Ocular Ultrasonography: A Useful Instrument in Patients with Trauma Brain Injury in Emergency Service

Area of Science:

• Neurosurgery
• Ophthalmology
• Emergency Medicine

Background:

• Elevated intracranial pressure (ICP) is a critical concern in moderate traumatic brain injury (TBI).
• Hospital-acquired increases in ICP can complicate patient management.
• Current invasive ICP monitoring methods have limitations and accessibility issues in emergency care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate ocular ultrasonography as a noninvasive tool for assessing elevated ICP in moderate TBI.
• To explore the utility of optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) measurement via ultrasound.

Main Methods:

• Utilized ocular ultrasonography to measure the optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD).
• Assessed patients with moderate TBI who were at risk for increased ICP.

Main Results:

• Optic nerve sheath measurement by ocular ultrasonography shows potential as an indirect indicator of increased ICP.
• This noninvasive technique offers a convenient alternative when invasive ICP monitoring is not feasible or recommended.

Conclusions:

• Ocular ultrasonography is a promising noninvasive technique for early detection of elevated ICP in moderate TBI.
• It serves as a valuable bedside tool in emergency departments, complementing or replacing invasive monitoring.