9例损伤性膈疝的救治体会

９例损伤性膈疝的救治体会蔡文兴损伤性膈疝多见于严重的胸腹复合伤。１９７６年９月～１９９３年８月共救治９例，现将救治体会报告如下。１临床资料９例中男性７例，女性２例，年龄６～７０岁。左侧膈疝８例，右侧膈疝１例；开放性损伤１例，闭合性损伤８例；刀刺伤１例...

中老年脑外伤患者急性创伤性凝血病的危险因素分析

目的确定急性单纯性创伤性脑损伤(iTBI)是否是急性创伤性凝血病(acutetraumatic coagulation,ATC)的独立危险因素,以及评估与该并发症相关的危险因素.方法回顾性收集了2013年6月1日至2018年6月1日期间苏州大学附属第一医院符合研究标准的急性创伤患者345例.根据简明损伤评分量表(AIS评分)将纳入研究的患者分为三组:急性单纯性创伤性脑损伤组(iTBI组)、含TBI的多发伤组及非TBI的多发伤组.以ATC及进展性出血性损伤(progressive hemorrhagic injury,PHI)作为因变量,分别建立多因素Logistic回归模型,分析ATC、PHI的危险因素.结果本研究纳入了345例符合标准的患者作为研究对象,其中iTBI组78例;含TBI的多发伤组(TBI+组)120例;非TBI的多发伤组(NTBI组)147例.TBI+组患者ATC的发生率最高(36.7%),与类似损伤程度的NTBI患者比较,iTBI相关ATC的发生率并无明显升高.ATC患者的总体院内病死率为39.3%,而非ATC患者的总病死率为17.6%(P<0.01).iTBI不是发生凝血功能障碍的独立危险因素(OR 1.25,95%CI0.34~4.67,P=0.73).多变量分析确定了创伤严重程度评分(ISS)、格拉斯哥昏迷评分(GCS)≤8分、休克指数>1及年龄>75岁是创伤后凝血功能障碍的独立危险因素.多变量分析确定了ISS评分、INR>1.5及血小板计数(PLT)<100×109/L均与PHI独立相关.结论①iTBI不是发生凝血功能障碍的独立危险因素,但当其合并多发伤时则明显增加ATC的发生率.②ISS评分、GCS评分≤8分、休克指数>1及年龄>75岁是创伤后发生ATC的独立危险因素.③ISS评分INR>1.5及PLT<100×109/L均是PHI的独立危险因素.

Effects of intestinal mucosal blood flow and motility on intestinal mucosa

AIM： To investigate the role of intestinal mucosal blood flow （IMBF） and motility in the damage of intestinal mucosal barrier in rats with traumatic brain injury. METHODS： Sixty-four healthy male Wistar rats were divided randomly into two groups： traumatic brain injury （TBI） group （n = 32）, rats with traumatic brain injury; and control group （n = 32）, rats with sham-operation. Each group was divided into four subgroups （n = 8） as 6, 12, 24 and 48 h after operation. Intestinal motility was measured by the propulsion ratio of a semi-solid colored marker （carbon-ink）. IMBF was measured with the laser-Doppler technique. Endotoxin and D-xylose levels in plasma were measured to evaluate the change of intestinal mucosal barrier function following TBI. RESULTS： The level of endotoxin was significantly higher in TBI group than in the control group at each time point （0.382 ± 0.014 EU/mL vs 0.102 ± 0.007 EU/mL, 0.466 ± 0.018 EU/mL vs 0.114 ± 0.021 EU/mL, 0.478± 0.029 EU/mL vs 0.112 ±- 0.018 EU/mL and 0.412± 0.036 EU/mL vs 0.108 ±0.011 EU/mL, P 〈 0.05）. D-xylose concentrations in plasma in TBI group were significantly higher than in the control group （6.68 ± 2.37 mmol/L vs 3.66 ±1.07 retool/L, 8.51 ± 2.69 mmol/L vs 3.15 ＋ 0.95 mmol/L, 11.68 ±3.24 mmol/L vs 3.78 ± 1.12 mmol/L and 10.23 ± 2.83 mmol/L vs 3.34 ± 1.23 mmol/L, P 〈 0.05）. The IMBF in TBI group was significantly lower than that in the control group （38.5 ± 2.8 PU vs 45.6 ± 4.6 PU, 25.2 ± 3.1 PU vs 48.2 ± 5.3 PU, 21.5 ± 2.7 PU vs 44.9 ± 2.8 PU, 29. 4 ± 3.8 PU vs 46.7 ± 3.2 PU） （P 〈 0.05）. Significant decelerations of intestinal propulsion ratio in T8I groups were found compared with the control group （0.48% ± 0.06% vs 0.62%± 0.03%, 0.37% ±0.05% vs 0.64% ± 0.01%, 0.39% ± 0.07% vs 0.63% =1= 0.05% and 0.46% ± 0.03% vs 0.65% ± 0.02%） （P 〈 0.05）. CONCLUSION： The intestinal mucosal permeability is increased obviously in TBI rats. Decrease of intestinal motility and IMBF occur early in TBI, both are important pathogenic factors for stress-related damage of the intestinal mucosal barrier in TBI.

