Decision tree analysis confirmed some of the results of logistic regression and challenged others. This investigation shows that there is knowledge to be gained from analyzing observational data with the aid of decision tree analysis.

Clinical outcome after traumatic diffuse axonal injury (DAI) is difficult to predict. In this study, three magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequences were used to quantify the anatomical distribution of lesions, to grade DAI according to the Adams grading system, and to evaluate the value of lesion localization in combination with clinical prognostic factors to improve outcome prediction. Thirty patients (mean 31.2 years ±14.3 standard deviation) with severe DAI (Glasgow Motor Score [GMS] <6) examined with MRI within 1 week post-injury were included. Diffusion-weighted (DW), T2*-weighted gradient echo and susceptibility-weighted (SWI) sequences were used. Extended Glasgow outcome score was assessed after 6 months. Number of DW lesions in the thalamus, basal ganglia, and internal capsule and number of SWI lesions in the mesencephalon correlated significantly with outcome in univariate analysis. Age, GMS at admission, GMS at discharge, and low proportion of good monitoring time with cerebral perfusion pressure <60 mm Hg correlated significantly with outcome in univariate analysis. Multivariate analysis revealed an independent relation with poor outcome for age (p = 0.005) and lesions in the mesencephalic region corresponding to substantia nigra and tegmentum on SWI (p = 0.008). We conclude that higher age and lesions in substantia nigra and mesencephalic tegmentum indicate poor long-term outcome in DAI. We propose an extended MRI classification system based on four stages (stage I—hemispheric lesions, stage II—corpus callosum lesions, stage III—brainstem lesions, and stage IV—substantia nigra or mesencephalic tegmentum lesions); all are subdivided by age (≥/<30 years).

Intracranial pressure (ICP), cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP), and the pressure reactivity index (PRx) have been shown to correlate with outcome after traumatic brain injury (TBI), but their temporal evolution is less studied. Optimal CPP (CPPopt; i.e., the CPP with the lowest [optimal] PRx value) has been proposed as a dynamic, individualized CPP target. Our aim was to map the temporal course of these parameters and their relation to outcome, in particular the extent and impact of CPP insults based both on fixed CPP thresholds and on divergence from CPPopt. Data from 362 TBI patients with ICP-monitoring treated at the neurointensive care unit of

Background High intracranial pressure (ICP) and low cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) may induce secondary brain injury following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). In the current study, we aimed to determine the temporal incidence of insults above/below certain ICP/CPP thresholds, the role of pressure autoregulation in CPP management (PRx and CPPopt), and the relation to clinical outcome. Methods In this retrospective study, 242 patients were included with aSAH, who were treated in the neurointensive care unit, Uppsala University Hospital, Sweden, 2008–2018, with ICP monitoring the first 10 days post-ictus. Data from ICP, pressure autoregulation (PRx), CPP, and CPPopt (the CPP with the lowest/optimal PRx) were analyzed the first 10 days. The percentage of good monitoring time (GMT) above/below various ICP and CPP thresholds was calculated, e.g., ICP > 20 mm Hg (%), CPP < 60 mm Hg (%), and ∆CPPopt (CPP–CPPopt) < − 10 mm Hg (%). Results Of the 242 patients, 63 (26%) had favorable (GOS-E 5–8) and 179 (74%) had unfavorable (GOS-E 1–4) outcome at 12 months. Higher proportion (GMT) of ICP insults above 20 mm Hg was most common the first 3 days post-ictus and was then independently associated with unfavorable outcome. CPP gradually increased throughout the 10 days post-ictus, and higher proportion of GMT with CPP < 90 mm Hg was independently associated with unfavorable outcome in the late vasospasm phase (days 6.5–10). PRx was above 0 throughout the 10 days and deteriorated in the late vasospasm phase. Higher values were then independently associated with unfavorable outcome. There was no difference in GMT of CPP deviations from CPPopt between the outcome groups. Conclusions Avoiding intracranial hypertension early and maintaining a high CPP in the vasospasm phase when the pressure autoregulation is most disturbed may improve clinical outcome after aSAH.

Neurotrauma.