title: Delayed neurological deterioration after mild head injury: cause, temporal course, and outcomes.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Mild head injury (MHI) complicated by an intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) is a common cause of hospital admission after head trauma. Most patients are treated nonoperatively, remain neurologically stable, and are discharged uneventfully. However, a small percentage of patients suffer delayed neurological deterioration (DND). Little is known about the characteristics of DND after an MHI complicated by ICH.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To identify the cause, temporal course, and outcomes of patients who deteriorated neurologically after presenting with MHI and ICH.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective review was performed of all adult patients presenting over 54 consecutive months with MHI and ICH. Patients who were treated nonoperatively after initial head computed tomography and had a subsequent DND (Glasgow Coma Scale score decrease ≥2) were identified. Demographics, neurological status, clinical course, radiographic findings, and outcome data were collected.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Over 54 months, 757 patients with MHI plus ICH were admitted for observation; of these, 31 (4.1%) experienced DND. Eighty-seven percent of patients deteriorated within 24 hours after admission. Twenty-one patients (68%) deteriorated as a result of progressive intracranial hemorrhage, and 10 patients (32%) deteriorated as a result of medical causes. Seven patients (23%) died. Variables significantly associated with mortality included age > 60 years, coagulopathy, and change in Marshall computed tomography classification.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The incidence of delayed neurological deterioration after MHI with ICH is low and usually occurs within 24 hours after admission. It results in significant morbidity and mortality if it is the result of progressive intracranial hemorrhage. Further research is needed to identify risk factors that can allow early detection and improve outcomes in these patients.
authors.affiliation: *Department of Neurological Surgery; ‡Department of Radiology; and §Division of Trauma Surgery, Department of Surgery, UMDNJ--New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey.
authors.forename: Osamah J
authors.initials: OJ
authors.lastname: Choudhry
authors.forename: Charles J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Prestigiacomo
authors.forename: Nihar
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Gala
authors.forename: Shira
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Slasky
authors.forename: Ziad C
authors.initials: ZC
authors.lastname: Sifri
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D006259:Craniocerebral Trauma / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D015600:Glasgow Coma Scale; D006801:Humans; D020300:Intracranial Hemorrhages / Q000209:etiology*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D015898:Tomography Scanners, X-Ray Computed; D014193:Trauma Centers; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult