Predicting Recovery in Patients with Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Necessitating CT

Emergency clinicians had poor predictive ability and generally overestimated recovery potential.

Some patients who suffer head injury develop postconcussive symptoms including headache, fatigue, insomnia, difficulty concentrating, and dizziness, that may result in a prolonged recovery. In this observational study researchers analyzed the ability of emergency clinicians to predict 3-month recovery in 217 adult patients who presented within 24 hours of head injury, met criteria for mild traumatic brain injury (TBI), and underwent head computed tomography (CT) in the emergency department (ED). After test results were available, treating clinicians were asked if they thought the patient would return to pre-TBI functional status by 3 months and would have three or more postconcussive symptoms.

Overall, CT scans identified a traumatic intracr…

Reviewing Author

Lauren M. Westafer, DO, MPH, MS

Disclosures

Grant/Research SupportNational Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

Editorial BoardsAnnals of Emergency Medicine

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAcademy for Academic Women in Emergency Medicine (Social Media Chair)

Lauren M. Westafer, DO, MPH, MS

Disclosures

Grant/Research SupportNational Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

Editorial BoardsAnnals of Emergency Medicine

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAcademy for Academic Women in Emergency Medicine (Social Media Chair)

Predicting Recovery in Patients with Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Necessitating CT

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Reviewing Author