J Korean Neurosurg Soc.  1988 Aug;17(4):797-806.

Multiple Factors on Fatal Outcome Following Head Injury

• Pyen JS
• Kim HJ
• Hong SK
• Han YP

Abstract

The causative factors were analyzed clinicostatically on 113 patients who were dead among 1591 head injured patients during recent 3 years from March, 1983. The conclusions are as follows: 1) The mortality ratio of male to female is 2.9 to 1 and especially 3rd to 5th decade is the most prevalent age group(64 cases, 56.6%). 2) The most common mode of injury is motor vehicle accident(71 cases, 62.8%), followed by fall down and struck on the head in the order of frequency. 3) The 60 cases(53.1%) are in the category of lower GCS(Glasgow Coma Scale) score(< or = 7). 4) The operative intervention does not appear to have any influence on patient's survival time. 5) The abnormal motor and pupil responses are shown on 72 cases(64%) and 75 cases(66%), respectively. 6) The diffuse brain swellings are frequently shown in young age group(<20yr). 7) The leading causes of death are (1)Mass lesion and contusion in cases of lower GCS score(< or = 7) and shorter survival time, and (2) Chest complications and G-I bleeding in cases of higher GCS score(> or = 8) and longer survival time.

Keyword

Head injury; Multiple factors; Death

MeSH Terms

Brain Edema
Cause of Death
Coma
Contusions
Craniocerebral Trauma*
Fatal Outcome*
Female
Head*
Hemorrhage
Humans
Male
Mortality
Motor Vehicles
Pupil
Thorax