The goal of this prospective observational study is to determine whether the trajectory of optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) after osmotherapy weaning can predict rebound intracranial hypertension in adult patients with traumatic brain injury requiring osmotherapy for elevated intracranial pressure. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does the trajectory of ONSD during osmotherapy weaning predict the development of rebound intracranial hypertension? What is the diagnostic accuracy of serial ONSD measurements for the early detection of rebound intracranial hypertension? Researchers will compare patients who develop rebound intracranial hypertension with those who do not to determine whether changes in ONSD trajectory differ significantly between the two groups. Participants will: Undergo serial bedside ocular ultrasound examinations for ONSD measurement at predefined time points after osmotherapy weaning. Receive standard clinical management for traumatic brain injury according to institutional protocols; no additional therapeutic intervention will be administered. Undergo routine neurological assessments, laboratory investigations, and neuroimaging as clinically indicated. Be followed for the occurrence of rebound intracranial hypertension and relevant clinical outcomes during their ICU stay
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Cerebral edema and elevated intracranial pressure (ICP) are common secondary complications that require prompt management to prevent further neurological injury. Osmotherapy with hypertonic saline or mannitol is routinely used to reduce ICP; however, withdrawal or weaning of osmotherapy may be associated with rebound intracranial hypertension, which can worsen neurological outcomes if not recognized early. Optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD), measured by bedside ocular ultrasonography, is a non-invasive surrogate marker of raised intracranial pressure. Although ONSD has been shown to correlate with ICP in several clinical settings, the predictive value of serial ONSD measurements during osmotherapy weaning for identifying rebound intracranial hypertension has not been adequately investigated.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
100
Serial ultrasonographic measurement of optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) will be performed bilaterally using a standardized transorbital ultrasound technique immediately before osmotherapy reduction or discontinuation (baseline) and at 4, 6, 12, and 24 hours after weaning. Additional measurements may be obtained if clinical deterioration suggestive of rebound intracranial hypertension occurs. ONSD measurements are performed for observational purposes only and will not influence routine clinical management.
Benha university hospital
Banhā, Qalyobia, Egypt
Prediction of rebound intracranial hypertension using serial ONSD measurements
Time frame: Within 24 hours after osmotherapy reduction or discontinuation
Mortality
Death from any cause occurring during the patient's ICU stay following traumatic brain injury and during the study observation period.
Time frame: From ICU admission until ICU discharge or death, assessed for up to 28 days.
2. Length of ICU Stay:
The total duration of ICU admission measured in days from ICU admission until ICU discharge or death.
Time frame: From ICU admission until ICU discharge or death, assessed for up to 28 days.
Need for rescue ICP therapy:
Requirement for additional ICP-lowering interventions beyond restarting osmotherapy due to suspected or confirmed rebound intracranial hypertension. Rescue therapies include: (a) barbiturate infusion (thiopental or pentobarbital), (b) therapeutic hypothermia (target temperature ≤35°C), or (c) controlled hyperventilation (PaCO₂ \<30 mmH
Time frame: Within 48 hours after osmotherapy weaning.
Glasgow Coma Scale trajectory post-weaning
Neurological status assessed using the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS). The GCS total score ranges from 3 to 15, with higher scores indicating better neurological function. A decrease of ≥2 points from the baseline GCS score after osmotherapy discontinuation is considered neurological deterioration suggestive of rebound intracranial hypertension.
Time frame: Measured at baseline (immediately before osmotherapy weaning), then at 4, 6, 12, and 24 hours after weaning (aligned with ONSD measurement time points). The primary analysis will use change in GCS from baseline to 24 hours as a continuous variable.
Time to rebound intracranial hypertension
The interval (in hours) from complete osmotherapy discontinuation (T0) to the first documented episode of rebound intracranial hypertension. Rebound is identified by either: (a) decline in GCS of ≥2 points from baseline not attributable to other causes, or (b) worsening on brain imaging showing increased cerebral edema or mass effect.
Time frame: Assessed continuously during the first 48 hours after osmotherapy weaning. For patients who do not develop rebound, time will be censored at 48 hours.
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