Case Report: Iliopsoas Hematoma during the Clinical Course of Severe COVID-19 in Two Male Patients.

Anticoagulation plays a major role in reducing the risk of systematic thrombosis in patients with severe COVID-19. Serious hemorrhagic complications, such as intracranial hemorrhage, have also been recognized. However, intra-abdominal hemorrhage is under-recognized because of its rare occurrence, despite high mortality. Here, we discuss two cases of spontaneous iliopsoas hematoma (IPH) likely caused by anticoagulants during the clinical course of COVID-19. We also explored published case reports to identify clinical characteristics of IPH in COVID-19 patients. The use of anticoagulants may increase the risk of lethal IPH among COVID-19 patients becsuse of scarce data on optimal dosage and adequate monitoring of anticoagulant effects. Rapid diagnosis and timely intervention are crucial to ensure good patient outcomes.

Duodenal injury in blunt abdominal trauma. Case report and literature review.

There are few reported cases of small bowel injury due to blunt abdominal trauma. We describe the clinical presentation and surgical management of these lesions. This is the clinical case of a polytraumatized male with a duodenal injury IIID3 according to AAST, who underwent resection of the intestinal segment with duodeno-duodenum anastomosis with favorable results. The infrequent presentation of injuries to the small intestine due to blunt trauma may lead the clinician to overlook the need for intentional interrogation about the kinematics of the trauma, while at the same time neglecting the taking of complementary diagnostic imaging studies, this because of a lack of clinical suspicion. It is important to analyze the patient's context, which will allow us to assess the need to delve into diagnostic studies in order to optimize their treatment.

Existen pocos casos notificados de lesión de intestino delgado por traumatismo contuso abdominal. Se describen la presentación clínica y el tratamiento quirúrgico de dichas lesiones, un caso clínico de un paciente masculino politraumatizado con lesión duodenal IIID3 según la AAST, objeto de resección de segmento intestinal con anastomosis duodenoduodenal terminoterminal con resultados favorables. La presentación infrecuente de lesiones de intestino delgado por traumatismo contuso puede llevar al clínico a soslayar la necesidad de un interrogatorio intencionado acerca de la cinemática del traumatismo y también de los estudios de imagen complementarios diagnósticos debido a la falta de sospecha clínica. Es importante analizar el contexto del paciente para valorar la necesidad de profundizar en estudios diagnósticos y optimizar el tratamiento.

Differential clinical features and long-term prognosis of acute aortic syndrome according to disease entity.

AIMS: To evaluate the acute and long-term prognosis of acute aortic syndrome (AAS) according to the disease entity [intramural haematoma (IMH) vs. aortic dissection (AD)] and the anatomical location (type A vs. B). METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 1012 patients [672 with AD and 340 with IMH (33.6%)] were enrolled between 1993 and 2015. Compared with AD patients, IMH patients were older and had higher frequency of female sex and distal aorta involvement. The overall crude in-hospital mortality of AAS was 8.6%; type A AD [15.0%; adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 30.4; 95% confidence interval (CI) 8.62-107.3; P < 0.001], type A IMH (8.0%; aHR 4.85; 95% CI 1.29-18.2; P = 0.019), type B AD (5.0%; aHR 3.51; 95% CI 1.00-12.4; P = 0.051), and type B IMH [1.5%; aHR 1.00 (reference)]. During a median follow-up duration of 8.5 years (interquartile range: 4.0-13.5 years), AD (aHR 2.78; 95% CI 1.87-4.14; P < 0.001) and type A (aHR 2.28; 95% CI 1.45-3.58; P < 0.001) was associated with a higher risk of aortic death. After 90 days, a risk of aortic death was no longer associated with anatomical location (aHR 0.74; 95% CI 0.40-1.36; P = 0.33), but remained associated with disease entity (aHR 1.83; 95% CI 1.10-3.04; P = 0.02). CONCLUSION: The clinical features, response to treatment strategy, and outcomes of IMH patients were distinct from those of AD patients. Both early and late survival was better for IMH than for AD. In addition to the anatomical location of AAS, the disease entity is an independent factor associated with both acute and long-term mortality in patients with AAS. Further investigation is necessary to confirm the prognostic implication of disease entity in different patient populations.

Inter-rater reliability in the radiological classification of renal injuries.

