Traumatic intracranial hemorrhage in pediatrics: Implications of factor XIII deficiency and consumptive coagulopathy in abusive head trauma evaluation.

For infants that present with intracranial hemorrhage in the setting of suspected abusive head trauma (AHT), the standard recommendation is to perform an evaluation for a bleeding disorder. Factor XIII (FXIII) deficiency is a rare congenital bleeding disorder associated with intracranial hemorrhages in infancy, though testing for FXIII is not commonly included in the initial hemostatic evaluation. The current pediatric literature recognizes that trauma, especially traumatic brain injury, may induce coagulopathy in children, though FXIII is often overlooked as having a role in pediatric trauma-induced coagulopathy. We report an infant that presented with suspected AHT in whom laboratory workup revealed a decreased FXIII level, which was later determined to be caused by consumption in the setting of trauma induced coagulopathy, rather than a congenital disorder. Within the Child Abuse Pediatrics Research Network (CAPNET) database, 85 out of 569 (15 %) children had FXIII testing, 3 of those tested (3.5 %) had absent FXIII activity on qualitative testing, and 2 (2.4 %) children had activity levels below 30 % on quantitative testing. In this article we review the literature on the pathophysiology and treatment of low FXIII in the setting of trauma. This case and literature review demonstrate that FXIII consumption should be considered in the setting of pediatric AHT.

Evaluating CAPO®: A biocompatibility, transparency, and fitment assessment for use with CEREBO® in traumatic intracranial injury detection.

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are a global concern affecting millions of patients, requiring robust infection prevention and control measures. In particular, patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) are highly susceptible to nosocomial infections, emphasizing the importance of infection control. Non-invasive near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) device, CEREBO® integrated with a disposable component CAPO® has emerged as a valuable tool for TBI patient triage and this study evaluated the safety and efficacy of this combination. Biocompatibility tests confirmed safety and transparency assessments demonstrated excellent light transmission. Clinical evaluation with 598 enrollments demonstrated high accuracy of CEREBO® in detecting traumatic intracranial hemorrhage. During these evaluations, the cap fitted well and moved smoothly with the probes demonstrating appropriate flexibility. These findings support the efficacy of the CAPO® and CEREBO® combination, potentially improving infection control and enhancing intracranial hemorrhage detection for TBI patient triage. Ultimately, this can lead to better healthcare outcomes and reduced global HAIs.

Cardiac surgery for a right atrial myxoma with traumatic intracranial hemorrhage: a case report.

BACKGROUND: The timing of cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) for intracranial hemorrhage is controversial. CASE PRESENTATION: We report the case of an 82-year-old woman who was transferred to our hospital because of a head injury. Brain computed tomography (CT) revealed traumatic intracranial hemorrhage, and transthoracic echocardiography revealed a giant right atrial myxoma. After confirming the disappearance of intracranial hemorrhage on brain CT, cardiac surgery with CPB was performed, which was uneventful. CONCLUSIONS: For an uneventful surgery, the optimal timing of cardiac surgery with CPB in patients with giant right atrial myxoma and intracranial hemorrhage should be based on brain CT.

Establishment and validation of a prediction model for intraparenchymal hematoma expansion in patients with cerebral contusion: A reliable Nomogram.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Cerebral Contusion (CC) is one of the most serious injury types in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Traumatic intraparenchymal hematoma (TICH) expansion severely affects the patient's prognosis. In this study, the baseline data, imaging features, and laboratory examinations of patients with CC were summarized and analyzed to develop and validate a nomogram predictive model assessing the risk factors for TICH expansion. METHODS: Totally 258 patients were included and retrospectively analyzed herein, who met the CC inclusion criteria, from July 2018 to July 2021. TICH expansion was defined as increased hematoma volume ≥ 30% relative to primary volume or an absolute hematoma increase ≥ 5 ml at CT review. RESULTS: Univariate and binary logistic regression analyses were performed to screen out the independent predictors significantly correlated with TICH expansion: Age, subdural hematoma (SDH), contusion site, multihematoma fuzzy sign (MFS), contusion volume, and traumatic coagulation abnormalities (TCA). Based on these, the nomogram model was established. The differences between the contusion volume and glasgow outcome scale (GOS) were analyzed by the nonparametric tests. Larger contusion volume was associated with poor prognosis. CONCLUSION: This study established a Nomogram model to predict TICH expansion in patients with CC. Meanwhile, the study found that the risk of bleeding tended to decrease when the hematoma volume was > 15 ml, but the larger initial hematoma volume would indicate worse prognosis. We advocate the use of predictive models for TICH expansion risk assessment in hospitalized CC patients, which is low-cost and easy-to-apply, especially in acute settings.

