GCS 15: when mild TBI isn't so mild.

Objective: The present study characterizes patients with the mildest of mild traumatic brain injury (TBI), as defined by a Glasgow coma score (GCS) of 15.

Methods: This is an IRB approved observational cohort study of adult patients who presented to the emergency department of a Level-1 trauma center, with the primary diagnosis of TBI and a GCS score of 15 on arrival. Data collected included demographic variables such as age, gender, race, mechanisms of injury, signs and symptoms including associated vomiting, seizures, loss of consciousness (LOC), alteration of consciousness (AOC), and post-traumatic amnesia (PTA).