INTRODUCTION: Although many radiologists invoke the surgical classification of renal injury proposed by the American Association for Surgery in Trauma (AAST), there has been only limited work on the role of the AAST system as an imaging stratification. The aim was to determine the inter-rater reliability (IRR) amongst radiologists and urologists using the AAST system. METHODS: A 1-year retrospective study of consecutive patients with computed tomography (CT) evidence of renal trauma managed at a Level 1 trauma center. Three radiologists and three urologists independently stratified the presentation CT findings according to the AAST renal trauma classification. Agreement between independent raters and mutually exclusive groups was determined utilizing weighted kappa coefficients. RESULTS: One hundred and one patients were included. Individual inter-observer agreements ranged from 54/101 (53.4%) to 62/101 (61.4%), with corresponding weighted kappa values from 0.61 to 0.69, constituting substantial agreement. Urologists achieved intra-disciplinary agreement in 49 cases (48.5%) and radiologists in 36 cases (35.6%). Six-reader agreement was achieved in 24 cases (23.7%). The AAST grade I injuries had the highest level of agreement, overall. CONCLUSION: The finding of substantial IRR amongst radiologists and urologists utilizing the AAST system supports continued use of the broad parameters of the AAST system, with some modification in specific categories with lower agreement.

Quantitative estimation of a ratio of intracranial cerebrospinal fluid volume to brain volume based on segmentation of CT images in patients with extra-axial hematoma.

Background Diminishing volume of intracranial cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in patients with space-occupying masses have been attributed to unfavorable outcome associated with reduction of cerebral perfusion pressure and subsequent brain ischemia. Objective The objective of this article is to employ a ratio of CSF volume to brain volume for longitudinal assessment of space-volume relationships in patients with extra-axial hematoma and to determine variability of the ratio among patients with different types and stages of hematoma. Patients and methods In our retrospective study, we reviewed 113 patients with surgical extra-axial hematomas. We included 28 patients (age 61.7 +/- 17.7 years; 19 males, nine females) with an acute epidural hematoma (EDH) ( n = 5) and subacute/chronic subdural hematoma (SDH) ( n = 23). We excluded 85 patients, in order, due to acute SDH ( n = 76), concurrent intraparenchymal pathology ( n = 6), and bilateral pathology ( n = 3). Noncontrast CT images of the head were obtained using a CT scanner (2004 GE LightSpeed VCT CT system, tube voltage 140 kVp, tube current 310 mA, 5 mm section thickness) preoperatively, postoperatively (3.8 ± 5.8 hours from surgery), and at follow-up clinic visit (48.2 ± 27.7 days after surgery). Each CT scan was loaded into an OsiriX (Pixmeo, Switzerland) workstation to segment pixels based on radiodensity properties measured in Hounsfield units (HU). Based on HU values from -30 to 100, brain, CSF spaces, vascular structures, hematoma, and/or postsurgical fluid were segregated from bony structures, and subsequently hematoma and/or postsurgical fluid were manually selected and removed from the images. The remaining images represented overall brain volume-containing only CSF spaces, vascular structures, and brain parenchyma. Thereafter, the ratio between the total number of voxels representing CSF volume (based on values between 0 and 15 HU) to the total number of voxels representing overall brain volume was calculated. Results CSF/brain volume ratio varied significantly during the course of the disease, being the lowest preoperatively, 0.051 ± 0.032; higher after surgical evacuation of hematoma, 0.067 ± 0.040; and highest at follow-up visit, 0.083 ± 0.040 ( p < 0.01). Using a repeated regression analysis, we found a significant association ( p < 0.01) of the ratio with age (odds ratio, 1.019; 95% CI, 1.009-1.029) and type of hematoma (odds ratio, 0.405; 95% CI, 0.303-0.540). Conclusion CSF/brain volume ratio calculated from CT images has potential to reflect dynamics of intracranial volume changes in patients with space-occupying mass.

