Surg Neurol
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This article investigates nitric oxide (NO) metabolism following severe head injury (SHI). We wished to clarify the alterations of NO metabolism end products that is associated with SHI, and to delineate the role of inflammation in this process. ⋯ In patients with SHI, CSF concentrations of the dominant metabolites of NO are elevated in the first 3 days after trauma. A similar concurrent spike in the CSF level of IL-8, a marker of acute inflammatory response, can also be demonstrated. These data indicate that the predominant cause of the higher CSF NO(-)(2) + NO(-)(3) concentrations observed in SHI is most likely inflammation.