Risk Factors Analysis on Traumatic Brain Injury Prognosis

Objective To investigate the independent risk factors of traumatic brain injury （TBI） prognosis. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed in 885 hospitalized TBI patients from January 1, 2003 to January 1, 2010 in the First Affiliated Hospital of Medical College of Xi＇an Jiaotong LIniversity. Sin- gle-factor and logistic regression analysis were conducted to evaluate the association of different variables with TBI outcome. Results The single-factor analysis revealed outcome, including age （P=0.044 for the age group （P〈0.O01）, cerebrospinal fluid leakage （P〈0.001）, reflex （P〈0.001）, shock （P〈0.001）, associated （P〈0.001）, cerebral contusion （P〈0.001）, diffuse significant association between several variables and TB1 40-60, P〈0.00l for the age group ≥60）, complications Glasgow Coma Scale （GCS） （P〈0.001）, pupillary light extra-cranial lesions （P=0.01）, subdural hematoma axonal injury （P〈0.001）, and subarachnoid hemorrhage （P〈0.001）, suggesting the influence of those factors on the prognosis of TBI. Furthermore, logistic regression analysis identified age, GCS score, pupillary light reflex, subdural hematoma, and subarachnoid hemorrhage as independent risk factors of TB1 prognosis. Conclusion Age, GCS score, papillary light reflex, subdural hematoma, and subarachnoid hemorrhage may be risk factors influencing the prognosis of TBI. Paying attention to those factors might improve the outcome of TBI in clinical treatment.

Cognitive improvement following transvenous adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cell transplantation in a rat model of traumatic brain injury

The effects of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cell (ADMSC) transplantation for the repair of traumatic brain injury remain poorly understood. The present study observed neurological functional changes in a rat model of traumatic brain injury following ADMSC transplantation via the tail vein. Cell transplants were observed in injured cerebral cortex, and expression of brain-derived nerve growth factor was significantly increased in the injured hippocampus following transplantation. Results demonstrated that transvenous ADMSC transplants migrated to the injured cerebral cortex and significantly improved cognitive function.

Concussion management in soccer

Brain injuries in sports drew more and more public attentions in recent years. Brain injuries vary by name, type, and severity in the athletic setting. It should be noted, however, that these injuries are not isolated to only the athletic arena, as non-athletic mechanisms （e.g., motor vehicle accidents） are more common causes of traumatic brain injuries （TBI） among teenagers. Notwithstanding, as many as 1.6 to 3.8 million TBI result from sports and recreation each year in the United States alone. These injuries are extremely costly to the global health care system, and make TBI among the most expensive conditions to treat in children. This article serves to define common brain injuries in sport; describe their prevalence, what happens to the brain following injury, how to recognize and manage these injuries, and what you can expect as the athlete recovers. Some return-to-activity considerations for the brain-injured athlete will also be discussed.

Postural control deficits identify lingering post-concussion neurological deficits

Concussion,or mild traumatic brain injury,incidence rates have reached epidemic levels and impaired postural control is a cardinal symptom.The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the linear and non-linear assessments of post-concussion postural control.The current acute evaluation for concussion utilizes the subjective balance error scoring system(BESS) to assess postural control.While the sensitivity of the overall test battery is high,the sensitivity of the BESS is unacceptably low and,with repeat administration,is unable to accurately identify recovery.Sophisticated measures of postural control,utilizing traditional linear assessments,have identified impairments in postural control well beyond BESS recovery.Both assessments of quiet stance and gait have identified lingering impairments for at least 1 month post-concussion.Recently,the application of non-linear metrics to concussion recovery have begun to receive limited attention with the most commonly utilized metric being approximate entropy(Ap En).Ap En,most commonly in the medial-lateral plane,has successfully identified impaired postural control in the acute post-concussion timeframe even when linear assessments of instrumented measures are equivalent to healthy pre-injury values;unfortunately these studies have not gone beyond the acute phase of recovery.One study has identified lingering deficits in postural control,utilizing Shannon and Renyi entropy metrics,which persist at least through clinical recovery and return to participation.Finally,limited evidence from two studies suggest that individuals with a previous history of a single concussion,even months or years prior,may display altered Ap En metrics.Overall,non-linear metrics provide a fertile area for future study to further the understanding of postural control impairments acutely post-concussion and address the current challenge of sensitive identification of recovery.

Arousal effect and potential mechanism of dopamine-mediated acupuncture on traumatic brain injury

Traumatic brain injury(TBI)is a brain injury caused by direct external forces,and its prognosis depends on the extent of the damage and the changes in level of consciousness.Timely awakening from a coma is the first thorny problem to be solved in TBI treatment.Therefore,there is a need for the development of safe and effective methods for timely awakening after TBI coma.Dopamine(DA)and its receptors in the nervous system are involved in the regulation of wakefulness.The amount and activity of dopaminergic neurons can affect cellular function and neuroinflammatory response,and are also significant for the awakening process after TBI.The current common awakening therapy for TBI may also be related to the activation of dopaminergic neurons.Acupuncture plays a beneficial role in timely awakening,recovery of conscious level,and functional rehabilitation after TBI.The mechanism may be related to the targeted regulation of DA and its receptors via acupuncture.Among acupuncture first aid therapies,acupuncture at hand 12 Jing-Well points,with its advantages of simple operation and ultra-early intervention,has shown great promise in timely awakening following TBI and triggering a series of subsequent nerve repair effects in the treatment of TBI.We here present a review that provides a new perspective for the timely awakening from TBI-induced coma,with a focus on the role of DA in the regulation of wakefulness and the efficacy and potential mechanism of DA systems in the treatment of TBI by acupuncture.

NMDA receptor antagonist MK-801 reduces neuronal damage and preserves learning and memory in a rat model of traumatic brain injury

Objective NMDA receptor channel plays an important role in the pathophysiological process of traumatic brain injury （TBI）. The present study aims to study the pathological mechanism of TBI and the impairment of learning and memory after TBI, and to investigate the mechanism of the protective effect of NMDA receptor antagonist MK-801 on learning and memory disorder after TBI. Methods Forty Sprague-Dawley rats （weighing approximately 200 g） were randomized into 5 groups （n = 8 in each group）： control group, model group, low-dose group （MK-801 0.5 mg/kg）, middle-dose group （MK-801 2 mg/kg）, and high-dose group （MK-801 10 mg/kg）. TBI model was established using a weight-drop head injury mode. After 2-month drug treatment, learning and memory ability was evaluated by using Morris water maze test. Then the animals were sacrificed, and brain tissues were taken out for morphological and immunohistochemical assays. Results The ability of learning and memory was significantly impaired in the TBI model animals. Besides, the neuronal caspase-3 expression, neuronal nitric oxide synthase （nNOS）-positive neurons and OX-42-positive microglia were all increased in TBI animals. Meanwhile, the number of neuron synapses was decreased, and vacuoles degeneration could be observed in mitochondria. After MK-801 treatment at 3 different dosages, the ability of learning and memory was markedly improved, as compared to that of the TBI model animals. Moreover, neuronal caspase-3 expression, OX-42-positive microglia and nNOS-positive neurons were all significantly decreased. Meanwhile, the mitochondria degeneration was greatly inhibited. Conclusion MK-801 could significantly inhibit the degeneration and apoptosis of neurons in damaged brain areas. It could also inhibit TBI-induced increase in nNOS-positive neurons and OX-42-positive microglia. Impairment in learning and memory in TBI animals could be repaired by treatment with MK-801.

Influencing factors for posttraumatic hydrocephalus in patients suffering from severe traumatic brain injuries

Objective： To detect the influencing factors for posttraumatic hydrocephalus in patients with severe traumatic brain injuries and provide theoretical reference for clinical treatment. Methods ： Retrospective study was made on 139 patients with severe traumatic brain injuries in our hospital. The patients were divided into two groups： hydrocephalus group and non-hydrocephalus group. Single factor analysis and multiple factor analysis were used to determine the related factors and hydrocephalus. Multiple factor analysis was conducted with logistic regression. Results： Posttraumatic hydrocephalus was found in 19.42% of patients. Age （ OR=1.050, 95% CI： 1.012-1. 090 ）, decompressive craniectomy （ OR =4.312, 95 %CI ： 1. 127-16.503 ）, subarachnoid hemorrhage （ OR = 43.421, 95 % CI ： 7. 835-240. 652 ） and continuous lumbar drainage of cerebrospinal fluid （ OR =0.045, 95%CI： 0. 011-0. 175） were screened out from nine factors as the influencing factors for posttraumatic hydrocephalus. Conclusions ： Risk factors for PTH are as follows： age, deeompressive eranieetomy and subaraehnoid hemorrhage （SAH）. Continuous lumbar drainage of eerebrospinal fluid can greatly reduce posttraumatic hydrocephalus.

