Cerebral vasospasm in traumatic brain injury: A case study

摘要

An unemployed young man with a history of poly-substance abuse suffered a closed head injury as the result of a motor vehicle crash. At the scene, the patient had a prolonged period of unconsciousness and was intubated. Computed tomography (CT) of the brain upon arrival to the trauma center reveals a mild bilateral subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) in a nonspecific pattern. The imaging is thought to be consistent with trauma and is without a space occupying lesion.The following morning he is noted as able to respond to commands during his sedation breaks. He is extubated successfully; no repeat imaging is performed as the patient's neurologic exam continues to improve. He requires narcotic pain medications for his orthopedic injuries.