Do traumatic brain contusions increase in size after decompressive craniectomy?

Hemorrhagic contusions (HC) represent a common consequence of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and usually evolve during the first 12 h after trauma. The relationship between decompressive craniectomy (DC) and evolution of the post-traumatic HC is still unclear. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the impact of DC on HC evolution. Fifty-seven patients with the evidence of at least one HC at admission CT scan were analyzed. Twenty-five patients (Group 1) underwent DC and 32 patients underwent medical therapy alone (Group 2). Fisher's exact test was used to compare categorical variables. Logistic regression model was used to assess the independent contribution of predictive factors (age, ≤50 years; treatment received, DC vs. medical; anticoagulant/antiplatelet drugs intake; Rotterdam CT score, 1-3 vs. 4-6) to the evolution/new appearance of an HC. A significant increase (≥2 cc) of any HC during the observation period was detected in 8 patients (14%): 4/25 patients (16%) of Group 1 and 4/32 patients (12.5%) of Group 2 (Fisher exact test two-sided p=0.72). Univariate and multivariate analyses showed that none of the analyzed factors was associated with increased or de novo appearance of any HC. DC does not seem to constitute a risk factor for the evolution of HC.