and delayed ICH in 13 (0.4%, 95% confidence interval 0.2-0.6%). There were no differences in rates of delayed ICH between those who had been prescribed anticoagulants vs. those who had not (p = 0.45). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of delayed ICH is very low in older ED head trauma patients on prescribed pre-injury anticoagulants. Our data have important clinical implications for the management of blunt head trauma among older ED patients on anticoagulants.

5.
Brain Inj ; : 1-11, 2024 Sep 22.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39306858

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Former professional collision sport (CS) athletes, particularly American football players, are at risk of developing chronic health conditions; however, little is known about the health outcomes of amateur athletes. METHODS: A 60-item health survey examined self-reported symptoms and diagnoses among former Division 1 Collegiate CS athletes and non- or limited-contact sport (non-CS) athletes. Binary logistic regressions tested the association between playing CS and health outcomes. RESULTS: Five hundred and two (6.2%) participants completed the survey: 160 CS athletes (mean age: 59.2, SD = 16.0) and 303 non-CS athletes (mean age: 54.0, SD = 16.9). CS athletes had increased odds of reported cognitive complaints and neuropsychiatric symptoms including memory (Padj < 0.01), attention/concentration (Padj = 0.01), problem solving/multi-tasking (Padj = 0.05), language (Padj = 0.02), anxiety (Padj = 0.04), impulsivity (Padj = 0.02), short-fuse/rage/explosivity (Padj < 0.001), and violence/aggression (Padj = 0.02). CS athletes also reported higher rates of sleep apnea (Padj = 0.02). There were no group differences in cardiovascular and physical health outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Former CS athletes reported more cognitive and neuropsychiatric complaints. The low response rate is a limitation of this study; however, over 500,000 athletes play college sports each year, thus research on long-term health outcomes in this population is critical.

6.
Acta Paediatr ; 2024 Sep 23.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39310951

ABSTRACT

AIM: The aim of this study is to describe circumstances, management and short-term outcomes of neonatal head trauma, and adherence to the Paediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network (PECARN) head trauma prediction rule for children under 2 years. METHODS: Multicentre retrospective cohort study of neonates (<29 days) with head trauma across 25 emergency departments (ED) from January 2017 to June 2021. RESULTS: A total of 492 neonates (median age 17 days, range 0-28 days) with non-trivial head trauma were enrolled. Falls were the most common injury mechanism (375/492, 76.2%). Imaging was performed in 150/492 (30.5%) neonates. Clinically important traumatic brain injury (ciTBI), defined as death, neurosurgery, prolonged intubation, or extended hospitalisation from injury, occurred in 7/492 (1.4%) cases. Notably, 286/492 (58.1%) neonates were managed by short-term observation (<48 h), and 126/492 (25.6%) were admitted. Among high-risk neonates per PECARN criteria, 17/21 (80.9%) did not undergo recommended head CT scans but were observed within ED short observation units or underwent alternative imaging, with no ciTBI diagnoses among those discharged without CT. CONCLUSION: Severe neonatal head injuries are rare, and most neonatal head injuries have a favourable outcome, making observation a suitable approach, while remaining vigilant for signs of non-accidental injuries.

7.
Pediatr Radiol ; 2024 Sep 05.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39235479

ABSTRACT

Child physical abuse has significant morbidity and mortality in the pediatric population. There is growing evidence that abusive spinal injury has been under-recognized, changing historical perceptions that these injuries are relatively uncommon. Increased utilization of MRI has been pivotal in recognizing that most abusive spinal injuries involve the soft tissues and ligaments or manifest as intrathecal blood products, which are often undetectable by radiography or CT. Detecting spinal injury in the work-up of non-accidental trauma improves management for abused children and their siblings (defined as siblings or other household members). This review highlights key points in the imaging literature of abusive spinal injury, describes typical patterns of injury, and addresses appropriate imaging practice for work-up.