[Evacuation of spontaneous supratentorial intracerebral hematoma with double targets-single channel and multiaxial stereotaxis].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of evacuation of spontaneous supratentorial hemorrhage with double targets-single channel and multiaxial stereotaxis. METHODS: Thirty-four patients with supratentorial intracerebral hemorrhage, who underwent hematoma evacuation with the method of double targets-single channel between January 2014 and November 2014 in the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, were included in the study. We classified the hematoma into four types based on the principle of double targets-single channel calculation method (DTSC). And the appropriate stereotactic surgery path and operation opportunity were designed individually according to the hematoma volume and mass effect. Twenty-seven patients with supratentorial hemorrhage who underwent hematoma evacuation with the method of single targets-single channel between January 2013 and November 2014 were selected as single target group. RESULTS: Volumes of initial hematoma in DTSC and single target groups were(38.6 ± 19.2)mL and(40.1 ± 18.1)mL, respectively. Initial Glasgow Coma Scale were 9.6 ± 3.2 (3~15) and 9.1 ± 2.9(3~13) (all P >0.05). Residual volume of hematoma and clearance ratio were (11.1 ± 4.2) mL and(73.1 ± 5.4)% in DTSC group and (18.5 ± 5.3) mL and(55.1 ± 5.1)% in single target group by CT scan 24 h after operation(all P <0.05). There was no significant difference in Glasgow Outcome Scale between two groups in one-month follow-up. Average length of postoperative stay of two groups were(12.6 ± 9.8)d and (14.2 ± 7.1)d, respectively. CONCLUSION: Evacuation of spontaneous supratentorial intracerebral hematoma with DTSC and multi-axial stereotaxis can increase clearance ratio remarkably and decrease average length of stay.

Perfil clínico de los pacientes con hematomas retroperitoneales espontáneos / Clinical spectrum of patients with spontaneous retroperitoneal hematomas

Introducción y objetivo: Los hematomas retroperitoneales espontáneos (HRE)son una complicación del tratamiento anticoagulante. Material y métodos: Revisión retrospectiva de los HRE en el Hospital Universitario Marqués de Valdecilla (Santander, España) desde el año 2003 al 2013. Se excluyen los traumatismos, los procedimientos invasivos o las roturas de un aneurisma aórtico. Comparamos esta serie con la descrita previamente en nuestro hospital. Resultados: Identificamos 34 HRE (64% mujeres) con una media de edad de 65 años (23-88 años). El 44% estaban anticoagulados por enfermedad cardiaca (81%). Un tercio tenía insuficiencia renal, y el 15%, cáncer. El dolor abdominal se describe en el 85%. La TC se realiza en el 82%. El 32% ingresa en UCI y solo el 20% requiere cirugía. La mortalidad relacionada fue del 21% (media de supervivencia de 5 días; 1-15 días). El 66% reinicia la anticoagulación a los 19 días (2-90 días), sin complicaciones posteriores. Se incrementan los casos no anticoagulados en un 47%. Conclusión: En los casos anticoagulados, la reintroducción del tratamiento, tras la resolución del hematoma, parece una práctica relativamente segura. Se incrementan los casos en pacientes no anticoagulados (AU)

Introduction and objective: Spontaneous retroperitoneal hematoma (SRH) is a potentially fatal clinical entity requiring immediate recognition and intervention. Material and methods: The clinical records of 18-year-old and older patients admitted to the University Hospital Marqués de Valdecilla from 2003 to 2013 were reviewed. “Spontaneous” was defined as unrelated to trauma, invasive procedures or bleeding due to aortic aneurysm rupture. Results: Thirty-four patients with SRH (44% were on anticoagulant drugs). One-third of cases had chronic renal insufficiency. Abdominal pain was the most common symptom both in anticoagulated and non-anticoagulated patients (80% in anticoagulated and 89% in non-anticoagulated patients). About one half of the patients developed shock. A CT scan was the most commonly performed diagnostic test, followed by abdominal ultrasound. Most cases were managed conservatively (80%). More than half of the patients (66%) restarted anticoagulation therapy after the acute event with a mean delay of 19 days (range 2-90 days). None of them suffered a new bleeding episode. Conclusion: Restarting the anticoagulation treatment after hematoma resolution seems to be a safe practice. There is an increasing frequency of SRH in non-anticoagulated patients (AU)

Intraneural Hematoma: A Proposed Anatomic Classification with Potential Treatment Implications.

Intraneural hematoma is a rare entity with fewer than 20 cases reported in the literature. There is no consensus on surgical treatment due to its rarity. We present a novel classification for intraneural hematomas based on a review of the literature and illustrated by 4 cases that were treated in our 3 centers. This classification system localizes the hematoma to the different connective tissue layers that compose the nerve: the paraneurium, epineurium, and perineurium. We believe that this classification has consequences for surgical treatment and can form the foundation for future research into the natural history of these types of lesions.

Type A intramural hematoma in the setting of acute type B aortic dissection.

Type A intramural hematoma (IMH) is an uncommon entity, the pathophysiology of which is thought to be related to a contained hemorrhage within the medial layer of the aorta as a result of either rupture of the vasa vasorum or an atherosclerotic plaque. We present a case of type A IMH in the setting of acute type B aortic dissection with suspicion for malperfusion syndrome and discuss the treatment algorithm of this uncommon entity.

