Articles: brain-injuries.
-
The forensic assessment of non-fatal gunshot wounds often proves to be difficult as wounds have usually been cleaned and protected with a sterile bandage by the time of the examination. The aim of our investigation was to test the possible application of computed tomography (CT) for the forensic assessment. ⋯ For unjacketed lead bullets, radiopaque material could be seen in the depth of the entrance would for firing distances up to 10 cm. In individual cases, CT data and the 3-D reconstruction could provide valuable information in the forensic assessment of patients with gunshot wounds.
-
J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatr. · Jan 2000
Snapshot view of emergency neurosurgical head injury care in Great Britain and Ireland.
To study the availability of neurosurgical intensive care for the traumatically brain injured in all 36 neurosurgical centres in the United Kingdom and Ireland receiving head injuries, the response times to referral, and the advice given to the referring hospitals. ⋯ There is a severe shortage of available emergency neurosurgical beds especially in the south east of England. The lack of immediately available neurosurgical intensive care beds results in delays of transfer that could adversely affect the outcome of surgery for traumatic intracranial haematoma. Advice given to the referring units by the receiving doctors is very variable.
-
To determine the frequency and nature of post-TBI personality disorders (PDs) in a community-based sample of individuals with TBI. ⋯ These findings argue against a specific TBI personality syndrome, but rather a diversity of personality disorders reflective of the persistent challenges and compensatory coping strategies developed by individuals post-TBI. Prospective need for clinical assessment, pro-active education and focused treatment approaches are discussed.
-
Comparative Study
Comparative mortality of adults with traumatic brain injury in California, 1988--97.
We studied mortality rates of people with traumatic brain injury using the extensive California Department of Developmental Services database. The data provide mortality rates by age, gender, severity, cause, and associated conditions on 2629 subjects older than 15 years during 1988--97. Increased mortality was observed, particularly among patients with diminished mobility.
-
Acta Neurochir. Suppl. · Jan 2000
Distinguishing between cellular and vasogenic edema in head injured patients with focal lesions using magnetic resonance imaging.
Having determined that edema and not vascular engorgement is the major factor leading to traumatic brain swelling, the objective of this study was to determine which type of edema, cellular or vasogenic, is responsible for increased tissue water in patients with focal lesions. Severely head injured patients (GCS 8 or less) were transported to imaging suites for measurement of brain water and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) using magnetic resonance technique. Cerebral blood flow by stable Xenon method was also measured in the regions of interest. ⋯ The increase in water was associated with reduced ADC signifying a predominant cellular edema. The ADC in the contralateral hemisphere was near normal value. Cerebral blood flow values in the regions of interest were above ischemic levels suggesting that factors other than ischemia are responsible for the cytotoxic swelling in patients with focal injury.