The Infrascanner, a handheld device for screening in situ for the presence of brain haematomas.
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.
Leon-Carrion
Jose
J
Human Neuropsychology Laboratory, Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Seville, Spain. leoncarrion@us.es
Dominguez-Roldan
Jose Maria
JM
Leon-Dominguez
Umberto
U
Murillo-Cabezas
Francisco
F
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