Comparison between the formula 1/2ABC and 2/3Sh in intracerebral parenchyma hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The 1/2ABC formula is the method most commonly used in clinical practice to rapidly estimate intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) volume. We aimed to compare this method with the alternative '2/3Sh' formula for both regularly and irregularly-shaped hematomas. METHODS: Computed tomography (CT) images from 344 ICH patients (median volume: 16·66 ml) were retrospectively reviewed. According to the maximum slice, the shape was classified into regular or irregular (multilobular, conical, and other). Volumes as determined by the 1/2ABC and 2/3Sh formulas were compared against the gold standard, computer-assisted planimetry, for various hematoma shapes. RESULTS: With the 1/2ABC method, errors were seen non-significantly more frequently for irregularly-shaped hematomas [OR: 2.85 (95% CI: 0.65-12.50)]. The 1/2ABC method misclassified a greater proportion of hematomas as greater or less than 30 ml in volume: 7.0% (95% CI: 6.0-9.9%). Both the 1/2ABC and 2/3Sh formulas correlated well with gold standard (correlation coefficients >0.9 for each shape). While there was no statistically significant measurement error bias for either method, the 95% confidence intervals of the limit of agreement for 2/3Sh were tighter: -0.22 ml (-4.7-4.25 ml) versus 2·50 ml (-10.35-15.34 ml). Measurement errors were significantly greater with the 1/2ABC method, for both regular and irregular hematomas [1.17 ml (0.48-2.83 ml) versus 0.88 ml (0.42-1.68 ml) and 2.65 ml (1.07-5.88 ml) versus 0·99 ml (0.47-2.28 ml); P<0.05, respectively], although the magnitude of error would only rarely be clinically relevant for regular hematomas. Errors were most evident in assessing multilobular-shaped hematomas [6.49 ml (3.35-13.98 ml) versus 1.86 ml (0.96-9.94 ml); P<0·001]. CONCLUSIONS: The 2/3Sh formula leads to fewer clinically-relevant hematoma volume misclassifications than the 1/2ABC formula, and is particularly superior in estimating volumes of irregularly-shaped hematomas.

AHRQ patient safety indicators: time to include hemorrhage and infection during childbirth.

BACKGROUND: Many Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) Patient Safety Indicators (PSIs) partially or completely exclude pregnant women. Both postoperative hemorrhage or hematoma (PSI 9; hemorrhage), and Postoperative Sepsis (PSI 13; infection) appear to be adaptable to pregnancy hospitalizations. METHODS: Using the 2009 California Patient Discharge Dataset (N [total] = 508,842), the hemorrhage and infection PSIs were examined for their potential to include pregnant women in gynecological, antepartum, postpartum, and delivery subpopulations. The statewide and hospital-level indicator rates were calculated using hierarchical models adjusted for case mix. RESULTS: Only the delivery population had sufficient cases for hospital-level analysis. Both PSIs required major changes to the technical specifications because of pregnancy-specific codes and coding practices. Nevertheless, these revised indicators identified substantial morbidity that varied widely across hospitals. The hemorrhage indicator rate was 2.50% (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.45-2.54) for all deliveries, compared with 0.26% (95% CI, 0.25-0.27) in the AHRQ population and 0.18% (95% CI, 0.15-0.21) for nonpregnant women of reproductive age. Adjusted hospital rates averaged 2.52%, with a midquartile range of 1.16% to 3.09% Although infection rates were lower for all deliveries than for the AHRQ population (0.18% versus 1.20%), they were highly associated with cesarean versus vaginal birth (0.43% versus 0.05%) and ranged from 0% to 1.15% across hospitals. CONCLUSIONS: Although codes and coding practices for pregnancy hospitalizations differ from those used for nonpregnant adults, hospital-level measures of childbirth-associated hemorrhage and infection are feasible, vary widely, and demonstrate considerable opportunity for improvement.

[Aortic intramural hematoma type B: images of an entity with different evolution pathways]. / Hematoma aórtico intramural tipo B: imágenes de una entidad con diferentes caminos evolutivos.

The progress in noninvasive imaging techniques for aortic pathology, such as computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance (MRI) and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) have facilitated the diagnosis and management of patients with aortic intramural hematoma (IMH). Despite incomplete understanding of their natural history, it is known there is no significant difference between the IMH and classic aortic dissection (AD) on the incidence of major complication or death. In this article, we present images of patient with type B aortic hematoma and different outcomes in their natural evolution.

