ORIGINAL ARTICLES   

Journal of Neurosurgical Sciences 2011 September;55(3):173-7

Copyright © 2011 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Biochemical markers analyzed using microdialysis and traumatic brain injury outcomes

Karathanou A. ¹, Paterakis K. ², Pakopoulou M. ², Tasiou A. ², Hadjigeorgiou G. ³, Chovas A. ⁴, Paraforos G. ⁴, Fountas K. ², Komnos A. ⁴ ✉

¹ Intensive Care Unit, Achillopoulio General Hospital, Volos, Greece; ² Neurosurgery Department, University Hospital, Larissa, Greece; ³ Neurology Department, University Hospital, Larissa, Greece; ⁴ Intensive Care Unit, General Hospital, Larissa, Greece

AIM: Traumatic brain injury is a leading cause of disability and mortality among young people. Multiparametric cerebral bedside monitoring is a safe and promising technique for preventing secondary brain damage. The objective of this study was to investigate the usefulness of cerebral microdialysis in predicting the outcomes of patients with traumatic brain injury.
METHODS:Thirty-eight patients (33 males) were included in the study. The GCS on admission was ≤8. The outcome was assessed using the GOS over six months of follow-up.
RESULTS:Among the patients included, 18 had a favorable outcome (GOS=4.5) and the remaining 20 had an unfavorable outcome. L/P ratio and glycerol concentration were statistically significantly higher in the patients with unfavorable prognosis.
CONCLUSION: Biochemical parameters analysed using microdialysis could serve as predictor indexes of clinical outcome several months after the injury.