Outcome prediction in traumatic brain injury: comparison of neurological status, CT findings, and blood levels of S100B and GFAP.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the predictive value of early serum levels of S100B and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in traumatic brain injury.


METHODS
Sixty patients admitted within 24 h of trauma were included. Neurological status on admission (Glasgow Coma Scale), initial cranial computed tomography (CCT) studies (Marshall Computed Tomographic Classification), and outcome after 6 months (Glasgow Outcome Scale) were evaluated. S100B and GFAP levels were determined on admission and 24 h after trauma.


RESULTS
Blood levels of S100B and GFAP were elevated following head trauma and quantitatively reflected the severity of trauma. S100B levels after 24 h and on admission were of higher predictive value than CCT findings or clinical examination. GFAP, but not S100B levels rapidly declined after trauma.


CONCLUSIONS
Blood levels of S100B and GFAP indicate the severity of brain damage and are correlated with neurological prognosis after trauma. Both methods can yield additional prognostic information if combined with clinical and CCT findings.
Wiesmann
M
M
Department of Neuroradiology, University of Munich, Munich, Germany. martin.wiesmann@med.uni-muenchen.de
Steinmeier
E
E
Magerkurth
O
O
Linn
J
J
Gottmann
D
D
Missler
U
U
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001808:Blood Vessels / Q000378:metabolism*; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D015600:Glasgow Coma Scale; D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000378:metabolism*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D064568:S100 Calcium Binding Protein beta Subunit; D009418:S100 Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D013997:Time Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult
D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D064568:S100 Calcium Binding Protein beta Subunit; D009418:S100 Proteins; C579160:S100B protein, human