Unexpected recovery of function after severe traumatic brain injury: the limits of early neuroimaging-based outcome prediction.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Prognostication in the early stage of traumatic coma is a common challenge in the neuro-intensive care unit. We report the unexpected recovery of functional milestones (i.e., consciousness, communication, and community reintegration) in a 19-year-old man who sustained a severe traumatic brain injury. The early magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings, at the time, suggested a poor prognosis.

Methods

During the first year of the patient's recovery, MRI with diffusion tensor imaging and T2*-weighted imaging was performed on day 8 (coma), day 44 (minimally conscious state), day 198 (post-traumatic confusional state), and day 366 (community reintegration). Mean apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and fractional anisotropy values in the corpus callosum, cerebral hemi

SUBMITTER: Edlow BL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3902071 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature