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Introduction: This study tested the hypothesis that S100 β is a useful screening tool for detecting intracranial lesion (IL) in patients with a normal level of consciousness after traumatic brain injury (TBI). Methods: One hundred and forty-three post-TBI patients without a decrease in consciousness (GCS == 15) and with at least one neurological symptom (e.g. transitory loss of consciousness, amnesia, headache, dizziness or vomiting) were prospectively included. A blood sample was drawn at 6-hours post-TBI. A routine CT scan was obtained within 24 hours post-injury. Diagnostic properties of S100 β for IL prediction in CT scan findings were tested using ROC-analysis. Results: A total of 15 patients (10.5%%) had IL. Serum levels were significantly higher in these patients. Significant differences were found between S100 β levels and CT scan findings ( p == 0.007). ROC-analysis showed that S100 β is a useful tool for detecting the presence of IL in CT scans ( p == 0.007). In this series, the best cut-off for S100 β is 0.130 µg L−1, with 100%% sensitivity and 32.81%% specificity. Conclusion: Within the first 6 hours post-TBI, serum S100 β seems to be an effective biochemical indicator of IL in patients without a decrease in consciousness. These results indicate that higher S100 β cut-off values substantially improve the clinical relevance of this protein. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Brain injury is an important, potentially devastating, complication in cardiac surgery. A significant number of patients suffer perioperative complications involving the central nervous system. