Clinical and etiological profile of traumatic brain injury in the Emergency Department, Institute of Emergency Medicine, 2024

Abstract

Background. Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a frequent and complex pathology in emergency practice, significantly impacting the functional status and socio-economic condition of adult patients. Early and properly directed intervention in emergency department is essential to reduce complications and neurological sequelae. Objective(s). Evaluation of the clinical-demographic, etiological, severity, associated comorbidities and management applied within the ED of the Institute of Emergency Medicine (IEM), in patients diagnosed with TBI. Materials and methods. A prospective descriptive study was conducted on a cohort of 72 adult patients with TBI who presented to the Emergency Department (ED) of the Institute of Emergency Medicine (IEM) between January 1 and December 31, 2024. Clinical, demographic, etiological parameters, comorbidities, imaging Results. s, and clinical evolution were analyzed. Results. In 2024, 72 cases of TBI in adults were reported: 37,5% treated in the red zone (severe forms) and 62,5% in the yellow zone (moderate/mild forms). In 66% were men (p<0.05), with an average age of 53 years. Patients aged 30-50 years predominated-40%: and >60 years-35%, the rest under 30 years-25%. Etiology included: falls-38,9%, road accidents-27,8%, assaults-18,1%. Mild forms predominated 77,8%, and intracranial lesions were identified in 51% of patients. Emergency neurosurgery was required in 13,9% of cases. Hospitalization lasted an average of 7,5 days, and neurological disabilities were observed in 35% of moderate and severe cases. Conclusion(s). There is a significant proportion of moderate and severe forms of TBI associated with major etiological factors and relevant comorbidities. Integrated management in the ED, specialized rehabilitation is crucial to reduce disabilities and optimize the care of adult patients with TBI.