One stage anterior-posterior approach for traumatic atlantoaxial instability combined with subaxial cervical spinal cord injury

Objectives： To explore the clinical fea- tures of traumatic atlantoaxial instability combined with subaxial cervical spinal cord injury （CSCI）, and to analyze the feasibility, indication and therapeutic effects of anterior-posterior approach in such cases. Methods： From March 2004 to September 2009, 16 cases with this trauma were admitted and surgically treated in our department. Before surgery, skull traction was performed. Posterior atlantoaxial pedicle screw internal fixation and bone graft fusion were conducted to manage traumatic atlantoaxial instability. As for subaxial CSCI, anterior cervical corpectomy or discectomy decompression, bone grafting and internal fixation with steel plates were applied. Results： All operations were successful. The average operation time was 3 hours and operative blood loss 400 ml. Satisfactory reduction of both the upper and lower cervical spine and complete decompression were achieved. All patients were followed up for 12 to 36 months. Their clinical symptoms were improved by various levels. The Japanese Orthopaedic Association （JOA） scores ranged from 10（improvement rate=70.10%）. X-rays, spiral CT and MRI confirmed normal cervical alignments, complete decompression and fine implants＇ position. There was no breakage or loosening of screws, nor exodus of titanium mesh or implanted bone blocks. The grafted bone achieved fusion 3-6 months postoperatively and no atlantoaxial instability was observed. Conclusions： Traumatic atlantoaxial instability may combine with subaxial CSCI, misdiagnosis of which should be especially alerted and avoided. For severe cases, one stage anterior-posterior approach to decompress the upper and lower cervical spine, together with reposition, bone grafting and fusion, as well as internal fixation can immediately restore the normal alignments and stability of the cervical spine and effectively improve the spinal nervous function, thus being an ideal approach.

Evaluation of stress hormones in traumatic brain injury patients with gastrointestinal bleeding

Objective： To evaluate the local risk factors of traumatic brain injury （TBI） patients developing gastrointestinal （GI） bleeding during the early hospitalization in neurosurgery intensive care unit （NICU）. Method： From September 2005 to February 2006, 41 patients admitted to NICU and 13 healthy volunteers were involved in our study. Blood samples at 24 hours, 2-3 days and 5-7 days were obtained from each patient via arterial line at 8 a.m. to measure the concentrations of serum adrenocorticotropic hormone （ACTH）, total cortisol and gastrin. The collected serum was immersed in an ice bath and tested by the Immulite 1000 systems. Data were analyzed by SPSS 11.5. Results： Within 24 hours following TBI, the concentrations of total cortisol, ACTH and gastrin increased proportionally to the severity of injury, especially significant in the experimental group （P〈0.05）. The concentrations of ACTH and gastrin were higher in the GI bleeding positive group than in the GI bleeding negative group, （F=1.413, P=0.253） for ACTH and （F=9.371, P=0.006） for gastrin. GI bleeding had a positive correlation with gastrin concentration （r=0. 312, P〈0.05） and a negative correlation with serum hemoglobin （Hb） （r=-0.420, P〈0.01）. The clinical incidence of GI bleeding was 24.39% （10/41） in the experimental group. Within 24 hours, GI bleeding had a strong correlation with gastrin concentration （OR=26.643, P〈0.05） and hematocrit （Hct） （OR=5.385, P〈0.05）. High ACTH concentration （〉100 pg/ml） increased the frequency of GI bleeding. For patients with severe TBI and treated with routine antacids, the incidence of GI bleeding was 40.91% （9/22） and the mortality rate was 20%（2/10）. Conclusions： Low Glasgow coma scale scores, low Hb, high concentrations of gastrin and ACTH （〉 100 pg/ml） are risk factors and can be predictive values for post-traumatic GI bleeding. Severe TBI patients have high risks of GI bleeding with high mortality.

