title: The Infrascanner, a handheld device for screening in situ for the presence of brain haematomas.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Early identification and treatment of intracranial haematomas in patients sustaining traumatic brain injury is fundamental to successful treatment. This pilot study evaluates the Infrascanner as a handheld medical screening tool for detection, in situ, of brain haematomas in patients with head injury.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study included 35 TBI patients aged 17-76 (M = 47.6), admitted to the neurosurgical intensive care unit and observation unit of a University Hospital in a Level 1 trauma centre. The Infrascanner NIRS device uses near infrared light measurements to calculate optical density in brain regions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Results show Infrascanner sensitivity at 89.5% and specificity at 81.2%. PPV was 85% and NPV 86.7%. The device detected 90% of extra-axial, 88.9% of intra-axial and 93.3% of non-surgical haematomas (less than 25 mL). PPV for this classification was 82.3%; 87.5% sensitivity was found when the Infrascanner exam was performed within 12 hours post-trauma, whereas after 12 hours post-trauma, exams had 90.1% sensitivity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study demonstrates that the Infrascanner is useful in initial examinations and screenings of patients with head injury as an adjunct to a CT scan or when it is not available and may allow earlier treatment and reduce secondary injury caused by present and delayed haematomas.
authors: Human Neuropsychology Laboratory, Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Seville, Spain. leoncarrion@us.es
authors: Jose
authors: J
authors: Leon-Carrion
authors: Jose Maria
authors: JM
authors: Dominguez-Roldan
authors: Umberto
authors: U
authors: Leon-Dominguez
authors: Francisco
authors: F
authors: Murillo-Cabezas
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000150:complications*; D002543:Cerebral Hemorrhage / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D004632:Emergency Medical Services; D005260:Female; D006406:Hematoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007259:Infrared Rays; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011859:Radiography; D055815:Young Adult