Clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with traumatic brain injury transferred from ultra-high-altitude areas: patient series.

Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients transferred from high-altitude areas present with unique challenges that complicate the treatment of these patients. This study aims to summarize the clinical characteristics and treatment experience of TBI patients transferred to the authors' center from ultra-high-altitude areas.

Observations: The authors conducted a retrospective case series analysis of 10 TBI cases admitted to their center between January 2021 and December 2023. These patients were airlifted from areas > 3500 m above sea level. On admission and at specified intervals up to 30 days postadmission, patients underwent head CT scans, laboratory tests, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) assessments. Self-care ability scores and psychological assessments were obtained at various time points postdischarge. With a precise and proactive treatment strategy, there was a significant reduction in intracranial hematoma volume, hemoglobin levels, D-dimer, procalcitonin, and serum sodium by the 30th day. The incidence of PTSD was markedly reduced at 6 months postdischarge compared with initial assessments within the 1st week.

Lessons: TBI patients transferred from high-altitude areas exhibited persistent intracerebral hematoma, elevated intracranial pressure, relative anemia, hypercoagulation, etc., and thus a precise and proactive treatment would benefit these patients. https://thejns.org/doi/10.3171/CASE24823.