Induced moderate hypothermia for the treatment of severe traumatic brain injury: West Virginia's first research case.

The role of hypothermia in the improvement of outcomes among patients suffering severe head injury remains controversial. The "National Acute Brain Injury Study: Hypothermia (NABIS:H)" is a series of prospective trials trying to determine if this therapy provides a beneficial effect. This report describes the case of a patient ejected from a motor vehicle, who presented with a decreased level of consciousness (Glasgow Coma Scale of 5).