Viscoelastic Hemostatic Assays and Outcomes in Traumatic Brain Injury: A Systematic Literature Review.

BACKGROUND: Coagulopathy in traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs frequently and is associated with poor outcomes. Conventional coagulation assays (CCA) traditionally used to diagnose coagulopathy are often not time sensitive and do not assess complete hemostatic function. Viscoelastic hemostatic assays (VHAs) including thromboelastography and rotational thromboelastography provide a useful rapid and comprehensive point-of-care alternative for identifying coagulopathy, which is of significant consequence in patients with TBI with intracranial hemorrhage. METHODS: A systematic review was performed in accordance with PRISMA guidelines to identify studies comparing VHA with CCA in adult patients with TBI. The following differences in outcomes were assessed based on ability to diagnose coagulopathy: mortality, need for neurosurgical intervention, and progression of traumatic intracranial hemorrhage (tICH). RESULTS: Abnormal reaction time (R time), maximum amplitude, and K value were associated with increased mortality in certain studies but not all studies. This association was reflected across studies using different statistical parameters with different outcome definitions. An abnormal R time was the only VHA parameter found to be associated with the need for neurosurgical intervention in 1 study. An abnormal R time was also the only VHA parameter associated with progression of tICH. Overall, many studies also reported abnormal CCAs, mainly activated partial thromboplastin time, to be associated with poor outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Given the heterogenous nature of the available evidence including methodology and study outcomes, the comparative difference between VHA and CCA in predicting rates of neurosurgical intervention, tICH progression, or mortality in patients with TBI remains inconclusive.

Platelet Reactivity Testing for Aspirin Patients Who Sustain Traumatic Intracranial Hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND: Patients who take aspirin and sustain traumatic intracranial hemorrhage (tICH) are often transfused platelets in an effort to prevent bleeding progression. The efficacy of platelet transfusion is questionable, however, and some medical societies recommend that platelet reactivity testing (PRT) should guide transfusion decisions. The study hypothesis was that utilization of PRT to guide platelet transfusion for tICH patients suspected of taking aspirin would safely identify patients who did not require platelet transfusion. METHODS: This was a retrospective study of patients with blunt tICH who received PRT for known or suspected aspirin use between June 2014 and December 2017 at a level I trauma center. Chart abstraction was conducted to determine home aspirin status, and PRT values were used to classify patients as therapeutic or nontherapeutic on aspirin. Differences were assessed with Kruskal-Wallis and chi-square tests. RESULTS: 157 patients met study inclusion criteria, and 118 (75%) patients had documented prior aspirin use. PRT results were available approximately 1.7 h (IQR: 0.9, 3.2) after arrival. Upon initial PRT, 70% of patients were considered inhibited and 88% of those patients had aspirin documented as a home medication. Conversely, 18% of patients with home aspirin use had normal platelet reactivity. Clinically significant worsening of the tICH did not significantly differ when comparing those who received platelet transfusion with those who did not (8% versus 7%, P = 0.87). CONCLUSIONS: Platelet reactivity testing can detect platelet inhibition related to aspirin and should guide transfusion decisions for head injured patients in the initial hours after trauma.

