Background Clinicians treating patients with head injury often take decisions based on their assessment of prognosis. Assessment of prognosis could help communication with a patient and the family. One of the most widely used clinical tools for such prediction is the Glasgow coma scale (GCS); however, the tool has a limitation with regard to its use in patients who are under sedation, are intubated, or under the influence of alcohol or psychoactive drugs. CT scan findings such as status of basal cistern, midline shift, associated traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), and intraventricular hemorrhage are useful indicators in predicting outcome and also considered as valid options for prognostication of the patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI), especially in emergency setting. Materials and Methods 108 patients of head injury were assessed at admission with clinical examination, history, and CT scan of brain. CT findings were classified according to type of lesion and midline shift correlated to GCS score at admission. All the subjects in this study were managed with an identical treatment protocol. Outcome of these patients were assessed on GCS score at discharge. Result Among patients with severe GCS, 51% had midline shift. The degree of midline shift in CT head was a statistically significant determinant of outcome (p = 0.023). Seventeen out of 48 patients (35.4%) with midline shift had poor outcome as compared with 8 out of 60 patients (13.3%) with no midline shift. Conclusion In patients with TBI, the degree of midline shift on CT scan was significantly related to the severity of head injury and resulted in poor clinical outcome.

INTRODUCTION - Traumatic brain injury [TBI] most affects the working population and their earning capacity. The various sub categories of TBI in terms of clinical features,Glasgow coma scale [GCS] and radiology are well defined.We have attempted an analysis in terms of long term Glasgow outcome score [GOS] and tried to correlate with the various factors of TBI. MATERIALS AND METHODS – All patients of TBI over 12 years and below 60 years and those without other major trauma were included over a period of about two years. The clinical features, presentation GCS, treatment given, and outcomes were assessed.The three month GOS was scored for all patients and was used to analyse the the initial data in its light. RESULTS – A total of 200 patients were eligible for the study and were included. Of these 159 were males and 41 were females.The average age was 37.16 years.There was a relatively higher proportion of mild TBI and greater prevalence of fractures and EDH [extradural hematoma].On analyzing with three month GOS we found that 90.4 % of the patients with mild TBI had a three month GOS of 5 whereas only 31.9% of patients with moderate or severe TBI had a three month GOS of 5. CONCLUSION – The long term GOS is most representative of the extent to which the patient has been able to return to their pre TBI lives. In our study the three month GOS co related well with the initial GCS. Further prospective data can elaborate more on the effect of other clinical features and radiology on long term GOS