Clinico Radiological Study of Diffuse Axonal Injury and Outcome Analysis After Management

Abstract

Background: The examination of patients' of diffuse axonal injury (DAI) on the basis of clinical profile and radiological results in relation to their prognosis.

Methods: 33 patients of closed head injury and discrepancy between apparently normal computed tomographic scan findings and their neurologic statuses were studied with MRI. Among them, 22 were found to suffer from DAI-type lesions. According to the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), 18 patients suffered from severe head injury (CCS score <8) and 4 patients had moderate head injury (GCS score of 9-12).

Results: Road traffic accident is main cause of head injury. All patients with GCS 9 have good recovery. Patients who presented with CCS 4,5 had worse outcome in comparison to those with admission GCS 6 to 8.All patients with Grade 1 DAI had good recovery. Outcome was worse in the group with Grade 3 DAI when compared with Grade 1 and 2.

Conclusions: MRI is more sensitive compared with computed tomography in the detection of traumatic brain lesions. Evaluation of the Glasgow Coma Score and MRI findings on admission led to an improved ability to forecast outcomes.