Platelet Transfusion After Traumatic Intracranial Hemorrhage in Patients on Antiplatelet Agents.

BACKGROUND: With an aging population, the number of patients on antiplatelet medications and traumatic brain injury (TBI) is increasing. Our study aimed to evaluate the role of platelet transfusion on outcomes after traumatic intracranial bleeding (IB) in these patients. METHODS: We analyzed our prospectively maintained TBI database from 2014 to 2016. We included all isolated TBI patients with an IB, who were on preinjury antiplatelet agents and excluded patients taking anticoagulants. Outcome measures included the progression of IB, neurosurgical intervention, and mortality. Regression analysis was performed. RESULTS: A total of 343 patients met the inclusion criteria. Mean age was 58 ± 11 y, 58% were men, and median injury severity score was 15 (10-24). Distribution of antiplatelet agents was as follows: aspirin (60%) and clopidogrel (35%). Overall, 74% patients received platelet transfusion after admission with a median number of two platelet units. After controlling for confounders, patients who received one unit of pooled platelets had no difference in progression of IB (odds ratio [OR]: 0.98, [0.6-1.9], P = 0.41), need for neurosurgical intervention (OR: 1.09, [0.7-2.5], P = 0.53), and mortality (OR: 0.84, [0.6-1.8], P = 0.51). However, patients who received two units of pooled platelets had lower rate of progression of IB (OR: 0.69, [0.4-0.8], P = 0.02), the need for neurosurgical intervention (OR: 0.81, [0.3-0.9], P = 0.03), and mortality (OR: 0.84, [0.5-0.9], P = 0.04). Both groups were compared with those who did not receive platelet transfusion. CONCLUSIONS: The use of two units of platelet may decrease the risk of IB progression, neurosurgical intervention, and mortality in patients on preinjury antiplatelet agents and TBI. Further studies should focus on developing protocols for platelet transfusion to improve outcomes in these patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III prognostic.

Median arcuate ligament syndrome in a patient with frontal lobe syndrome.

A boy aged 19 years presented to emergency room with severe postprandial upper abdominal pain and recent significant weight loss, with history of decompressive craniotomy for post-traumatic frontal lobe haemorrhage. CT scan revealed an acute indentation of coeliac artery with high-grade stenosis and post-stenotic dilatation, diagnostic of median arcuate ligament syndrome (MALS). MALS, a diagnosis of exclusion, is identified using patient's accurate symptomatic description. Exclusion of other causes of abdominal angina in a patient with frontal lobe syndrome was a challenging job, as they lack critical decision-making ability. Hence, the decision to proceed with the complex laparoscopic procedure was made by the patient's parents and the surgeon, with the patient's consent. Laparoscopic release of the median arcuate ligament resulted in relief of the patient symptoms much to the relief of his parents and the surgeon.

Preinjury Antiplatelet Use Does Not Increase the Risk of Progression of Small Intracranial Hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND: The modified brain injury guidelines (mBIG) provide an algorithm for surgeons to manage some mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) with intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) without neurosurgical consultation or repeat imaging. Currently, antiplatelet use among patients with any ICH classifies a patient at the highest level, mBIG 3. This study assesses the risk of clinical progression among patients taking antiplatelet medications with mild TBI with ICH. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of patients with traumatic ICH over a 5-year period was conducted. Demographics, injury severity, and outcome data were collected for each patient. Patients taking antiplatelet agents were reclassified as if they were not taking these medications. Patients who would have met criteria for a lower classification (mBIG 1 or 2) without antiplatelet agents were designated mBIG 3 Antiplatelet and compared with all other mBIG 1 and 2 patients. RESULTS: 736 patients met the inclusion criteria. 158 patients were taking antiplatelet medications and 53 were reclassified as mBIG 3 Antiplatelet. When comparing mBIG 3 Antiplatelet to the 226 patients originally classified as mBIG 1 and 2, mBIG 3 Antiplatelet patients were more likely to undergo repeat head computed tomography (98.1% vs 76.6%; P < .001) and neurosurgical consultation (94.2% vs 76.5%; P < .001) but had no significant differences in outcomes. No mBIG 3 Antiplatelet patients had a worsening examination or needed operative intervention. DISCUSSION: This data suggests that antiplatelet medication use should not automatically classify a patient as mBIG 3. Adoption of this strategy would better utilize resources and avoid unnecessary costs without sacrificing care.

