Early intracranial infections after brain missile injuries--the role of computer tomography in diagnosis and treatment

Acta Med Croatica. 1997;51(4-5):233-7.

Abstract

During the war in Croatia, from August 1991 until December 1994, 138 soldiers were treated at the Split University Hospital for different brain injuries inflicted by missiles. Nine of these 138 patients developed intracranial infection. This retrospective study reports on the outcome of these 9 intracranial infections caused by penetrating missile head injuries. In case of clinically suspected infection, computerized tomography scan was obtained at two time points during the course of infection in the same patient. Scans were obtained with and without contrast media, 7 to 14 days after the injury and the 4 weeks later. The role of computerized tomography in the detection and follow-up of various intracranial infections and long-term consequences were evaluated.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Brain Injuries / diagnostic imaging*
  • Brain Injuries / etiology
  • Brain Injuries / microbiology
  • Croatia
  • Encephalitis / diagnostic imaging
  • Encephalitis / etiology
  • Humans
  • Meningitis / diagnostic imaging
  • Meningitis / etiology
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed*
  • Warfare*
  • Wound Infection / diagnostic imaging*
  • Wounds, Gunshot / diagnostic imaging
  • Wounds, Gunshot / microbiology
  • Wounds, Penetrating / diagnostic imaging*
  • Wounds, Penetrating / microbiology