西方的科学研究成果大多来源于英语的语言文化环境,把西方的科学研究成果介绍到中国,必须重视英语的语言文化环境和汉语的语言文化环境的不同,这样才能使国人准确、方便地应用西方的科学研究成果,西学东渐。格拉斯哥昏迷评分(Glasgow co...西方的科学研究成果大多来源于英语的语言文化环境,把西方的科学研究成果介绍到中国,必须重视英语的语言文化环境和汉语的语言文化环境的不同,这样才能使国人准确、方便地应用西方的科学研究成果,西学东渐。格拉斯哥昏迷评分(Glasgow coma scale)被翻译、介绍到国内已有数十年,但汉语版的"Glasgow coma scale"多种多样,容易造成初学者和使用者的迷惑。本文复习有关"Glasgow coma scale"的原始英式英文文献、美式英语英文文献和以往的几个主要的汉语翻译版。结合英式英语、美式英语和汉语的语言文化特点,新译了"Glasgow coma scale",以方便医护人员使用。展开更多
In this study, rats were put into traumatic brain injury-induced coma and treated with median nerve electrical stimulation. We explored the wake-promoting effect, and possible mechanisms, of median nerve electrical st...In this study, rats were put into traumatic brain injury-induced coma and treated with median nerve electrical stimulation. We explored the wake-promoting effect, and possible mechanisms, of median nerve electrical stimulation. Electrical stimulation upregulated the expression levels of orexin-A and its receptor OX1R in the rat prefrontal cortex. Orexin-A expression gradually in-creased with increasing stimulation, while OX1R expression reached a peak at 12 hours and then decreased. In addition, after the OX1R antagonist, SB334867, was injected into the brain of rats after traumatic brain injury, fewer rats were restored to consciousness, and orexin-A and OXIR expression in the prefrontal cortex was downregulated. Our ifndings indicate that median nerve electrical stimulation induced an up-regulation of orexin-A and OX1R expression in the pre-frontal cortex of traumatic brain injury-induced coma rats, which may be a potential mechanism involved in the wake-promoting effects of median nerve electrical stimulation.展开更多
BACKGROUND:The timing and selection of patients for liver transplantation in acute liver failure are great challenges.This study aimed to investigate the effect of Glasgow coma scale(GCS)and APACHE-II scores on liver ...BACKGROUND:The timing and selection of patients for liver transplantation in acute liver failure are great challenges.This study aimed to investigate the effect of Glasgow coma scale(GCS)and APACHE-II scores on liver transplantation outcomes in patients with acute liver failure.METHOD:A total of 25 patients with acute liver failure were retrospectively analyzed according to age,etiology,time to transplantation,coma scores,complications and mortality.RESULTS:Eighteen patients received transplants from live donors and 7 had cadaveric whole liver transplants.The mean duration of follow-up after liver transplantation was 39.86±40.23 months.Seven patients died within the perioperative period and the 1-,3-,5-year survival rates of the patients were72%,72%and 60%,respectively.The parameters evaluated for the perioperative deaths versus alive were as follows:the mean age of the patients was 33.71 vs 28 years,MELD score was 40 vs32.66,GCS was 5.57 vs 10.16,APACHE-II score was 23 vs 18.11,serum sodium level was 138.57 vs 138.44 mmol/L,mean waiting time before the operation was 12 vs 5.16 days.Low GCS,high APACHE-II score and longer waiting time before the operation(P【0.01)were found as statistically significant factors for perioperative mortality.CONCLUSION:Lower GCS and higher APACHE-II scores are related to poor outcomes in patients with acute liver failure after liver transplantation.展开更多
BACKGROUND: It has proved that dynamic electroencephalogram (EEG) is definite in judging the outcome of ischemic hypoxic comatose patients, EEG is more sensitive to the cortical affection, but not sensitive to the ...BACKGROUND: It has proved that dynamic electroencephalogram (EEG) is definite in judging the outcome of ischemic hypoxic comatose patients, EEG is more sensitive to the cortical affection, but not sensitive to the subcortical and brainstem affections, thus it is necessary to clarify the indications of this technique in the clinical application.OBJECTIVE: To observe and compare the prognostic value of dynamic EEG and Glasgow coma score in comatose patients with different diseased region.DESIGN: A clinical case-controlled observation.SETTING: Union Hospital of Fujian Medical University.PARTICIPANTS: Sixty-eight comatose patients were selected from the Union Hospital affiliated to Fujian Medical University from June 1998 to January 2005. The diseased regions were identified using cranial CT (n =43) or MR (n =25). According to different primarily diseased regions, the comatose patients were divided into two groups: ① brainstem affection group (n =23): 13 males and 10 females, 14 - 62 years of age; ②diffuse cortical affection group (n =45): 28 males and 17 females, 23 - 75 years of age.METHODS: The dynamic EEG and Glasgow coma score were examined in the 45 comatose patients with primarily cortical affection and 22 comatose patients with primarily brainstem affection at acute phase. The patients were followed-up for 3 months to observe the outcome, The termination of outcome judgment was 3 months after attack or the death. The clinical outcome was classified as complete rehabilitation, survived with disability, death or vegetative state. Correlations of dynamic EEG and Glasgow coma score with the outcome of patients were analyzed. The correlations of dynamic EEG grades and Glasgow coma scores with the outcome were analyzed, and the prognostic value of dynamic EEG grades was compared between the two groups.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ① Correlations of dynamic EEG and Glasgow coma score with the outcome of patients; ② Comparison of the prognostic value of dynamic EEG grades between the two groups.RESULTS: All the 68 patients were involved in the analysis of results. ① Correlations of dynamic EEG grades and Glasgow scores and their correlation analysis: EEG grades had significant negative correlation with Glasgow coma scores in both the cortical affection group and brainstem affection group (r = - 0.743,- 0.564, P 〈 0.01, 0.05). In the cortical affection group, the Glasgow coma scores and dynamic EEG grades in the patients with the outcome of death or vegetative state were significantly different from those with the outcome of rehabilitation (P 〈 0.05 - 0.01). In the brainstem affection group, the Glasgow coma scores were only significantly different between the patients with outcome of rehabilitation and death (P 〈 0.05), and there was no significant difference in dynamic EEG grades among the three prognostic states (P 〉 0.05). ②Comparison of the prognostic value of dynamic EEG grades between comatose patients with cortical affection and brainstem affection: The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy were all higher (P 〈 0.05), while the error rate was lower (P〈0.05) in the cortical affection group than in the brainstem affection group.CONCLUSION: Dynamic EEG was valuable in predicting the outcome of comatose patients with primarily cortical affection, but it was not certainly valuable in those with primarily brainstem affection.展开更多
BACKGROUND: The bispectral(BIS) index is a processed electroencephalogram(EEG) parameter with extensive validation and demonstrated clinical utility. The study aimed to investigate the correlation between the BIS inde...BACKGROUND: The bispectral(BIS) index is a processed electroencephalogram(EEG) parameter with extensive validation and demonstrated clinical utility. The study aimed to investigate the correlation between the BIS index and the prognosis of patients with coma in the ICU.METHODS: A total of 208 patients with coma in the ICU were enrolled in this study. According to the BIS value, the patients were divided into four groups: group I, BIS value 0 to 20; group II, BIS value 21 to 40; group III, BIS value 41 to 60; and group IV, BIS value greater than 60. The difference in BIS values with the differences in prognosis of patients with coma was compared between the four groups, and the prognosis of patients with coma was stratified into consciousness, coma, vegetative state, and brain death. Subsequently, the best cut-off score of BIS values calculated for determining the correlation between BIS value and mental state was proposed.RESULTS: There are no significant differences in the age and APACHE II scores between the four groups(P>0.05). An inverse correlation was observed between BIS value and mental state(r= –0.749, P=0.00). According to the ROC curve, as BIS value was greater than 42.5, there were higher sensitivity and specificity in conscious-coma patients.CONCLUSION: BIS value is correlated with the prognosis of patients with coma in ICU, and BIS value can be a useful marker for estimating the prognosis of comatose patients.展开更多
A total of 43 prolonged coma patients with diffuse axonal injury received the somatosensory evoked potential examination one month after injury in the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University...A total of 43 prolonged coma patients with diffuse axonal injury received the somatosensory evoked potential examination one month after injury in the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University in China. Somatosensory evoked potentials were graded as normal, abnormal or absent (grades I-III) according to N20 amplitude and central conduction time. The outcome in patients with grade III somatosensory evoked potential was in each case unfavorable. The prognostic accuracy of grade III somatosensory evoked potential for unfavorable and non-awakening outcome was 100% and 80%, respectively. The prognostic accuracy of grade I somatosensory evoked potential for favorable and wakening outcome was 86% and 100%, respectively. These results suggest that somatosensory evoked potential grade is closely correlated with coma severity and degree of recovery. Somatosensory evoked potential is a valuable diagnostic tool to assess prognosis in prolonged coma patients with diffuse axonal injury.展开更多
AIM:To evaluate the serum levels of endozepine-4,their relation with ammonia serum levels,the grading of coma and the severity of cirrhosis,in patients with hepatic coma. METHODS:In this study we included 20 subjects ...AIM:To evaluate the serum levels of endozepine-4,their relation with ammonia serum levels,the grading of coma and the severity of cirrhosis,in patients with hepatic coma. METHODS:In this study we included 20 subjects with Hepatic coma,20 subjects with minimal hepatic encephalopathy(MHE) and 20 subjects control. All subjects underwent blood analysis,Child Pugh and Model for End- stage liver disease(MELD) assessment,endozepine-4 analysis. RESULTS:Subjects with hepatic coma showed significant difference in endozepine-4(P < 0.001) and NH3 levels(P < 0.001) compared both to MHE and controls patients. Between NH3 and endozepine-4 we observed a significant correlation(P = 0.009; Pearson correlation 0.570). There was a significant correlation between endozepine-4 and MELD(P = 0.017; Pearsoncorrelation = 0.529). In our study blood ammonia concentration was noted to be raised in patients with hepatic coma,with the highest ammonia levels being found in those who were comatose. We also found a high correlation between endozepine-4 and ammonia(P < 0.001). In patients with grade Ⅳ hepatic coma,endozepine levels were significantly higher compared to other groups. CONCLUSION:This study suggests that an increased level of endozepine in subjects with higher levels of MELD was observed. In conclusion,data concerning involvement of the GABA-ergic system in HE coma could be explained by stage-specific alterations.展开更多
BACKGROUND:To assess the association between relevant brain computed tomography(CT)parameters at different time and neurological prognosis in adult comatose survivors after cardiac arrest(CA).METHODS:A total of 94 CA ...BACKGROUND:To assess the association between relevant brain computed tomography(CT)parameters at different time and neurological prognosis in adult comatose survivors after cardiac arrest(CA).METHODS:A total of 94 CA patients who underwent early and late CT scans(within 24 h and 24 h to 7 d respectively after CA)between January 2018 and April 2020 were enrolled in this retrospective study.According to the Cerebral Performance Category(CPC)score at hospital discharge,the patients were divided into either a good outcome(CPC 1-2)group or a poor-outcome group(CPC 3-5).The grey-to-white matter ratio(GWR)and the proportion of cerebrospinal fluid volume(pCSFV)were measured.In predicting poor outcomes,the prognostic performance of relevant CT parameters was evaluated,and the comparison analysis(expressed as the ratio of parameters in late CT to those in the early CT)of diff erent CT time was conducted.RESULTS:Totally 26 patients were in the good-outcome group,while 68 patients were in the poor-outcome group.The putamen density,GWR,and pCSFV in late CT were significantly lower in the poor-outcome group(P<0.05).The ratios of GWR and pCSFV in the poor-outcome group were signifi cantly decreased according to comparison analysis of diff erent CT time(P<0.05),while there was no signifi cant diff erence in the ratio of putamen density.GWR-basal ganglia<1.18 in late CT showed the best predictive value.The ratio of pCSFV<0.98 predicted unfavorable neurological outcomes with a sensitivity of 65.9%and a specifi city of 93.8%(P=0.001).CONCLUSIONS:Brain CT performed>24 h after CA may be a good choice as a neuroimaging approach to evaluating prognosis.To predict neurological prognosis,comparison analysis of diff erent CT time can be used as another promising tool in comatose CA survivors.展开更多
