Auditory and neuropsychiatric behavior patterns after electrical injury

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Trauma Surgery
• Psychiatry

Background:

• Electrical injuries can result in extensive tissue damage.
• Incomplete functional recovery post-electrocution suggests potential residual brain damage.
• Distinguishing outcomes between electric-current injuries and other electrical burns is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the long-term neurobehavioral and auditory outcomes in patients with electric-current injuries versus other types of electrical burns.
• To identify specific risks associated with different mechanisms of electrical injury.

Main Methods:

• A cohort study of 101 patients admitted for electrical injury.
• Specialized psychiatric treatment coordinated with serial auditory and neurologic assessments for a subgroup of 16 electric-current injury patients and 18 patients with electrical injury without current passage.
• Comparison of preinjury and postinjury performance.

Main Results:

• Twelve of 16 patients (75%) with electric-current injury exhibited neurobehavioral dysfunction (implying brain damage) after 1 year.
• Eight of 16 patients (50%) with electric-current injury had persistent auditory changes.
• Four of 18 patients (22%) with electrical injury without current passage developed post-traumatic stress disorder; none showed neurobehavioral or auditory dysfunction.

Conclusions:

• Electric-current injuries pose a significant risk for permanent brain damage and auditory dysfunction.
• Patients with electrical burns from flash, contact, or arcing without current passage are not at risk for these specific long-term neurobehavioral or auditory deficits.
• Early identification and management of neurobehavioral and auditory changes are important for patients sustaining electric-current injuries.