OBJECTIVE Following traumatic brain injury (TBI), midline shift of the brain at the level of the septum pellucidum is often caused by unilateral space-occupying lesions and is associated with increased intracranial pressure and worsened morbidity and mortality. While outcome has been studied in this population, the recovery trajectory has not been reported in a large cohort of patients with TBI. The authors sought to utilize the Citicoline Brain Injury Treatment (COBRIT) trial to analyze patient recovery over time depending on degree of midline shift at presentation. METHODS Patient data from the COBRIT trial were stratified into 4 groups of midline shift, and outcome measures were analyzed at 30, 90, and 180 days postinjury. A recovery trajectory analysis was performed identifying patients with outcome measures at all 3 time points to analyze the degree of recovery based on midline shift at presentation. RESULTS There were 892, 1169, and 895 patients with adequate outcome data at 30, 90, and 180 days, respectively. Rates of favorable outcome (Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended [GOS-E] scores 4-8) at 6 months postinjury were 87% for patients with no midline shift, 79% for patients with 1-5 mm of shift, 64% for patients with 6-10 mm of shift, and 47% for patients with > 10 mm of shift. The mean improvement from unfavorable outcome (GOS-E scores 2 and 3) to favorable outcome (GOS-E scores 4-8) from 1 month to 6 months in all groups was 20% (range 4%-29%). The mean GOS-E score for patients in the 6- to 10-mm group crossed from unfavorable outcome (GOS-E scores 2 and 3) into favorable outcome (GOS-E scores 4-8) at 90 days, and the mean GOS-E of patients in the > 10-mm group nearly reached the threshold of favorable outcome by 180 days postinjury. CONCLUSIONS In this secondary analysis of the Phase 3 COBRIT trial, TBI patients with less than 10 mm of midline shift on admission head CT had significantly improved functional outcomes through 180 days after injury compared with those with greater than 10 mm of midline shift. Of note, nearly 50% of patients with > 10 mm of midline shift achieved a favorable outcome (GOS-E score 4-8) by 6 months postinjury.
BACKGROUND:The recovery of severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) survivors with long-term favorable outlook is understudied. Time to follow commands varies widely in this patient population but has important clinical implications.OBJECTIVE:To (1) evaluate time to follow commands in severe patients with TBI with favorable outcomes, (2) characterize their trajectory of recovery, and (3) identify predictors associated with delayed cognitive improvement.METHODS:Participants were recruited prospectively at a Level I trauma center through the Brain Trauma Research Center from 2003 to 2018. Inclusion criteria were age 16 to 80 years, Glasgow Coma Scale score ≤8 and motor score <6, and Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended measure ≥4 at 2 years postinjury.RESULTS:In 580 patients, there were 229 (39.5%) deaths and 140 (24.1%) patients had favorable outcomes at 2 years. The mean age was 33.7 ± 14.5 years, median Glasgow Coma Scale was 7 (IQR 6-7), and median Injury Severity Score was 30 (IQR 26-38). The mean time to follow commands was 12.7 ± 11.8 days. On multivariable linear regression, the presence of diffuse axonal injury (B = 9.2 days [4.8, 13.7], P < .0001) or intraventricular hemorrhage (B = 6.4 days [0.5, 12.3], P < .035) was associated with longer time before following commands and patients who developed nosocomial infections (B = 6.5 days [1.6-11.4], P < .01).CONCLUSION:In severe TBI survivors with favorable outcomes, time to follow commands varied widely. Most patients began to follow commands within 2 weeks. Evidence of diffuse axonal injury, intraventricular hemorrhage, and infections can delay cognitive improvement in the acute period. Patients make considerable recovery up to 2 years after their injury.
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