[Clinical scoring scales for brain injury]

The development of data processing techniques has enabled the establishment of large databanks on brain injury. Clinical features are described with clinical scoring scales, the main one being the Glasgow Coma Scale. Three types of patient response are analyzed: eye opening, oral answers, active muscular reaction. The advantages and disadvantages of each are presented. Others scales have been proposed but are not in common use. Several classifications have been established combining depth and length of coma. Post-traumatic amnesia, i.e. the period of time running from the injury to recovery of anterograde memory, constitutes the most important parameter in the classification of these injuries. Generally, three gravity grades are used: mild, moderate and severe brain injuries. Knowledge of the prognosis is essential for determining the most appropriate medical care and is directly related to the quality of the collected data. Five outcome categories can be described.