Significance of serum neuron-specific enolase in patients with acute traumatic brain iniurv

Objective: To study the association between serum neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and the extent of brain damage and the outcome after acute traumatic brain injury (TBI). Methods: The release patterns of serum NSE in 78 patients after acute TBI were analyzed by using the enzyme linked immunosobent assay. The levels of NSE were compared with Glasgow coma scale, the category of brain injury and the outcome after 6 months of injury. Results: There were different NSE values in patients with minor (12.96 μg/L±2.39 μg/L), moderate (23.44 μg/L±5.33 μg/L) and severe brain injury (42.68 μg/L±4.57 μg/L). After severe TBI, the concentration of NSE in patients with epidural hematomas was 13.38 μg/L±4.01 μg/L, 24.03 μg/L±2.85 μg/L in brain contusion without surgical intervention group, 55.20 μg/L±6.35 μg/L in brain contusion with surgical intervention group, and 83.85 μg/L±15.82 μg/L in diffuse brain swelling group. There were close correlations between NSE values and Glasgow coma scale (r=-0.608, P<0.01) and the extent of brain injury (r=0.75, P<0.01). Patients with poor outcome had significantly higher initial and peak NSE values than those with good outcome (66.40 μg/L±9.46 μg/L, 94.24 μg/L±13.75 μg/L vs 32.16 μg/L±4.21 μg/L, 34.08 μg/L±4.40 μg/L, P<0.01, respectively). Initial NSE values were negatively related to the outcome (r=-0.501, P<0.01). Most patients with poor outcomes had persisting or secondary elevated NSE values. Conclusions: Serum NSE is one of the valuable neurobiochemical markers for assessment of the severity of brain injury and outcome prediction.

Traumatic cardiac injury： Experience from a level-1 trauma centre

Purpose： Traumatic cardiac injury （TCI） is a challenge for trauma surgeons as it provides a short thera- peutic window and the management is often dictated by the underlying mechanism and hemodynamic status, The current study is to evaluate the factors influencing the outcome of TCI. Methods： Prospectively maintained database of TCI cases admitted at a Level-I trauma center from July 2008 to June 2013 was retrospectively analyzed. Hospital records were reviewed and statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS version 15. Results： Out of 21 cases of TCI, 6 （28.6%） had isolated and 15 （71.4%） had associated injuries. Ratio be- tween blunt and penetrating injuries was 2：1 with male preponderance. Mean ISS was 31.95. Thirteen patients （62%） presented with features suggestive of shock. Cardiac tamponade was present in 12 （57%） cases and pericardiocentesis was done in only 6 cases of them. Overall 19 patients underwent surgery, Perioperatively 8 （38,1%） patients developed cardiac arrest and 7 developed cardiac arrhythmia. Overall survival rate was 71.4%. Mortality was related to cardiac arrest （p = 0.014）, arrhythmia （p = 0.014）, and hemorrhagic shock （p = 0.04）. The diagnostic accuracy of focused assessment by sonography in trauma （FAST） was 95.24%. Conclusion： High index of clinical suspicion based on the mechanism of injury, meticulous examination by FAST and early intervention could improve the overall outcome.

Application of minimally invasive surgery in traumatic brain injury

This article aims to expound the essence of minimally invasive surgery as well as when and how to use it in craniocerebral trauma surgery according to the characteristics of the disease. In neurosurgery, the importance of tissue protection should be from the inside to the outside, i.e. brain→dura→skull→scalp. In this article, I want to share my opinion and our team＇s experience in terms of selecting surgical approaches and incision, surgical treatment of the skull, dura handling, intracranial operation and placement of drainage based on the above theory. I hope this will be helpful for trauma surgeons.

Changes of arginine vasopressin in elderly patients with acute traumatic cerebral injury

Objective: To investigate the changes and clinical significance of arginine vasopressin (AVP) in elderly patients with acute traumatic cerebral injury. Methods: With radioimmunoassay, the plasma levels of AVP were measured in 32 elderly patients with acute traumatic cerebral injury, 30 traumatic patients without cerebral injury and 30 healthy elderly volunteers, respectively. Results: The plasma level of AVP in patients with acute traumatic cerebral injury in the early stage ( 48.30 ng/L±8.28 ng/L ) was much higher than that of the traumatic patients without cerebral injury ( 25.56 ng/L±4.64 ng/L , P< 0.01 ), which was much higher than that of the healthy volunteers ( 5.06 ng/L±4.12 ng/L , P< 0.01 ). The level of AVP in the patients with acute traumatic cerebral injury was negatively related with GCS scores. Conclusions: AVP may play an important role in the pathophysiological process in patients with acute traumatic cerebral injury in the early stage. The severer the cerebral injury is, the higher the level of AVP is, which indicates that the level of AVP may be one of the severity indices of traumatic cerebral injury in elderly patients.