The correlation between hematoma volume and outcome in ruptured posterior fossa arteriovenous malformations indicates the importance of surgical evacuation of hematomas.

AIM: The correlation between hematoma volume and outcome in ruptured arteriovenous malformations (AVM) with accompanying posterior fossa hematoma was retrospectively evaluated. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Microsurgery operations were performed on 127 patients with intracranial AVM between January 1998 and January 2009 at our clinic. Fifteen (11.8%) patients were identified as suffering from posterior fossa AVM, and twelve of these patients presented with a cerebellar hematoma. All patients were clinically evaluated according to the following criteria: modified Rankin Scale (mRS) prior to surgery, Spetzler-Martin grade (SMG) of the AVMs, hematoma volume prior to surgery, and mRS following surgery. RESULTS: Postoperative mRS scores were significantly lower than preoperative scores (p=0.0001). Postoperative outcomes were concordant with the SMG of the AVMs (r=0.67, p=0.033), hematoma volume (r=0.537, p=0.072) and preoperative mRS scores (r=0.764, p=0.004). These analyses show that the postoperative mRS score is strongly correlated with a preoperative mRS score, hematoma volume and SMG. CONCLUSION: Posterior fossa AVMs present an increased risk for hemorrhage and for increased morbidity and mortality. Cases with hematoma should be operated on an urgent basis. We conclude that hematoma volume is a factor that impacts postoperative results and prognosis. SMG and preoperative mRS scores were also correlated with outcome.

Defining hematoma expansion in intracerebral hemorrhage: relationship with patient outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Hematoma expansion (HE) is a surrogate marker in intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) trials. However, the amount of HE necessary to produce poor outcomes in an individual is unclear; there is no agreement on a clinically meaningful definition of HE. We compared commonly used definitions of HE in their ability to predict poor outcome as defined by various cutpoints on the modified Rankin Scale (mRS). METHODS: In this cohort study, we analyzed 531 patients with ICH from the Virtual International Stroke Trials Archive. Primary outcome was mRS at 90 days, dichotomized into 0-3 vs 4-6. Secondary outcomes included other mRS cutpoints and mRS "shift analysis." Sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values for commonly used HE definitions were calculated. RESULTS: Between 13% and 32% of patients met the commonly used HE definitions. All definitions independently predicted poor outcome; positive predictive values increased with higher growth cutoffs but at the expense of lower sensitivities. All HE definitions showed higher specificity than sensitivity. Absolute growth cutoffs were more predictive than relative cutoffs when mRS 5-6 or 6 was defined as "poor outcome." CONCLUSION: HE robustly predicts poor outcome regardless of the growth definition or the outcome definition. The highest positive predictive values are obtained when using an absolute growth definition to predict more severe outcomes. Given that only a minority of patients may have clinically relevant HE, hemostatic ICH trials may need to enroll a large number of patients, or select for a population that is more likely to have HE.

Extrapleural hematomas: imaging appearance, classification, and clinical significance.

PURPOSE: We sought to identify radiologic and clinical findings associated with extrapleural hematomas (EPHs), to formulate an imaging-based classification system for EPHs, and to identify any radiologic or clinical factors associated with surgical intervention. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirteen cases of EPH were gathered during the clinical review. An EPH was diagnosed on computed tomography (CT) if there was inward displacement of extrapleural fat by an intrathoracic peripheral fluid collection. The location and shape of each EPH were documented. For each case, the chest radiograph obtained in closest proximity to the CT acquisitions was also reviewed. The following additional data were also gathered: coexistent thoracic and nonthoracic injuries; mechanism of injury; treatment; and outcome. RESULTS: In our series, 92% of the patients (12/13) were male. The average age of the affected patients was 61 years. Most cases were related to blunt trauma (85%, 11/13). All these patients had additional injuries; rib fractures were most consistently present (81%, 9/11). All cases could be further categorized based on the appearance of their CT scan as biconvex or nonconvex. Biconvex EPHs tended to be larger than other types (average size of 4211 mL) and required surgical intervention in 80% of patients (4/5). No specific treatment was necessary in patients with nonconvex EPHs. CONCLUSIONS: EPHs occur most commonly in high-energy blunt trauma; concomitant injuries are the rule, especially rib fractures. Biconvex hematomas tend to be large, likely resulting from high-pressure bleeding. Consequently, biconvex EPHs more often require surgical intervention. Nonconvex hematomas can usually be managed conservatively.

Comparison of large intrasylvian and subpial hematomas caused by rupture of middle cerebral artery aneurysm.

