The prognosis of the traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage: a prospective report of 121 patients.
Recent investigations have shown the significance of subarachnoid bleeding on computed tomography scans first taken after admission for head injuries. In our study, we describe a prospective follow-up of 121 patients with traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage (tSAH). From January 2004 to January 2007 we collected data prospectively from 121 patients admitted with diagnosis of tSAH to our trauma intensive care unit, on the basis of admission with a computed tomography scan. The classification of tSAH was performed using the Fisher scale with modification, and the follow-up was performed using the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS). The minimum period for a follow-up was established 6 months after the injury. Traffic accident was the main cause of head injuries (72% in total; 48% involving cars and 24% involving motorcycles), followed by falls (23%) and aggression (5%). Twenty-eight percent of patients sustained major multiple injuries, with spinal injury as the main associated trauma. The outcome was favorable (GOS score 4 or 5) in 54 patients (45%) and unfavorable (GOS score 1, 2, or 3) in 67 patients (55%). The mortality rate was proportionally greater in patients who had cisternal clots >1 mm (P < 0.001), assessed by the Fisher scale with modification. When functional recovery was evaluated using the GOS, the recovery rate and the daily life activities were lower in patients with intraventricular bleeding (P = 0.001). Our results showed that patients with severe tSAH had the worst prognosis.
Paiva
Wellingson S
WS
Division of Neurological Surgery, University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil. wellingsonpaiva@yahoo.com.br
de Andrade
Almir Ferreira
AF
de Amorim
Robson Luis Oliveira
RL
Muniz
Renan Kawano
RK
Paganelli
Priscila Messias
PM
Bernardo
Luca Silveira
LS
Figueiredo
Eberval Gadelha
EG
Teixeira
Manoel Jacobsen
MJ
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D023261:Glasgow Outcome Scale; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D011859:Radiography; D020206:Subarachnoid Hemorrhage, Traumatic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000401:mortality*; D055815:Young Adult