Articles: traumatic-brain-injuries.
-
Low brain oxygenation and differences in neuropsychological outcomes following severe pediatric TBI.
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in children. Preventing secondary injury by controlling physiological parameters (e.g. intracranial pressure [ICP], cerebral perfusion pressure [CPP] and brain tissue oxygen [PbtO2]) has a potential to improve outcome. Low PbtO2 is independently associated with poor clinical outcomes in both adults and children. However, no studies have investigated associations between low PbtO2 and neuropsychological and behavioural outcomes following severe pediatric TBI (pTBI). ⋯ Results demonstrate that low PbtO2 may be prognostic of not only mortality but also neuropsychological outcomes.
-
The glymphatic system is a recently discovered macroscopic waste clearance system that utilizes a unique system of perivascular tunnels, formed by astroglial cells, to promote efficient elimination of soluble proteins and metabolites from the central nervous system. Besides waste elimination, the glymphatic system also facilitates brain-wide distribution of several compounds, including glucose, lipids, amino acids, growth factors, and neuromodulators. ⋯ Since the concept of the glymphatic system is relatively new, we will here review its basic structural elements, organization, regulation, and functions. We will also discuss recent studies indicating that glymphatic function is suppressed in various diseases and that failure of glymphatic function in turn might contribute to pathology in neurodegenerative disorders, traumatic brain injury and stroke.
-
Impairment of cerebrovascular autoregulation is a risk factor for ischemic damage following severe brain injury. Autoregulation can be assessed indirectly using intracranial pressure monitoring as a surrogate of cerebral blood volume, but this measure may not be applicable to patients following decompressive craniectomy. Here, we describe assessment of autoregulation using regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF). ⋯ Assessment of autoregulation with Hemedex® rCBF monitor is feasible and could be used to guide CPP management strategies to optimize both autoregulation and perfusion. Autoregulatory impairment and CPPopt vary considerably between patients, and the addition of rCBF monitoring could help guide CPP targeting decisions.
-
Prehosp Disaster Med · Dec 2015
Doctor's Knowledge and Practices of Traumatic Brain Injury Management in Chinese Prehospital Settings.
The incidence and mortality of traumatic brain injury (TBI) has increased rapidly in the last decade in China. Appropriate ambulance service can reduce case-fatality rates of TBI significantly. This study aimed to explore the factors (age, gender, education level, clinical experience, professional title, organization, specialty before prehospital care, and training frequency) that could influence prehospital doctors' knowledge level and practices in TBI management in China, Hubei Province. ⋯ This study described the current situation of prehospital TBI management. The prehospital doctors' knowledge level and practices in TBI management were quantified and the influential factors hidden underneath were explored. The results indicated that an appropriate continuing medical education (CME) program enables improvement of the quality of ambulance service in China.
-
Journal of critical care · Dec 2015
Predictors of intensive care unit length of stay and intracranial pressure in severe traumatic brain injury.
The aim of this study was to explore the relationship of intracranial pressure (ICP) with intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay in a large cohort of severe traumatic brain injury patients and identify factors associating with prolonged ICU course. ⋯ ICP, as monitored and managed according to BTF guidelines, is not associated with ICU length of stay. Patients with severe TBI and a mass lesion on admission head computed tomography were found to have prolonged ICU LOS independently of other indicators of injury severity and intracranial pressure course.