The Prognostic Value of the Modified Glasgow Coma Scale in Head Trauma in Dogs

Abstract

A clinical coma scale modified from the Glasgow Coma Scale used for humans has been suggested as a useful predictor of outcome in the head trauma patient. The objective of this study was to correlate the modified Glasgow Coma Scale (MGCS) score of dogs with head trauma with their probability of survival. Thirty-eight dogs with head trauma were selected and retrospectively evaluated. The information retrieved from the medical record of each dog included signalment, body weight, cause of head trauma, MGCS, presence of concurrent neck pain, and outcome (dead or alive) after 48 hours. Logistic regression was used to model survival in the 1st 48 hours as a function of MGCS, gender, weight, and calvarial fractures. The MGCS ranged from 5 to 18. Seven dogs died within 48 hours of the head trauma. The MGCS could predict the probability of survival in the 1st 48 hrs after head trauma with 50% probability in a patient with a score of 8. Gender, weight, and presence of skull fractures did not predict survival. In conclusion, the MGCS is a useful index for prediction of outcome in dogs with head trauma.

Comparison of the effects of 7.2% hypertonic saline and 20% mannitol on whole blood coagulation and platelet function in dogs with suspected intracranial hypertension - a pilot study

“…A tentative diagnosis of ICH was based on history, neurologic examination (performed by a board-certified neurologist) and/or magnetic resonance or computed tomographic imaging studies (evaluated by a board-certified radiologist or neurologist). Criteria to substantiate suspicion of ICH were a forebrain or multifocal localization with severely reduced consciousness and miotic pupils on neurological exam, Cushing triad (irregular respiration, bradycardia, and systolic hypertension), brain herniation or other shifts of brain parenchyma on MRI or CT [20], an elevated resistive index [21], and deterioration of modified Glasgow coma scale scores [22]. The decision to administer osmotherapy was at the clinicians’ discretion.…”

Spontaneous nervous system concussion in dogs: A description of two cases and a review of terminology in veterinary medicine

“…Temporary unconsciousness, abolition of various reflex functions, amnesia and cerebellar dysfunction are described in human patients with head concussion, while a wide range of spinal cord dysfunction, ranging from paresthesia to quadriplegia, is reported for spinal concussion (Fumeya and Hideshima, 1994;Winder et al, 2011;Snedden, 2013). To date, although major textbooks of veterinary neurology (Platt et al, 2001;Lorenz et al, 2011;Platt and Garosi, 2012) admit the existence of canine brain concussion, no cases of such a pathological condition have been documented in dogs. Furthermore, canine cerebellar concussion, other than spinal concussion, has never been reported before.…”

Penetrating cranial injury due to gunshot in a dog: a case report

“…Modified MGCS which is adapted from a human GCS is used to suggest prognosis of a canine TBI patient (Platt et al, 2001). A patient with an MGCS of 3 to 8 (score category I) indicates a grave prognosis, 9 to 14 (score category II) guarded prognosis, and 15 to 18 (score category III) a good prognosis.…”