Applying Pediatric Brain Injury Guidelines at a Level I Adult/Pediatric Safety-Net Trauma Center.

BACKGROUND: Pediatric brain injuries are common, but current management of patients with mild traumatic intracranial hemorrhage (T-ICH) is suboptimal, often including unnecessary repeat head CT (RHCT) and neurosurgical consultation (NSC). Brain Injury Guidelines (BIG) have been developed to standardize the management of TBI, and recent work suggests they may be applied to children. The aim of this study was to apply BIG to a low-risk pediatric TBI population to further determine whether the framework can be safely applied to children in a way that reduces overutilization of RHCTs and NSC. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of a Level I Adult and Pediatric Trauma Center's pediatric registry over 4 y was performed. BIG was applied to these patients to evaluate the utility of RHCT and need for neurosurgical intervention (NSG-I) in those meeting BIG-1 criteria. Those with minor skull fracture (mSFx) who otherwise met BIG-1 criteria were also included. RESULTS: Twenty-eight patients with low-risk T-ICH met criteria for review. RHCT was performed in seven patients, with only two being prompted by clinical neurologic change/deterioration. NSC occurred in 21 of the cases. Ultimately, no patient identified by BIG-1 ± mSFx required NSG-I. CONCLUSIONS: Application of BIG criteria to children with mild T-ICH appears capable of reducing RHCT and NSC safely. Additionally, those with mSFx that otherwise fulfill BIG-1 criteria can be managed similarly by acute care surgeons. Further prospective studies should evaluate the application of BIG-1 in larger patient populations to support the generalizability of these findings.

Development and Implementation of a Pilot Radiation Reduction Protocol for Pediatric Head Injury.

BACKGROUND: Traumatic brain injury is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality for children in the United States. The aim of this study was to develop and implement a guideline to reduce radiation exposure in the pediatric head injury patient by identifying the patient population where repeat imaging is necessary and to establish rapid brain protocol magnetic resonance imaging as the first-line modality. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of trauma patients between 0 and 14 y of age admitted at a pediatric level 2 trauma center was performed between January 2013 and June 2019. The guideline established the appropriateness of repeat scans for patients with Glasgow Coma Scale >13 with clinical neurological deterioration or patients with Glasgow Coma Scale ≤13 and intracranial hemorrhagic lesion on initial head computed tomography (CT). RESULTS: Our trauma registry included 592 patients during the study period, 415 before implementation and 161 after implementation. A total of 132 patients met inclusion criteria, 116 pre-guideline and 16 post-guideline. The number of patients receiving repeat head CTs significantly decreased from 34.5% to 6.3% (P < 0.02). There was also a significant decrease in the mean number of head CT/patient pre-guideline 1.63 (range 1-7) compared with post-guideline 1.06 (range 1-2) (P < 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: CT head imaging is invaluable in the initial trauma evaluation of pediatric patients. However, it can be overused, and the radiation may lead to long-term deleterious effects. Establishing a head imaging guideline which limits use with clinical criteria can be effective in reducing radiation exposure without missing injuries.