Dynamic change of serum protein S100b and its clinical significance in patients with traumatic brain injury

Objective: To analyze the dynamic change of serum protein S100b in patients with traumatic brain injury and its clinical value in assessing brain damage. Methods: According to Glasgow coma scale (GCS), 102 cases of traumatic brain injury were divided into mild brain injury group (GCS≥13, n=31, Group A), moderate brain injury group (8<GCS<13, n=37, Group B) and severe brain injury group (GCS≤8, n=34, Group C). Serial S100b concentrations were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in blood samples taken on admission, 12 h, 24 h, 48 h, 72 h and 7 days after traumatic brain injury. Results: The severe brain injury group showed significantly higher concentration of serum S100b, with earlier increase and longer duration, than the mild and moderate brain injury groups. The patients with higher S100b exhibited lower GCS scores and poor clinical prognosis. The increase in S100b could emerge before clinical image evidence indicated so. Conclusions: Serum S100b can be used as a sensitive index for assessment and prediction of traumatic brain injury severity and prognosis.

Traumatic diaphragmatic rupture with combined thoracoabdominal injuries： Difference between penetrating and blunt injuries

Purpose： Traumatic diaphragmatic rupture （TDR） needs early diagnosis and operation. However, the early diagnosis is usually difficult, especially in the patients without diaphragmatic hernia. The objective of this study was to explore the early diagnosis and treatment of TDR. Methods： Data of 256 patients with TDR treated in our department between 1994 and 2013 were analyzed retrospectively regarding to the diagnostic methods, percentage of preoperative judgment, incidence of diaphragmatic hernia, surgical procedures and outcome, etc. Two groups were set up ac- cording to the mechanism of injury （blunt or penetrating）. Results： Of 256 patients with a mean age of 32.4 years （9-84）, 218 were male. The average ISS was 26.9 （13-66）; and shock rate was 62.9%. There were 104 blunt injuries and 152 penetrating injuries. Preoperatively diagnostic rate was 90.4% in blunt injuries and 80.3% in penetrating, respectively, P 〈 0.05. The incidence of diaphragmatic hernia was 94.2Z in blunt and 15.1% in penetrating respectively, P 〈 0.005. Thoracotomy was performed in 62 cases, laparotomy in 153, thoracotomy plus laparotomy in 29, and combined thoraco-laparotomy in 12. Overall mortality rate was 12.5% with the average ISS of 41.8; and it was 21.2% in blunt injuries and 6.6% in penetrating, respectively, P 〈 0.005. The main causes of death were hemorrhage and sepsis. Conclusions： Diagnosis of blunt TDR can be easily obtained by radiograph or helical CT scan signs of diaphragmatic hernia. For penetrating TDR without hernia, ＂offside sign＂ is helpful as initial assessment. CT scan with coronal/sagittal reconstruction is an accurate technique for diagnosis. All TDR require operation. Penetrating injury has a relatively better prognosis.

Correlation of cell apoptosis with brain edema and elevated intracranial pressure in traumatic brain injury

Objective: To study the correlation between brain edema, elevated intracranial pressure (ICP) and cell apoptosis in traumatic brain injury (TBI). Methods: In this study, totally 42 rabbits in 7 groups were studied. Six of the animals were identified as a control group, and the remaining 36 animals were equally divided into 6 TBI groups. TBI models were produced by the modified method of Feeney. After the impact, ICP of each subject was recorded continuously by an ICP monitor until the animal was sacrificed at scheduled time. The apoptotic brain cells were detected by an terminal deoxynucleotide-transferase-mediated dUTP-digoxigenin nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay. Cerebral water content (CWC) was measured with a drying method and calculated according to the Elliott formula. Then, an analysis was conducted to determine the correlation between the count of apoptotic cells and the clinical pathological changes of the brain. Results: Apoptotic cell count began to increase 2 h after the impact, and reached its maximum about 3 days after the impact. The peak value of CWC and ICP appeared 1 day and 3 days after the impact, respectively. Apoptotic cell count had a positive correlation with CWC and ICP. Conclusions: In TBI, occurrence of brain edema and ICP increase might lead to apoptosis of brain cells. Any therapy which can relieve brain edema and/or decrease ICP would be able to reduce neuron apoptosis, thereby to attenuate the secondary brain damage.