Comparison of the predictive value of two international guidelines for safe discharge of patients with mild traumatic brain injuries and associated intracranial pathology

Purpose To determine and compare the sensitivity, specificity, and proportion of patients eligible for discharge by the Brain Injury Guidelines and the Mild TBI Risk Score in patients with mild traumatic brain injury and concomitant intracranial injury. Methods Retrospective review of the medical records of adult patients with traumatic intracranial injuries and an initial Glasgow Coma Scale score of 14–15, who sought care at Helsingborg Hospital between 2014/01/01 and 2019/12/31. Both guidelines were theoretically applied. The sensitivity, specificity, and percentage of the cohort that theoretically could have been discharged by either guideline were calculated. The outcome was defined as death, in-hospital intervention, admission to the intensive care unit, requiring emergency intubation due to intracranial injury, decreased consciousness, or seizure within 30 days of presentation. Results Of the 538 patients included, 8 (1.5%) and 10 (1.9%) were eligible for discharge according to the Brain Injury Guidelines and the Mild TBI Risk Score, respectively. Both guidelines had a sensitivity of 100%. The Brain Injury Guidelines had a specificity of 2.3% and the Mild TBI Risk Score had a specificity of 2.9%. Conclusion There was no difference between the two guidelines in sensitivity, specificity, or proportion of the cohort eligible for discharge. Specificity and proportion of cohort eligible for discharge were lower than each guideline’s original study. At present, neither guideline can be recommended for implementation in the current or similar settings.

Comparison of intracranial injury predictability between machine learning algorithms and the nomogram in pediatric traumatic brain injury

OBJECTIVE The overuse of head CT examinations has been much discussed, especially those for minor traumatic brain injury (TBI). In the disruptive era, machine learning (ML) is one of the prediction tools that has been used and applied in various fields of neurosurgery. The objective of this study was to compare the predictive performance between ML and a nomogram, which is the other prediction tool for intracranial injury following cranial CT in children with TBI. METHODS Data from 964 pediatric patients with TBI were randomly divided into a training data set (75%) for hyperparameter tuning and supervised learning from 14 clinical parameters, while the remaining data (25%) were used for validation purposes. Moreover, a nomogram was developed from the training data set with similar parameters. Therefore, models from various ML algorithms and the nomogram were built and deployed via web-based application. RESULTS A random forest classifier (RFC) algorithm established the best performance for predicting intracranial injury following cranial CT of the brain. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for the performance of RFC algorithms was 0.80, with 0.34 sensitivity, 0.95 specificity, 0.73 positive predictive value, 0.80 negative predictive value, and 0.79 accuracy. CONCLUSIONS The ML algorithms, particularly the RFC, indicated relatively excellent predictive performance that would have the ability to support physicians in balancing the overuse of head CT scans and reducing the treatment costs of pediatric TBI in general practice.

The impact of helmet use on neurosurgical care and outcomes after pediatric all-terrain vehicle and dirt bike crashes: a 10-year single-center experience

OBJECTIVE All-terrain vehicle (ATV) and dirt bike crashes frequently result in traumatic brain injury. The authors performed a retrospective study to evaluate the role of helmets in the neurosurgical outcomes of pediatric patients involved in ATV and dirt bike crashes who were treated at their institution during the last decade. METHODS The authors analyzed data on all pediatric patients involved in ATV or dirt bike crashes who were evaluated at a single regional level I pediatric trauma center between 2010 and 2019. Patients were excluded if the crash occurred in a competition (n = 70) or if helmet status could not be determined (n = 18). Multivariable logistic regression was used to analyze the association of helmet status with the primary outcomes of 1) neurosurgical consultation, 2) intracranial injury (including skull fracture), and 3) moderate or severe traumatic brain injury (MSTBI) and to control for literature-based, potentially confounding variables. RESULTS In total, 680 patients were included (230 [34%] helmeted patients and 450 [66%] unhelmeted patients). Helmeted patients were more frequently male (81% vs 66%). Drivers were more frequently helmeted (44.3%) than passengers (10.5%, p < 0.001). Head imaging was performed to evaluate 70.9% of unhelmeted patients and 48.3% of helmeted patients (p < 0.001). MSTBI (8.0% vs 1.7%, p = 0.001) and neurosurgical consultation (26.2% vs 9.1%, p < 0.001) were more frequent among unhelmeted patients. Neurosurgical injuries, including intracranial hemorrhage (16% vs 4%, p < 0.001) and skull fracture (18% vs 4%, p < 0.001), were more common in unhelmeted patients. Neurosurgical procedures were required by 2.7% of unhelmeted patients. One helmeted patient (0.4%) required placement of an intracranial pressure monitor, and no other helmeted patients required neurosurgical procedures. After adjustment for age, sex, driver status, vehicle type, and injury mechanism, helmet use significantly reduced the odds of neurosurgical consultation (OR 0.250, 95% CI 0.140–0.447, p < 0.001), intracranial injury (OR 0.172, 95% CI 0.087–0.337, p < 0.001), and MSTBI (OR 0.244, 95% CI 0.079–0.758, p = 0.015). The unadjusted absolute risk reduction provided by helmet use equated to a number-needed-to-helmet of 6 riders to prevent 1 neurosurgical consultation, 4 riders to prevent 1 intracranial injury, and 16 riders to prevent 1 MSTBI. CONCLUSIONS Helmet use remains problematically low among young ATV and dirt bike riders, especially passengers. Expanding helmet use among these children could significantly reduce the rates of intracranial injury and MSTBI, as well as the subsequent need for neurosurgical procedures. Promoting helmet use among recreational ATV and dirt bike riders must remain a priority for neurosurgeons, public health officials, and injury prevention professionals.

