Minor Traumatic Intracranial Hemorrhage: Identifying Prognostic Factors and Comparing Patients with Favorable and Unfavorable Outcomes.

BACKGROUND

Whether patients with minor traumatic intracranial hemorrhage (MTICH) require intensive care remains uncertain. This study aimed to identify the factors affecting the postinjury neurologic outcomes of patients with MTICH to determine optimal care.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the data of all patients with trauma discharged from a tertiary trauma center during a 2-year period and included adult patients with isolated MTICH. Patient Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) score at discharge was the primary outcome measurement. A GOS score of 4 or 5 was defined as a favorable outcome, and a score of 1-3 was considered an unfavorable outcome. We compared the clinical data between favorable and unfavorable outcome groups to determine the differences between groups.

RESULTS

Of the 11,814 patients considered, we identified 534 patients who met the inclusion criteria. Older adults accounted for 35.4% of the study cohort. Only 4 complications (0.7%) and 1 mortality (0.2%) were observed during hospitalization. The number of patients who requiring brain surgery, transfusion, mechanical ventilation, pressor, or invasive monitor was 5 (0.9%), 5 (0.9%), 3 (5.6%), 0 (0%), and 0 (0%), respectively. After multivariate analysis, we discovered that comorbidities, brain surgery requirement, respiratory rate, and Trauma Injury Severity Score were strongly associated with patient GOS score at discharge.

CONCLUSIONS

MTICH rarely resulted in permanent morbidity and mortality. Older patients exhibited higher incidences of MTICH and were at a higher risk for unfavorable outcomes.