Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 26, 2026
04:19
A Mouse Model of Single and Repetitive Mild Traumatic Brain Injury
Published on: June 20, 2017
10.9K
Mild traumatic brain injury defined by Glasgow Coma Scale: Is it really mild?
Bellal Joseph1, Viraj Pandit, Hassan Aziz
1Division of Trauma, Critical Care, Emergency Surgery, and Burns, Department of Surgery, University of Arizona , Tucson, AZ , USA.
Brain Injury
|August 12, 2014
Summary
Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) with intracranial injury can progress. Base deficit >4 and displaced skull fractures predict the need for neurosurgical intervention in these patients.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Trauma Surgery
- Emergency Medicine
Background:
- Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) is conventionally defined by a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of 13-15.
- Patients with mTBI and intracranial injury require careful monitoring for potential complications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify predictors of disease progression on repeat head CT (RHCT) and neurosurgical intervention (NSI).
- To evaluate factors influencing outcomes in mild TBI patients with intracranial injuries.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective chart review of 876 patients with blunt TBI, intracranial injury, and GCS 13-15.
- Exclusion of patients on anti-platelet or anti-coagulation therapy.
- Outcomes assessed: RHCT progression and need for NSI (craniotomy/craniectomy).
Main Results:
- 13.1% of patients showed progression on RHCT.
- Progression was associated with subdural haemorrhage ≥10 mm (8x), epidural haemorrhage ≥10 mm (5x), and base deficit ≥4 (3x).
- Displaced skull fractures (10x) and base deficit >4 (21x) strongly predicted NSI.
Conclusions:
- A mild GCS score does not rule out progression or the need for NSI in TBI patients with intracranial injury.
- Base deficit >4 and displaced skull fractures are key predictors for NSI in mild TBI with intracranial injury.