Hospitalization and Morbidity Rates After Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury: A Nation-Wide Population-Based Analysis

Background: Even though traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in children around the globe, population-based and nation-wide data to assess the burden of TBI is scarce.Methods:Based on diagnosis related groups from nation-wide hospital data, we extracted data on all TBI-related hospitalizations in children &lt;18 years in Germany between 2014 and 2018. We calculated crude, age-specific and standardized incidence rates for hospitalizations, imaging, intracranial injury, neurosurgery, and mortality.Results:Out of 10.2 million hospitalizations, we identified 458,844 cases with TBI as primary or secondary diagnosis, resulting in a crude incidence rate of 687/100,000 child years (CY). Age-specific rates of computed tomography were below 30/100,000 CY until the age of 10 years and increased to 162/100,000 CY until 17 years of age. Intracranial injury was diagnosed in 2.7%, neurosurgery was performed in 0.7% of patients, and 0.7% were mechanically ventilated. Mortality was 0.67/100,000 CY (0.1%).Conclusions:Despite substantial hospitalization rates for pediatric TBI in Germany, the rates of imaging, the need for mechanical ventilation, neurosurgery and mortality were overall very low. Reasons for hospitalization and measures to reduce unnecessary admissions warrant further investigation.

Bilateral globe luxation with multiple facial fractures: what next?

Luxation of the globe is a rare, vision-threatening event that can presently spontaneously or following trauma. A 35-year-old man presented with bilaterally luxated globe, postroad traffic accident. On imaging, bilateral LeFort fracture type 1, 2 and 3 with palatal split along with nasal bone and orbital floor fracture. Both condyles and left parasymphysis of mandible were fractured. There was no evidence of intracranial injury. There was pneumothorax on the right side for which intercostal drainage (ICD) tube was placed. On exploring, bilateral optic nerve avulsion was present. Both the globes were repositioned and a temporary tarsorrhaphy was placed for cosmetic rehabilitation. On follow-up visits after 6 months, both eyes were in their sockets with minimal exodeviation. It is important to reposition the globes, even with extensive periorbital fracture at the earliest. The longer the globe and orbital structures are prolapsed, the poorer are the structural and cosmetic prognosis owing to ocular ischaemia.

Incidence, ethology and location of extradural hematoma in surgically managed patients

One of the major public health issues worldwide is traumatic brain injury. EDH is most commonly located in the temporoparietal region. Proper and timely management of these patients improves the outcome. To interpret theincidence, etiology and location of EDH in surgically managed patients.Surgically operated EDH patients were epidemiologically analysed as per the age, gender, mechanism of injury, GCS at admission, site of hematoma and associated intracranial injuries.: Epidemiological analysis of thirty operated EDH patients was done.: Statistical evaluation was done .EDH was more common (76.67%) among males than females (23.33%). Mostly patients (50%) were in the age group of 21-41 years. Road traffic accident was the most common (50%) mode of trauma leading to EDH occurrence. Temporoparietal EDH was the most common (36.66%) location on CT scan. Most common (70%) associated intracranial injury observed was the skull fractures.: EDH is a serious complication of head injury. Early diagnosis and proper management is required. EDH is more common in men. Careful interpretation of CT scan head is important to get information about the location EDH and other associated injuries before proceeding for surgical evacuation.

Acute traumatic brain injury and the use of head computed tomography scans in the emergency department

Introduction The use of CT head scanning for traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a vital diagnostic tool, guided by risk stratification tools. This study aims to review the use of CT head scans and adherence to guidelines for TBI in two New Zealand emergency departments (EDs). Methods Retrospective observational study of patients referred for head CT from EDs to exclude a significant intracranial injury between 1st September 2018 and 31st August 2019. Clinical data were collected regarding presenting patterns, identification of injuries on CT scan and adherence to National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) CT head guidelines. Results Out of 425 included cases, 41 (10%) patients had an intracranial injury seen on their CT head scan. Patients who reported loss (32% vs 20%, p < 0.05) or possible loss of consciousness (34% vs 22%, p < 0.05) and had a Glasgow Coma Score (GCS) <13 (17% vs 8%, p < 0.05) or focal neurology (10% vs 3%, p < 0.05) were more likely to have an intracranial injury on CT. Interestingly, 17 (41%) patients with CT diagnosed injuries had a GCS 15 and no focal neurology. NICE guidelines were adhered to in 364 (86%) of CT requests. In the 14% of cases that did not meet guideline criteria, all CT head scans were negative. Conclusion CT head scans are a valuable tool in TBI, and guidelines successfully identify those with significant intracranial injuries. However, the rate of significant injury for the total population requiring head CT remains low, with over 90% of head CTs in the population normal, despite high guideline compliance, perhaps identifying a role for novel objective tests in ED guidelines internationally.