Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 20, 2026

A Pediatric Concussion Model in Mice: Closed Head Injury with Long-Term Disorders (CHILD)
07:01

A Pediatric Concussion Model in Mice: Closed Head Injury with Long-Term Disorders (CHILD)

Published on: February 7, 2025

[Ascite and head trauma in a child]

C Laplace1, M Bonnard-Gougeon

  • 1Service de chirurgie infantile, Hôtel-Dieu, avenue Vercingétorix, BP 69, 63003 Clermont-Ferrand 1, France. laplace.christophe@wanadoo.fr

Annales Francaises D'Anesthesie Et De Reanimation
|August 30, 2003
PubMed

Insights

A pediatric brain injury case revealed unexpected ascites, likely due to central beta-sympathetic hyperactivity. This condition resolved spontaneously within weeks, highlighting a novel trauma complication.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Traumatology
  • Neurocritical Care
  • Gastroenterology

Background:

  • Traumatic brain injury (TBI) in pediatric patients can lead to complex systemic complications.
  • Ascites, the accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity, is an uncommon finding post-trauma.

Observation:

  • An 11-month-old boy sustained a severe TBI with right frontal lobe contusion and bleeding after a fall.
  • Ascites developed 6 days post-trauma, confirmed as transudative fluid via CT, with no identified abdominal lesions.
  • The ascites resolved spontaneously by day 19 post-trauma.

Findings:

  • The ascites was hypothesized to be mediated by beta-sympathetic hyperactivity originating from the central nervous system.
  • This suggests a potential link between TBI severity and autonomic nervous system dysregulation affecting fluid balance.
  • Sequential echography demonstrated progressive improvement and eventual resolution of the ascites.

Implications:

  • This case highlights a rare, potentially overlooked complication of pediatric TBI.
  • It underscores the importance of considering central nervous system-mediated autonomic dysfunction in unexplained post-traumatic ascites.
  • Further research into the neuro-autonomic pathways involved in post-TBI fluid dysregulation is warranted.

More Related Videos

Assessing Changes in Synaptic Plasticity Using an Awake Closed-Head Injury Model of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury09:49

Assessing Changes in Synaptic Plasticity Using an Awake Closed-Head Injury Model of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

Published on: January 20, 2023

An Investigation of the Effects of Sports-related Concussion in Youth Using Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging and the Head Impact Telemetry System07:02

An Investigation of the Effects of Sports-related Concussion in Youth Using Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging and the Head Impact Telemetry System

Published on: January 12, 2011

Related Concept Videos

Increased Intracranial Pressure l: Introduction01:14

Increased Intracranial Pressure l: Introduction

Intracranial hypertension is a sustained elevation of intracranial pressure (ICP) above 22 mm Hg. In supine adults, normal ICP is ~7–15 mm Hg.The rigid, nonexpandable cranium contains three components—brain tissue, blood, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)—that total ~1,700 mL in a typical adult: 1,400 mL brain (~80%), 150 mL blood (~10%), and 150 mL CSF (~10%). According to the Monro–Kellie doctrine, total intracranial volume is effectively fixed. When one component expands, CSF and venous blood...
Increased Intracranial Pressure ll: Pathophysiology01:29

Increased Intracranial Pressure ll: Pathophysiology

Increased intracranial pressure (ICP) refers to a potentially life-threatening rise in pressure inside the skull. This usually happens when there is a major change in the volume of brain tissue, blood, or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) — the three components inside the skull. According to the Monro-Kellie doctrine, if the volume of one component increases, the volumes of the other components must decrease to maintain normal pressure. If this does not happen, ICP rises.The process often begins with...
Cerebral Edema ll: Pathophysiology01:22

Cerebral Edema ll: Pathophysiology

Vasogenic edema is a major form of cerebral edema characterized by abnormal accumulation of fluid in the brain’s extracellular space due to disruption of the blood–brain barrier (BBB). The BBB is a specialized structure composed of endothelial cells connected by tight junctions, supported by astrocytic endfeet and a basement membrane. Under normal conditions, it tightly regulates the movement of ions, proteins, and solutes between the bloodstream and brain parenchyma. When this barrier loses...
Brain Abscess l: Introduction01:26

Brain Abscess l: Introduction

A brain abscess is a focal, intracerebral infection characterized by a localized collection of pus within the brain parenchyma, resulting from microbial invasion and the body’s inflammatory response. It progresses through stages: early and late cerebritis, followed by early and late capsule formation, reflecting tissue destruction, immune response, and eventual encapsulation.Etiology and PathogenesisCausative organisms vary with source and host factors, often involving polymicrobial infections,...
Cerebral Edema l: Introduction01:19

Cerebral Edema l: Introduction

Cerebral edema is a pathological increase in brain water content that disrupts intracranial pressure regulation and impairs neurological function. Because the cranial vault is rigid, even modest increases in tissue volume can compromise cerebral perfusion, distort neural structures, and initiate secondary injury. Cerebral edema develops through four principal mechanisms: vasogenic, cytotoxic, interstitial, and ionic.Vasogenic EdemaVasogenic edema arises from disruption of the blood–brain...
Traumatic Brain Injury l: Introduction01:28

Traumatic Brain Injury l: Introduction

DefinitionTraumatic brain injury, or TBI, is a disturbance of normal brain function induced by an external mechanical force, such as a direct blow to the head or a penetrating injury. It can affect both brain structure and function, producing a wide range of clinical outcomes. TBI is a heterogeneous condition, meaning its effects may differ based on the type, location, and severity of the injury.Basis of ClassificationTBI is classified based on severity, injury mechanism, or pathophysiology. In...