[Clinical aspects of the prognosis of skull and brain injuries. A study of 108 cases].

An assessment is made of the extent to which age and the degree an seriousness of the initial neurological picture influenced prognosis in a series of 108 subjects with brain injuries treated in the Siena Hospital Intensive Care Unit between 1974 and 1977. Neurological disease was classified according to Posner and Plum. Mortality was 46.

[Dexamethasone-21-phosphate in the treatment of cerebral edema. Evaluation of the effects on diuresis, natremia and natriuria].

An evaluation was made of variations in blood and urinary sodium following the administration of 24 mg/day desamethasone-21-phosphate for at least 9 days, starting from admission, as cerebral antioedemigenic therapy in 30 patients with nerve traumas. The changes observed were within normal limits. This absence of interference with the hydro-electrolyte balance is a strong point in favour of the use of the drug in the treatment of cerebral oedema.

Cranio-orbito-facial injuries: technical suggestions.

Eight per cent of 387 acutely head-injured patients had concomitant orbitofacial injuries. Irrespective of the magnitude of brain injury, the main surgical goals in such cases treated were closure of CSF fistulas, maximizing recovery of eye movement, visual and masticatory function, and esthetic reconstruction. The strictly neurosurgical lesions should be dealt with at once because of the risk of intracranial infection.