Clinical Predictors of Intracranial Bleeding in Older Adults Who Have Fallen: A Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVES: Emergency department (ED) visits among older adults are frequently instigated by a fall at home. Some of these patients develop intracranial bleeding. The aim of this study was to identify the incidence of intracranial bleeding and the associated clinical features in older adults who present to the ED after falling. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Three Canadian EDs. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 2 176 patients age 65 years or older who presented to the ED with a fall were assessed, and 1753 were included. Inclusion criteria were a fall on level ground, off a bed, chair, or toilet, or from one or two steps within 48 hours. MEASUREMENTS: Emergency physicians recorded predefined clinical findings on initial assessment. The primary outcome was intracranial bleeding, diagnosed either by computed tomography at the index visit or within 42 days. Associations between baseline clinical findings and the presence of intracranial bleeding were assessed with multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: A total of 1753 patients (median age = 82 y) were enrolled, of whom 39% were male, 35% were on antiplatelet therapy, and 25% were on an anticoagulant. The incidence of intracranial bleeding was 5.0% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 4.1-6.1). Overall, 76 patients were diagnosed at the index ED visit, and 12 were diagnosed during follow-up. Multivariable regression identified four clinical variables that were independently associated with intracranial bleeding: new abnormalities on neurologic examination (odds ratio [OR] = 4.4; 95% CI = 2.4-8.1), bruise or laceration on the head (OR = 4.3; 95% CI = 2.7-7.0), chronic kidney disease (OR = 2.4; 95% CI = 1.3-4.6), and reduced Glasgow Coma Scale from normal (OR = 1.9; 95% CI = 1.0-3.4). CONCLUSION: The incidence of intracranial bleeding in our study was 5.0%. We found significant associations between intracranial bleeding and four simple clinical variables. We did not find significant associations between intracranial bleeding and antiplatelet or anticoagulant use. J Am Geriatr Soc 68:970-976, 2020.

Traumatic Parafalcine Subdural Hematoma: A Clinically Benign Finding.

BACKGROUND: Guidelines for management of intracranial hemorrhage do not account for bleed location. We hypothesize that parafalcine subdural hematoma (SDH), as compared to convexity SDH, is a distinct clinical entity and these patients do not benefit from critical care monitoring or repeat imaging. METHODS: We identified patients presenting to a single level I trauma center with isolated head injuries from February 2016 to August 2017. We identified 88 patients with isolated blunt traumatic parafalcine SDH and 228 with convexity SDH. RESULTS: Demographics, comorbidities, and use of antiplatelet and anticoagulant agents were similar between the groups. As compared to patients with convexity SDH, patients with parafalcine SDH had a significantly lower incidence of radiographic progression, and had no cases of neurologic deterioration, neurosurgical intervention, or mortality (all P < 0.005). Compared to patients admitted to the intensive care unit, patients with parafalcine SDH admitted to the floor had a shorter length of stay (2.0 ± 1.6 versus 3.8 ± 2.9 d, P < 0.005) with no difference in outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Patients presenting with a parafalcine SDH are a distinct and relatively benign clinical entity as compared to convexity SDH and do not benefit from repeat imaging or intensive care unit admission.

How Well Do EMS Providers Predict Intracranial Hemorrhage in Head-Injured Older Adults?

Objective: To evaluate the accuracy of emergency medical services (EMS) provider judgment for traumatic intracranial hemorrhage (tICH) in older patients following head trauma in the field. We also compared EMS provider judgment with other sets of field triage criteria. Methods: This was a prospective observational cohort study conducted with five EMS agencies and 11 hospitals in Northern California. Patients 55 years and older who experienced blunt head trauma were transported by EMS between August 1, 2015 and September 30, 2016, and received an initial cranial computed tomography (CT) imaging, were eligible. EMS providers were asked, "What is your suspicion for the patient having intracranial hemorrhage (bleeding in the brain)?" Responses were recorded as ordinal categories (<1%, 1-5%, >5-10%, >10-50%, or >50%) and the incidences of tICH were recorded for each category. The accuracy of EMS provider judgment was compared to other sets of triage criteria, including current field triage criteria, current field triage criteria plus multivariate logistical regression risk factors, and actual transport. Results: Among the 673 patients enrolled, 319 (47.0%) were male and the median age was 75 years (interquartile range 64-85). Seventy-six (11.3%) patients had tICH on initial cranial CT imaging. The increase in EMS provider judgment correlated with an increase in the incidence of tICH. EMS provider judgment had a sensitivity of 77.6% (95% CI 67.1-85.5%) and a specificity of 41.5% (37.7-45.5%) when using a threshold of 1% or higher suspicion for tICH. Current field triage criteria (Steps 1-3) was poorly sensitive (26.3%, 95% CI 17.7-37.2%) in identifying tICH and current field trial criteria plus multivariate logistical regression risk factors was sensitive (97.4%, 95% CI 90.9-99.3%) but poorly specific (12.9%, 95% CI 10.4-15.8%). Actual transport was comparable to EMS provider judgment (sensitivity 71.1%, 95% CI 60.0-80.0%; specificity 35.3%, 95% CI 31.6-38.3%). Conclusions: As EMS provider judgment for tICH increased, the incidence for tICH also increased. EMS provider judgment, using a threshold of 1% or higher suspicion for tICH, was more accurate than current field triage criteria, with and without additional risk factors included.