This study was a retrospective analysis of outcome of surgically treated acute traumatic epidural hematomas based on the Glasgow coma scale. The series enrolled forty-six consecutive cases of acute traumatic epidural ...This study was a retrospective analysis of outcome of surgically treated acute traumatic epidural hematomas based on the Glasgow coma scale. The series enrolled forty-six consecutive cases of acute traumatic epidural hematomas. The mean age of patients was 29.56 years and 63.04% of the patients were between 21 and 30 years of age. Forty-tree out of 46 (93.47%) of the patients were males. Road traffic crash was the main mode of injury. The severity of the traumatic brain injury was classified according to the Glasgow coma scale score at admission. The injury was mild or moderate in 35 (76.08%) cases and severe in 11. Eight patients (17.39%) presented with pupillary abnormalities. The computed tomography scanning of the head has objectivized the epidural hematoma in all patients and has shown a mass effect with midline shift in all but one case (45/46). The most frequent surgical procedure done was craniotomy. Six (13.04%) patients died (GOS 1), but 38 (82.60%) recovered fully (GOS 5) and two (04.34%) were disabled but independent (GOS 4). The Glasgow coma score at admission was very predictive for good or poor outcome, since all patients but one who died and all survivors who were disabled were comatose at admission (GCS ≤ 8).展开更多
文摘西方的科学研究成果大多来源于英语的语言文化环境,把西方的科学研究成果介绍到中国,必须重视英语的语言文化环境和汉语的语言文化环境的不同,这样才能使国人准确、方便地应用西方的科学研究成果,西学东渐。格拉斯哥昏迷评分(Glasgow coma scale)被翻译、介绍到国内已有数十年,但汉语版的"Glasgow coma scale"多种多样,容易造成初学者和使用者的迷惑。本文复习有关"Glasgow coma scale"的原始英式英文文献、美式英语英文文献和以往的几个主要的汉语翻译版。结合英式英语、美式英语和汉语的语言文化特点,新译了"Glasgow coma scale",以方便医护人员使用。
基金funded by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.81260295the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangxi Province of China,No.20132BAB205063
文摘In this study, rats were put into traumatic brain injury-induced coma and treated with median nerve electrical stimulation. We explored the wake-promoting effect, and possible mechanisms, of median nerve electrical stimulation. Electrical stimulation upregulated the expression levels of orexin-A and its receptor OX1R in the rat prefrontal cortex. Orexin-A expression gradually in-creased with increasing stimulation, while OX1R expression reached a peak at 12 hours and then decreased. In addition, after the OX1R antagonist, SB334867, was injected into the brain of rats after traumatic brain injury, fewer rats were restored to consciousness, and orexin-A and OXIR expression in the prefrontal cortex was downregulated. Our ifndings indicate that median nerve electrical stimulation induced an up-regulation of orexin-A and OX1R expression in the pre-frontal cortex of traumatic brain injury-induced coma rats, which may be a potential mechanism involved in the wake-promoting effects of median nerve electrical stimulation.
文摘BACKGROUND:The timing and selection of patients for liver transplantation in acute liver failure are great challenges.This study aimed to investigate the effect of Glasgow coma scale(GCS)and APACHE-II scores on liver transplantation outcomes in patients with acute liver failure.METHOD:A total of 25 patients with acute liver failure were retrospectively analyzed according to age,etiology,time to transplantation,coma scores,complications and mortality.RESULTS:Eighteen patients received transplants from live donors and 7 had cadaveric whole liver transplants.The mean duration of follow-up after liver transplantation was 39.86±40.23 months.Seven patients died within the perioperative period and the 1-,3-,5-year survival rates of the patients were72%,72%and 60%,respectively.The parameters evaluated for the perioperative deaths versus alive were as follows:the mean age of the patients was 33.71 vs 28 years,MELD score was 40 vs32.66,GCS was 5.57 vs 10.16,APACHE-II score was 23 vs 18.11,serum sodium level was 138.57 vs 138.44 mmol/L,mean waiting time before the operation was 12 vs 5.16 days.Low GCS,high APACHE-II score and longer waiting time before the operation(P【0.01)were found as statistically significant factors for perioperative mortality.CONCLUSION:Lower GCS and higher APACHE-II scores are related to poor outcomes in patients with acute liver failure after liver transplantation.
