Necessity of in-hospital neurological observation for mild traumatic brain injury patients with negative computed tomography brain scans

Abstract

Objective: The authors aimed to evaluate the necessity of in-hospital neurological observation for mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients, who did not have any evidence of intracranial injury from initial computed tomography (CT) brain scans. Material and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed mild TBI patients with initial negative CT brain scans, receiving treatment at Songklanagarind hospital between January and December, 2018. All patients were observed in the emergency department short stay observation unit for 24 hours after injury. Patients’ medical records, initial and official CT brain scan interpretation were collected and analyzed. Results: This study included 493 cases. No patient deteriorated from intracranial injury, while one patient deteriorated from hypoglycemia, associated with his underlying adrenal insufficiency. However, one patient was admitted to the in-patient ward, due to a missed diagnosis of acute subdural hematoma from his initial CT interpretation. The incidence of missed intracranial injury from initial CT brain scan interpretation was 1.6%. The need for neurosurgical intervention (in-patient ward admission, anticonvulsant and repeat brain imaging) was 0.2% (1/493). No patient required surgical intervention. Conclusion: Mild TBI patients, with initial negative CT brain scans, have very low risk for deterioration or need of neuro-surgical intervention. Patient's underlying major comorbidity may be considered as an indication for in-hospital observation.