Ophthalmology referral as part of a multidisciplinary approach to suspected abusive head trauma.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the use of ophthalmology consultation as part of investigation of children with suspected abusive head trauma (AHT). METHODS: Retrospective chart review of children under age 3 years evaluated at McMaster Children's Hospital for suspected AHT from January 2011 to December 2017. RESULTS: Fifty-seven children were investigated, and 29 (50.9%) of these were determined to have likely AHT. Eleven (19.3%) had other nonaccidental injuries. A mean of 3.6 consulting services were involved. Neuroimaging was performed for 52 patients (91.2%), including all patients in the AHT group. Intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) was present in 21 of the 29 AHT children (72.4%). All 57 patients had a dilated fundus examination, and retinal hemorrhages (RH) were seen in 23 patients (40.4%), including 16 (55.2%) in the AHT group. All patients with RH in AHT also had ICH. In the AHT group, there were more cases of hemorrhages too numerous to count (68.8% vs 28.6%), multilayered hemorrhages (75.0% vs 57.1%), and hemorrhages in the posterior pole and periphery (87.5% vs 42.9%) when compared with patients with RH from other etiologies. Retinoschisis was seen in the AHT group only in 3 patients (18.8%). CONCLUSIONS: A multidisciplinary approach is important when investigating suspected AHT. Not every child with RH had suffered AHT; however, children with AHT showed more widespread and more multilayered RH. The only finding specific to AHT was retinoschisis.

Early diagnosis of traumatic intracranial hematomas.

Timing of the intervention for intracranial hematomas is critical for its success, specifically since expansion of the hemorrhage can result in debilitating and sometimes fatal outcomes. Led by Britton Chance, we and an extended team from University of Pennsylvania, Baylor and Drexel universities developed a handheld brain hematoma detector for early triage and diagnosis of head trauma victims. After obtaining de novo Food and Drug Administration clearance, over 200 systems are deployed in all Marine battalion aid stations around the world. Infrascanner, a handheld brain hematoma detection system, is based on the differential near-infrared light absorption of the injured versus the noninjured part of brain. About 12 independent studies have been conducted in the USA, Canada, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, Germany, Russia, Poland, Afghanistan, India, China, and Turkey. Here, we outline the background and design of the device as well as clinical studies with a total of 1293 patients and 203 hematomas. Infrascanner demonstrates high sensitivity (adults: 92.5% and children: 93%) and specificity (adults: 82.9% and children: 86.5%) in detecting intracranial hematomas >3.5 mL in volume and <2.5 cm from the surface of the brain. Infrascanner is a clinically effective screening solution for head trauma patients in prehospital settings where timely triage is critical.

Pediatric Minor Traumatic Brain Injury With Intracranial Hemorrhage: Identifying Low-Risk Patients Who May Not Benefit From ICU Admission.

