Clinico-radiologic Profile of Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury in Western Rajasthan
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 11, 2026
Controlled Cortical Impact Model for Traumatic Brain Injury
Published on: August 5, 2014
Pawan Kumar Dara1, Manish Parakh2, Shyama Choudhary2
1Department of Pediatrics, S P Medical College, Bikaner, Rajasthan, India.
Insights
Pediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI) in India is frequently caused by falls and road traffic accidents. Early physiotherapy improves outcomes, and MRI can detect brain injuries missed by CT scans in children with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric neurology
- Traumatology
- Radiology
Background:
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in children.
- Understanding the clinico-radiological profile and outcomes is crucial for effective management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the clinico-radiological profile and outcomes of pediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI).
- To identify common causes, injury patterns, and influencing factors on outcomes in pediatric TBI.
Main Methods:
- A prospective observational study was conducted involving 188 children (1 month-18 years) with TBI.
- Patients were classified by TBI severity (mild, moderate, severe) and underwent neuroimaging (CT and MRI).
- Demographic data, injury mechanisms, and management including physiotherapy were recorded.
Main Results:
- Falls from height (61.11%) and road traffic accidents (27.78%) were the primary causes of TBI.
- 50% of cases had mild TBI, 27.78% moderate, and 22.22% severe.
- Early physiotherapy correlated with shorter hospital stays; MRI detected temporal lobe hematomas/contusions missed by CT in temporal bone fractures, and CSF leaks indicated basal skull fractures/contusions.
Conclusions:
- Falls are a common cause of pediatric TBI in India, alongside RTAs.
- Early physiotherapy and rehabilitation significantly improve outcomes in pediatric TBI.
- MRI is essential for detecting basal brain contusions in cases with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea/otorrhea, even with normal initial CT scans.
Objective:
The aim of this study was to evaluate clinico-radiological profile and outcome of pediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI).
Design:
Prospective observational study.
Setting:
Intensive Care Unit, ward and OPD of Pediatrics, Dr. S. N. Medical College, Jodhpur (tertiary care hospital).
Participants:
A total of 188 children (1 month-18 years) were enrolled and 108 admitted.
Intervention:
TBI classified as mild, moderate, or severe TBI. Neuroimaging was done and managed as per protocol. Demographic profile, mode of transport, and injury were recorded.
Outcome:
Measured as hospital stay duration, focal deficits, mortality, and effect of early physiotherapy.
Results:
Males slightly outnumbered females mean age was 5.41 ± 4.20 years. Fall from height was the main cause of TBI (61.11%) followed by road traffic accident (RTA) (27.78%). Majority (56.56%) reached hospital within 6 h of injury, out of which 27% of patients were unconscious. Mild, moderate, and severe grade of TBI was seen in 50%, 27.78%, and 22.22% of cases, respectively. About 12.96% of cases required ventilator support. The average duration of hospital stay was 11.81 ± 12.9 days and was lesser when physiotherapy and rehabilitation were started early. In all children with temporal bone fracture, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain revealed a temporal lobe hematoma and contusion in spite of initial computed tomography (CT) head normal. Children who have cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea/otorrhea had a high chance of fracture of base of skull and contusion of the basal part of the brain.
Conclusion:
In India, fall from height is common setting for pediatric TBI besides RTA. Early initiation of physiotherapy results in good outcome. MRI detects basal brain contusions in children presenting with CSF rhinorrhea/otorrhea even if initial CT brain is normal.
Related Concept Videos
01:15Western Blotting
The technique begins with separating proteins from the sample using sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), followed by protein transfer, immunoblotting, and finally, protein detection.
01:30Radiological Investigation I: X-ray and CT
01:20Traumatic Memory
01:30Radiological Investigation II: MRI and Ventilation Perfusion Scan
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Ventilation Perfusion Scans are two radiological investigations that offer detailed diagnostic images of the body, particularly lung structures.
MRI
MRI uses magnetic fields and radiofrequency signals to distinguish between normal and abnormal tissues. This technology provides a more detailed diagnostic image than CT scans, enabling it to characterize pulmonary nodules, stage bronchogenic carcinoma, and evaluate inflammatory activity in...
01:26Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion
01:13Radiological Investigation III: Pulmonary Angiogram and PET Scan
Pulmonary Angiogram
A Pulmonary Angiogram is an invasive procedure involving injecting a contrast medium through a catheter threaded into the pulmonary artery or the right side of the heart to visualize the pulmonary vasculature. Computed Tomography (CT) scans have mainly replaced this...