8.
Front Vet Sci ; 11: 1439432, 2024.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39239386

ABSTRACT

An adult pet tawny owl (Strix aluco) presented to a veterinary hospital at Parma University with a history of head trauma. After a critical care protocol including thermal, oxygen and fluid support aimed at stabilizing the patient, a neurological examination was performed. During neurological evaluation, marked lethargy and an inability to rise from a recumbent position was noted. Anisocoria was also present, with a mydriatic left pupil exhibiting no pupillary light response (PLR) even on direct illumination of both eyes. On ocular fundus examination, retinal hemorrhage and retinal detachment were observed. Based on these clinical findings, a complete work-up was performed, including hematological exams and total body X-ray studies followed by a computed tomography (CT) scan. Additional examinations, such as brainstem auditory evoked response (BAER) measurement and flash visual evoked potential (FVEP) recording, were performed. FVEP measurements performed on the left eye exhibited no peaks in either series of stimulations, indicating an altered functional integration within the visual pathway. A CT scan revealed a large hypoattenuating lesion within the right cerebral hemisphere, suspected to be intraparenchymal edema. The BAER test demonstrated an altered trace consistent with brainstem involvement and left hypoacusis due to cranial nerve VIII deficiency. Head trauma can result in significant neurological impairments in birds, impacting their behavior, mobility, and cognitive abilities. FVEP recordings, BAER tests and CT scans may be useful diagnostic tools in clinical practice. Understanding the causes and neurologic presentation of avian traumas is essential for effective prevention, diagnosis and treatment of affected birds.

9.
J Forensic Leg Med ; 107: 102761, 2024 Sep 27.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39348726

ABSTRACT

This case report presents the tragic death of a 56-year-old Slovenian woman who sustained fatal injuries from a stray firework during a New Year's Eve celebration in January 2024. The firework, launched by a relative, struck the woman in the right eye, causing extensive cranial and cerebral trauma. Despite immediate medical intervention, including attempted resuscitation, the woman was pronounced dead at the scene. The autopsy revealed severe damage, including fractures extending from the right orbital cavity to the occipital region and a penetrating brain injury affecting multiple regions of the brain. The case is complicated by the removal of the firework from the injury site before the arrival of emergency services, making the reconstruction of the exact sequence of events challenging. The findings emphasize the devastating consequences of fireworks-related injuries and the unique forensic challenges they present in determining the precise cause of death.

10.
Neurosurg Rev ; 47(1): 641, 2024 Sep 19.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39294484

ABSTRACT

Pediatric head trauma is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality, with children, particularly those under two years old, being more susceptible to skull fractures due to their unique physiological and developmental characteristics. A recent study by Azusa Ono et al. examined the impact of repeated imaging in children under 24 months with minor head trauma, revealing that 40.6% of those who underwent follow-up MRI after an initial CT scan showed new intracranial findings. The study emphasizes the importance of careful consideration of repeated imaging based on initial findings and associated risk factors, such as the presence of subcutaneous hematoma and fractures intersecting coronal sutures. This underscores the need for improved diagnostic approaches to minimize radiation exposure while ensuring accurate diagnosis.Artificial Intelligence (AI) offers a promising solution, with research indicating that AI models can significantly improve diagnostic precision, increasing accuracy from 78.1 to 85.2% and reducing errors by two to three times. Additionally, AI has demonstrated high accuracy in detecting various types of brain hemorrhages, potentially facilitating earlier and more precise detection of hematomas associated with skull fractures. Integrating AI into diagnostic practices could enhance early detection, reduce diagnostic errors, and improve outcomes for pediatric head trauma cases. The study underscores the critical need for advanced diagnostic methods to better manage and treat head injuries in young children, where timely and accurate diagnosis is crucial.


Subject(s)
Artificial Intelligence , Craniocerebral Trauma , Skull Fractures , Child, Preschool , Humans , Infant , Craniocerebral Trauma/complications , Craniocerebral Trauma/diagnostic imaging , Craniocerebral Trauma/therapy , Magnetic Resonance Imaging/adverse effects , Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods , Skull Fractures/diagnostic imaging , Skull Fractures/etiology , Skull Fractures/therapy , Tomography, X-Ray Computed/adverse effects , Tomography, X-Ray Computed/methods
11.
Scand J Trauma Resusc Emerg Med ; 32(1): 91, 2024 Sep 17.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39289729