BACKGROUND: Pediatric patients with any severity of traumatic intracranial hemorrhage (tICH) are often admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) for early detection of secondary injury. We hypothesize that there is a subset of these patients with mild injury and tICH for whom ICU care is unnecessary. OBJECTIVES: To quantify tICH frequency and describe disposition and to identify patients at low risk of inpatient critical care intervention (CCI). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed patients aged 0 to 17 years with tICH at a single level I trauma center from 2008 to 2013. The CCI included mechanical ventilation, invasive monitoring, blood product transfusion, hyperosmolar therapy, and neurosurgery. Binary recursive partitioning analysis led to a clinical decision instrument classifying patients as low risk for CCI. RESULTS: Of 296 tICH admissions without prior CCI in the field or emergency department, 29 had an inpatient CCI. The decision instrument classified patients as low risk for CCI when patients had absence of the following: midline shift, depressed skull fracture, unwitnessed/unknown mechanism, and other nonextremity injuries. This clinical decision instrument produced a high likelihood of excluding patients with CCI (sensitivity, 96.6%; 95% confidence interval, 82.2%-99.9%) from the low-risk group, with a negative likelihood ratio of 0.056 (95% confidence interval, -0.053-0.166). The decision instrument misclassified 1 patient with CCI into the low-risk group, but would have impacted disposition of 164 pediatric ICU admissions through 5 years (55% of the sample). CONCLUSIONS: A subset of low-risk patients may not require ICU admission. The proposed decision rule identified low-risk children with tICH who may be observable outside an ICU, although this rule requires external validation before implementation.

Cost-Effectiveness of Biomarker Screening for Traumatic Brain Injury.

Intracranial hemorrhage after traumatic brain injury (TBI) can be life threatening and requires prompt diagnosis. Computed tomography (CT) scans are a rapid and accurate way to evaluate for hemorrhage. In patients with mild and moderate TBI, however, in whom the incidence of intracranial pathology is low, scanning every patient with CT can be costly. The Food and Drug Administration recently approved a novel biomarker screen, the Banyan Trauma Indicator (BTI), to help streamline the decision for CT scanning in mild to moderate TBI. The BTI screen diagnoses intracranial lesions with a sensitivity and specificity of 97.5% and 99.6%, respectively. We performed cost analyses of the BTI screen to determine the threshold of cost-effectiveness, compared with application of clinical decision rules or routine CT scans, for cases of mild or moderate TBI. With a 0.104 probability of an intracranial lesion in mild TBI, the biomarker screen is cost-effective if the cost is $308.96 or below per test. In moderate TBI, because of the greater prevalence of intracranial lesions at 0.663, there is a lower need for screening, and BTI becomes cost-effective up to $73.41 per test.

Polymorphonuclear (PMN) elastase in patients after severe traumatic brain injury.

BACKGROUND: Data on PNM elastase levels in cerebrospinal fluid following traumatic brain injury (TBI) in humans are not available in the literature. Therefore, the aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the dynamics of PMN elastase in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients after TBI. METHODS: Patients suffering from isolated, closed TBI, presenting with an initial Glasgow coma score ≤ 8 and with intracerebral hemorrhage on the initial cranial computed tomography scan (performed within 90 min after TBI) were enrolled. CSF and blood samples were obtained immediately, 12 h, 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h after admission. ELISA testing was used to quantify the PMN elastase levels in CSF. In addition, the ratio of CSF albumin to serum albumin was calculated to evaluate the role of the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier (BCSFB). As controls, CSF samples were taken from patients receiving spinal anesthesia for elective orthopedic surgery of the lower extremity. RESULTS: Twenty-three patients meeting the inclusion criteria and ten control patients were enrolled. The PMN elastase showed a significant elevation at 48 and 72 h after TBI. When comparing the PMN elastase levels of patients with intact BCSFB to patients with defective BCSFB, there was no significant difference for the respective observation points. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to demonstrate that the PMN elastase levels in CSF significantly increased in the early posttraumatic phase (48 h and 72 h after TBI) in patients. The function of the BCSFB showed no significant influence on the PMN levels.