基金the NaturalScience Foundation of Fujian Province, No. C0310021
文摘BACKGROUND: It has proved that dynamic electroencephalogram (EEG) is definite in judging the outcome of ischemic hypoxic comatose patients, EEG is more sensitive to the cortical affection, but not sensitive to the subcortical and brainstem affections, thus it is necessary to clarify the indications of this technique in the clinical application.OBJECTIVE: To observe and compare the prognostic value of dynamic EEG and Glasgow coma score in comatose patients with different diseased region.DESIGN: A clinical case-controlled observation.SETTING: Union Hospital of Fujian Medical University.PARTICIPANTS: Sixty-eight comatose patients were selected from the Union Hospital affiliated to Fujian Medical University from June 1998 to January 2005. The diseased regions were identified using cranial CT (n =43) or MR (n =25). According to different primarily diseased regions, the comatose patients were divided into two groups: ① brainstem affection group (n =23): 13 males and 10 females, 14 - 62 years of age; ②diffuse cortical affection group (n =45): 28 males and 17 females, 23 - 75 years of age.METHODS: The dynamic EEG and Glasgow coma score were examined in the 45 comatose patients with primarily cortical affection and 22 comatose patients with primarily brainstem affection at acute phase. The patients were followed-up for 3 months to observe the outcome, The termination of outcome judgment was 3 months after attack or the death. The clinical outcome was classified as complete rehabilitation, survived with disability, death or vegetative state. Correlations of dynamic EEG and Glasgow coma score with the outcome of patients were analyzed. The correlations of dynamic EEG grades and Glasgow coma scores with the outcome were analyzed, and the prognostic value of dynamic EEG grades was compared between the two groups.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ① Correlations of dynamic EEG and Glasgow coma score with the outcome of patients; ② Comparison of the prognostic value of dynamic EEG grades between the two groups.RESULTS: All the 68 patients were involved in the analysis of results. ① Correlations of dynamic EEG grades and Glasgow scores and their correlation analysis: EEG grades had significant negative correlation with Glasgow coma scores in both the cortical affection group and brainstem affection group (r = - 0.743,- 0.564, P 〈 0.01, 0.05). In the cortical affection group, the Glasgow coma scores and dynamic EEG grades in the patients with the outcome of death or vegetative state were significantly different from those with the outcome of rehabilitation (P 〈 0.05 - 0.01). In the brainstem affection group, the Glasgow coma scores were only significantly different between the patients with outcome of rehabilitation and death (P 〈 0.05), and there was no significant difference in dynamic EEG grades among the three prognostic states (P 〉 0.05). ②Comparison of the prognostic value of dynamic EEG grades between comatose patients with cortical affection and brainstem affection: The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy were all higher (P 〈 0.05), while the error rate was lower (P〈0.05) in the cortical affection group than in the brainstem affection group.CONCLUSION: Dynamic EEG was valuable in predicting the outcome of comatose patients with primarily cortical affection, but it was not certainly valuable in those with primarily brainstem affection.
文摘BACKGROUND: The bispectral(BIS) index is a processed electroencephalogram(EEG) parameter with extensive validation and demonstrated clinical utility. The study aimed to investigate the correlation between the BIS index and the prognosis of patients with coma in the ICU.METHODS: A total of 208 patients with coma in the ICU were enrolled in this study. According to the BIS value, the patients were divided into four groups: group I, BIS value 0 to 20; group II, BIS value 21 to 40; group III, BIS value 41 to 60; and group IV, BIS value greater than 60. The difference in BIS values with the differences in prognosis of patients with coma was compared between the four groups, and the prognosis of patients with coma was stratified into consciousness, coma, vegetative state, and brain death. Subsequently, the best cut-off score of BIS values calculated for determining the correlation between BIS value and mental state was proposed.RESULTS: There are no significant differences in the age and APACHE II scores between the four groups(P>0.05). An inverse correlation was observed between BIS value and mental state(r= –0.749, P=0.00). According to the ROC curve, as BIS value was greater than 42.5, there were higher sensitivity and specificity in conscious-coma patients.CONCLUSION: BIS value is correlated with the prognosis of patients with coma in ICU, and BIS value can be a useful marker for estimating the prognosis of comatose patients.
基金funded by Zhejiang Medicines &Health Sciences Research Fund (Class A) in 2009, No.2009A086
文摘A total of 43 prolonged coma patients with diffuse axonal injury received the somatosensory evoked potential examination one month after injury in the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University in China. Somatosensory evoked potentials were graded as normal, abnormal or absent (grades I-III) according to N20 amplitude and central conduction time. The outcome in patients with grade III somatosensory evoked potential was in each case unfavorable. The prognostic accuracy of grade III somatosensory evoked potential for unfavorable and non-awakening outcome was 100% and 80%, respectively. The prognostic accuracy of grade I somatosensory evoked potential for favorable and wakening outcome was 86% and 100%, respectively. These results suggest that somatosensory evoked potential grade is closely correlated with coma severity and degree of recovery. Somatosensory evoked potential is a valuable diagnostic tool to assess prognosis in prolonged coma patients with diffuse axonal injury.
文摘AIM:To evaluate the serum levels of endozepine-4,their relation with ammonia serum levels,the grading of coma and the severity of cirrhosis,in patients with hepatic coma. METHODS:In this study we included 20 subjects with Hepatic coma,20 subjects with minimal hepatic encephalopathy(MHE) and 20 subjects control. All subjects underwent blood analysis,Child Pugh and Model for End- stage liver disease(MELD) assessment,endozepine-4 analysis. RESULTS:Subjects with hepatic coma showed significant difference in endozepine-4(P < 0.001) and NH3 levels(P < 0.001) compared both to MHE and controls patients. Between NH3 and endozepine-4 we observed a significant correlation(P = 0.009; Pearson correlation 0.570). There was a significant correlation between endozepine-4 and MELD(P = 0.017; Pearsoncorrelation = 0.529). In our study blood ammonia concentration was noted to be raised in patients with hepatic coma,with the highest ammonia levels being found in those who were comatose. We also found a high correlation between endozepine-4 and ammonia(P < 0.001). In patients with grade Ⅳ hepatic coma,endozepine levels were significantly higher compared to other groups. CONCLUSION:This study suggests that an increased level of endozepine in subjects with higher levels of MELD was observed. In conclusion,data concerning involvement of the GABA-ergic system in HE coma could be explained by stage-specific alterations.
基金This study was supported by Ruiyi Special Fund for Emergency Medicine Research(R2019019)Postgraduate Research&Practice Innovation Program of Jiangsu Province(SJCX20_0481).Ethical approval:。
文摘BACKGROUND:To assess the association between relevant brain computed tomography(CT)parameters at different time and neurological prognosis in adult comatose survivors after cardiac arrest(CA).METHODS:A total of 94 CA patients who underwent early and late CT scans(within 24 h and 24 h to 7 d respectively after CA)between January 2018 and April 2020 were enrolled in this retrospective study.According to the Cerebral Performance Category(CPC)score at hospital discharge,the patients were divided into either a good outcome(CPC 1-2)group or a poor-outcome group(CPC 3-5).The grey-to-white matter ratio(GWR)and the proportion of cerebrospinal fluid volume(pCSFV)were measured.In predicting poor outcomes,the prognostic performance of relevant CT parameters was evaluated,and the comparison analysis(expressed as the ratio of parameters in late CT to those in the early CT)of diff erent CT time was conducted.RESULTS:Totally 26 patients were in the good-outcome group,while 68 patients were in the poor-outcome group.The putamen density,GWR,and pCSFV in late CT were significantly lower in the poor-outcome group(P<0.05).The ratios of GWR and pCSFV in the poor-outcome group were signifi cantly decreased according to comparison analysis of diff erent CT time(P<0.05),while there was no signifi cant diff erence in the ratio of putamen density.GWR-basal ganglia<1.18 in late CT showed the best predictive value.The ratio of pCSFV<0.98 predicted unfavorable neurological outcomes with a sensitivity of 65.9%and a specifi city of 93.8%(P=0.001).CONCLUSIONS:Brain CT performed>24 h after CA may be a good choice as a neuroimaging approach to evaluating prognosis.To predict neurological prognosis,comparison analysis of diff erent CT time can be used as another promising tool in comatose CA survivors.
文摘This study was a retrospective analysis of outcome of surgically treated acute traumatic epidural hematomas based on the Glasgow coma scale. The series enrolled forty-six consecutive cases of acute traumatic epidural hematomas. The mean age of patients was 29.56 years and 63.04% of the patients were between 21 and 30 years of age. Forty-tree out of 46 (93.47%) of the patients were males. Road traffic crash was the main mode of injury. The severity of the traumatic brain injury was classified according to the Glasgow coma scale score at admission. The injury was mild or moderate in 35 (76.08%) cases and severe in 11. Eight patients (17.39%) presented with pupillary abnormalities. The computed tomography scanning of the head has objectivized the epidural hematoma in all patients and has shown a mass effect with midline shift in all but one case (45/46). The most frequent surgical procedure done was craniotomy. Six (13.04%) patients died (GOS 1), but 38 (82.60%) recovered fully (GOS 5) and two (04.34%) were disabled but independent (GOS 4). The Glasgow coma score at admission was very predictive for good or poor outcome, since all patients but one who died and all survivors who were disabled were comatose at admission (GCS ≤ 8).