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), i.e. a TBI with an admission Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) of 13-15, is a common cause of emergency department visits. Only a small fraction of these patients will develop a traumatic intracranial hemorrhage (tICH) with an even smaller subgroup suffering from severe outcomes. Limitations in existing management guidelines lead to overuse of computed tomography (CT) for emergency department (ED) diagnosis of tICH which may result in patient harm and higher healthcare costs. OBJECTIVE: To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to characterize known and potential novel risk factors that impact the risk of tICH in patients with mTBI to provide a foundation for improving existing ED guidelines. METHODS: The literature was searched using MEDLINE, EMBASE and Web of Science databases. Reference lists of major literature was cross-checked. The outcome variable was tICH on CT. Odds ratios (OR) were pooled for independent risk factors. RESULTS: After completion of screening, 17 papers were selected for inclusion, with a pooled patient population of 26,040 where 2,054 cases of tICH were verified through CT (7.9%). Signs of a skull base fracture (OR 11.71, 95% CI 5.51-24.86), GCS < 15 (OR 4.69, 95% CI 2.76-7.98), loss of consciousness (OR 2.57, 95% CI 1.83-3.61), post-traumatic amnesia (OR 2.13, 95% CI 1.27-3.57), post-traumatic vomiting (OR 2.04, 95% CI 1.11-3.76), antiplatelet therapy (OR 1.54, 95% CI 1.10-2.15) and male sex (OR 1.28, 95% CI 1.11-1.49) were determined in the data synthesis to be statistically significant predictors of tICH. CONCLUSION: Our meta-analysis provides additional context to predictors associated with high and low risk for tICH in mTBI. In contrast to signs of a skull base fracture and reduction in GCS, some elements used in ED guidelines such as anticoagulant use, headache and intoxication were not predictive of tICH. Even though there were multiple sources of heterogeneity across studies, these findings suggest that there is potential for improvement over existing guidelines as well as a the need for better prospective trials with consideration for common data elements in this area. PROSPERO registration number CRD42023392495.


Subject(s)
Brain Concussion , Emergency Service, Hospital , Intracranial Hemorrhage, Traumatic , Humans , Brain Concussion/complications , Emergency Service, Hospital/statistics & numerical data , Glasgow Coma Scale , Intracranial Hemorrhage, Traumatic/etiology , Intracranial Hemorrhage, Traumatic/epidemiology , Risk Factors , Tomography, X-Ray Computed/methods
12.
Child Maltreat ; : 10775595241282321, 2024 Sep 17.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39288188

ABSTRACT

The objective of this study was to evaluate disparities in skeletal survey (SS) use for pediatric. head injury patients in the emergency department (ED). This was a multi-site retrospective. cohort study of children <24 months with concern for head injury and injury on head CT from. 7/1/12 - 1/1/22. We determined adjusted associations between SS completion and race, ethnicity, language for care, insurance type, and income, with sub-analysis of children <6 months and with complex injury. We evaluated occult fracture prevalence. Two-hundred seventy children met criteria and 88 had SS. No statistical association was found between skeletal survey completion and race or ethnicity, language for care, private insurance, median census tract income, or in sub-analyses. Two of 88 (2.3%) patients had occult fracture; both had risk factors for NAT. In conclusion, no statistical association was found between SS completion and demographics. Occult fracture was uncommon. SS use can likely be decreased in lower risk patients.

13.
Neurosurg Rev ; 47(1): 519, 2024 Sep 02.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39218824

ABSTRACT

To assess the clinical significance of repeated head imaging in children with minor blunt force head trauma who underwent computed tomography (CT), limited to those who exclude with very low risk of important traumatic brain injury. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of children aged under 24 months with minor head trauma who underwent repeated head imaging and initial CT scans according to the Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network (PECARN) rules. We enrolled 741 children and 110 with skull fracture (SF). Of the 96 patients with SF on initial CT who received head magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) a few days later, 36 (37.5%) patients' initial CT findings revealed intracranial injury in addition to SF. The number of children who exhibited new intracranial findings on follow-up MRI among those with isolated SF without intracranial damage and those with SF and intracranial injury on initial CT was 25/60 (40.7%) and 14/36 (38.9%), respectively. Subcutaneous hematoma on arrival and intersection with the coronal suture and lines of fracture were significantly associated with new intracranial findings. Four children with SF and intracranial injury on initial CT received neurosurgical intervention. No intervention was needed for those with isolated SF. We demonstrated that a proportion of children with head trauma had new findings on follow-up MRI, particularly in those without very low risk of clinically important traumatic brain injury. Patients who exhibit new intracranial MRI findings that satisfy the PECARN rules may not require neurosurgical intervention if their initial CT finding is isolated SF.


Subject(s)
Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Skull Fractures , Tomography, X-Ray Computed , Humans , Skull Fractures/diagnostic imaging , Male , Female , Infant , Retrospective Studies , Brain Injuries, Traumatic/diagnostic imaging , Child, Preschool , Craniocerebral Trauma/diagnostic imaging , Craniocerebral Trauma/complications , Infant, Newborn
14.
Sci Rep ; 14(1): 19502, 2024 08 22.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39174677

ABSTRACT

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.


Subject(s)
Intracranial Hemorrhages , Tomography, X-Ray Computed , Humans , Male , Female , Middle Aged , Intracranial Hemorrhages/epidemiology , Intracranial Hemorrhages/mortality , Intracranial Hemorrhages/etiology , Incidence , Adult , Aged , Republic of Korea/epidemiology , Cohort Studies , Emergency Service, Hospital/statistics & numerical data , Craniocerebral Trauma/complications , Craniocerebral Trauma/epidemiology , Young Adult , Patient Discharge/statistics & numerical data , Time Factors
15.
Expert Rev Neurother ; 24(10): 963-983, 2024 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39140714

ABSTRACT

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.


Subject(s)
Brain Injuries, Traumatic , Humans , Brain Injuries, Traumatic/therapy , Child , Child Abuse , Socioeconomic Factors
16.
Am J Otolaryngol ; 45(6): 104429, 2024 Jul 23.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39094207

ABSTRACT

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.

17.
Childs Nerv Syst ; 2024 Aug 23.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39177800

ABSTRACT

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.

18.
Front Med (Lausanne) ; 11: 1416626, 2024.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39211342

ABSTRACT

Background: Abusive head trauma (AHT) is a severe form of physical abuse leading to significant morbidity and mortality in children, often presenting with complex brain injuries. Among the varied manifestations, ophthalmologic presentations are critical yet underexplored, which may provide essential clues for early diagnosis and management, improving long-term visual and neurological outcomes. Objective: This study aims to explore the manifestation, management, and outcomes of AHT cases within a single center in China over a five-year period, with a focus on the importance of ophthalmologic evaluation in enhancing the diagnosis, management, and outcome predictions of AHT. Methods: A retrospective case series was conducted at a single institution, involving infants diagnosed with AHT from 2019 to 2023. Data on demographics, medical histories, and clinical management were collected. Ophthalmologic examinations including fundus photography, ocular B-scan ultrasound and fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA), were performed to evaluate retinal vasculature and identify peripheral ischemic retina (PIR). Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS ver. 26.0. Results: Eight AHT patients (16 eyes) were included in the study. Bilateral ocular involvement was observed in all patients, with 81.25% exhibiting retinal hemorrhages (RH). Other manifestations included retinal detachment (31.25%) and optic nerve atrophy (18.75%). Clinical interventions varied, with 68.75% of patients undergoing treatments such as laser photocoagulation and anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injections. Among all eyes, 75% showed resolution of RH. Despite treatment, some patients progressed to severe conditions such as retinal detachment (RD) and iris neovascularization (INV). Conclusion: This study emphasizes the importance of a multidisciplinary approach in the diagnosis and management of AHT, particularly by integrating ophthalmological perspectives into patient care. These findings contribute to the understanding of ophthalmologic presentations in AHT.

19.
Diagnostics (Basel) ; 14(16)2024 Aug 09.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39202219

ABSTRACT

Meningiomas are tumors originating from arachnoid meningothelial cells. Occasionally, meningiomas are identified outside the central nervous system, and are referred to as extracranial meningiomas (EMs). The vast majority of EMs are an extension from an intracranial or intraspinal tumor. However, primary EMs may arise from extracranial sites with the most common sites being the skin and scalp subcutis, which are further categorized as cutaneous meningiomas (CMs). CMs are rare cutaneous tumors with similar ultrastructural and cytologic findings compared to those of intracranial meningiomas, but with a wide range of histologic differences. Therefore, an assessment using a panel of investigative tools, including imaging, histopathology, and immunohistochemistry, is required to determine the diagnosis of CMs. Here, we report the case of a 64-year-old gentleman presenting with a posttraumatic well-circumscribed superficial mass overlying the right nasal bridge. We are unable to identify other cases arising in the nasal bridge.

20.
Cureus ; 16(6): e61874, 2024 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38978883

ABSTRACT

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.

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