The clinical characteristics of intrasylvian and subpial hematomas caused by rupture of middle cerebral artery (MCA) aneurysm were examined in 86 patients admitted to our department with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) caused by ruptured MCA aneurysms. A retrospective study of 26 patients with a large hematoma associated with SAH treated surgically within 48 hours evaluated clinical grade at admission, secondary development of cerebral swelling, ratio of hematoma removal, and incidence of symptomatic vasospasm. Clinical grade on admission, age, and sex showed no significant differences. Ratio of cerebral swelling against the initial hematoma volume (p = 0.005), and incidence of symptomatic vasospasm (p = 0.041) were significantly lower, and the ratio of hematoma was significantly higher (p = 0.01) in the subpial hematoma group. Removal of hematoma was more difficult and symptomatic vasospasm was more frequent in the intrasylvian hematoma group. The clinical features of subpial and intrasylvian hematomas caused by rupture of MCA aneurysm should be considered for the better management of associated SAH.

Comparisons of 2/3Sh estimation technique to computer-assisted planimetric analysis in epidural, subdural and intracerebral hematomas.

OBJECTIVE: The formula 1/2abc was suitable for the estimation of the epidural, acute subdural, most intracerebral and even some chronic subdural hematoma volume, but its accuracy was prone to be affected by some particular shapes of hematomas. In this study, we aimed to validate a more accurate method for the estimation of the epidural, subdural and intracerebral hematoma volume. METHODS: In the present study, hematomas were categorized into the epidural, subdural and intracerebral groups, and every hematoma in three subgroups was respectively estimated with the following methods, including the computer-assisted planimetric analysis (gold standard), 2/3Sh, 1/2abc, 1/3abc and Tada's formula. Moreover, the percentage deviation of the estimated hematoma volume by every method in comparison with gold standard was assessed respectively. RESULTS: Compared with gold standard (39.59 ± 24.47 ml), the formula 2/3Sh (40.55 ± 26.58 ml, P > 0.05) overestimated the epidural hematoma volume by nearly 1% (0.01 ± 0.09, P > 0.05); similarly, the formula 2/3Sh (70.56 ± 49.06 ml, P > 0.05) in comparison with gold standard (69.98 ± 45.99 ml) overestimated the subdural hematoma volume by nearly <1% (-0.00 ± 0.13, P > 0.05). In addition, the intracerebral hematoma volume assessed by the formula 2/3Sh in contrast with gold standard (33.33 ± 33.19 ml) was 33.88 ± 34.39 ml (P > 0.05) with an only 2% (-0.02 ± 0.15, P > 0.05) underestimation. DISCUSSION: The formula 2/3Sh in contrast with other methods was a precise, simple, convenient estimation method, which was suitable for the epidural, subdural and intracerebral hematoma volume.

Do we really need 24-h observation for patients with minimal brain injury and small intracranial bleeding? The Bernese Trauma Unit Protocol.

BACKGROUND: Traumatic brain injury is one of the most common reasons for admission to hospital emergency departments. However, optimal diagnosis and treatment protocols remain controversial. The aim of this study is to assess whether a specific group of patients can be discharged from the hospital without 24-h neurological observation. METHODS: Retrospective analysis was performed for 1078 patients with a minor isolated head injury admitted to the authors' Emergency Department for 24-h observation. Exclusion criteria included intracranial bleeds with maximum diameter above 5 mm or multiple (>1) bleeds, a history of inherited coagulopathy or anticoagulant therapy, platelet aggregation inhibitor therapy, intoxication or multiple associated injuries. Furthermore, patients who had no-one to observe them at home or who lived more than 1 h away were excluded from the study. RESULTS: 110 patients presented with an isolated small intracranial bleed (<5 mm) with a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) of 13-15. Of these patients, 46% exhibited small intracerebral haematomas, 23% traumatic subarachnoid haematomas, 9% epidural haematomas and 7% subdural haematomas. Nine patients presented with a GCS of 13/15, 30 patients with a GCS 14/15 and 71 patients with a GCS 15/15. 85% of all patients regained GCS 15/15 within 1 h after admission and 15% within 2 h after admission. All patients maintained their GCS 15/15 over the 24-h period. CONCLUSIONS: Standard 24-h observation may not be required for adult patients with single intracranial bleeds with maximum diameter less than 5 mm, without a history of inherited coagulopathy or anticoagulant therapy, platelet aggregation inhibitor therapy, intoxication or multiple associated injuries. The decision for discharging patients may be made from the clinical picture. This might help to spare hospital resources and reduce unnecessary hospitalisations.