Prospective observational cohort study on epidemiology, treatment and outcome of patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) in German BG hospitals.

Objectives: Since 2000/2001, no large-scale prospective studies addressing traumatic brain injury (TBI) epidemiology in Germany have been published. Our aim was to look for a possible shift in TBI epidemiology described in other European countries, to look for possible changes in TBI management and to identify predictors of 1-year outcome especially in patients with mild TBI.

Design: Observational cohort study.

Cranioplasty using custom-made hydroxyapatite versus titanium: a randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE Cranioplasty is routinely performed in neurosurgery. One of its underestimated problems is the high postoperative complication rate of up to 40%. Due to the lack of good prospective studies and the small number of patients (5-20 each year) who receive alloplastic materials, decisions in favor or against a certain material are based on subjective empirical or economic reasons.