Prognosis of severe head injuries.

The authors have analyzed retrospectively a series of 288 consecutive patients with severe head injury observed between January, 1977, and May, 1980. Seventy-three patients were excluded as not being compatible with those of the International Data Bank. The remaining 215 patients complied with the definition of coma given by Jennett.

Homovanillic acid and 5-hydroxyindole-acetic acid in the csf of patients after a severe head injury. II. Ventricular csf concentrations in acute brain post-traumatic syndromes.

Ventricular concentrations of homovanillic acid (HVA) and 5-hydroxyindole-acetic acid (5HIAA) were measured in 7 patients a few days after a severe traumatic brain injury. Both acid metabolites were elevated in respect to control patients values, however, the rise was more consistent for 5HIAA (258 +/- 86 ng/ml) with a 5HIAA/HVA ratio of 0.85 +/- 0.