Computed tomographic parameters correlate with coagulation disorders in isolated traumatic brain injury

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Radiology
• Hematology

Background:

• Traumatic brain injury (TBI) can cause coagulopathy due to disrupted hemostatic balance.
• Cranial computed tomography (CT) is crucial for assessing brain injury severity.
• Understanding the link between CT findings and coagulopathy is vital for patient management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between quantitative cranial CT parameters and coagulopathy in TBI patients.
• To identify specific CT metrics that predict the presence and severity of TBI-induced coagulopathy.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of medical records from TBI patients with minor extracranial injuries (AIS < 3).
• Comparison of quantitative cranial CT parameters between patients with and without coagulopathy.
• Correlation analysis (univariate and multivariate) between CT parameters and coagulation markers (APTT, platelet count).

Main Results:

• TBI patients with coagulopathy exhibited larger intracerebral hemorrhage/contusion (ICH/C) volumes, compressed basal cisterns, higher Graeb scores, and more subarachnoid hemorrhage.
• ICH/C volume was identified as an independent predictor of coagulopathy.
• ICH/C volume positively correlated with activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and negatively correlated with platelet count (PLT).

Conclusions:

• Intracerebral hemorrhage/contusion (ICH/C) volume on cranial CT is a significant quantitative parameter for predicting coagulopathy after TBI.
• The findings underscore the close relationship between the extent of parenchymal brain damage, vessel injury, and the development of coagulopathy.