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Neuropediatrics 1994; 25(2): 73-77
DOI: 10.1055/s-2008-1071589
Original article

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

The Utility of Electroencephalography and Cerebral Computed Tomography in Children with Mild and Moderately Severe Closed Head Injuries*

M. B. M. Ruijs1, 2 , F. J. M. Gabreëls3 , H. O. M. Thijssen4
  • 1Institute of Neurology, University Hospital Nijmegen St. Radboud, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
  • 2Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, University Hospital Nijmegen St. Radboud, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
  • 3Department of Child Neurology, University Hospital Nijmegen St. Radboud, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
  • 4Department of Neuroradiology, University Hospital Nijmegen St. Radboud, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
* This investigation is part of the research programme of BIO Rehabilitation Centre for Children, Arnhem, The Netherlands
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Publication History

Publication Date:
19 March 2008 (online)

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Abstract

The utility of electroencephalography and computed tomography has been studied in a prospective follow-up study of 54 children with mild and moderately severe closed head injuries. EEG and CT scan were recorded in the acute phase. Furthermore the duration of coma and of post-traumatic amnesia were registrated. During a two years follow up period the presence of residual disorders in various faculties was evaluated at fixed time intervals after discharge. The data have been subjected to correlation analyses to study the relation of EEG and CT scan findings with the severity of the trauma and with the occurrence of long-term sequelae. Both the EEG and the CT scan abnormalities are found to correlate appreciably with the degree of severity and with the occurrence of, in particular, long-term sequelae in the fields of neurological disturbances and school performance. It is concluded that EEG and CT are useful diagnostic tools in children with mild and moderately severe closed head injuries.

Abbreviations

CHI: Closed head injury
CT: Computed tomography
EEG: Electroencephalography
GOS: Glasgow Outcome Score
MRI: Magnetic resonance imaging
PTA: Post-traumatic amnesia

Key words

Closed head injury - Coma - Computed tomography - Electroencephalography - Post-traumatic amnesia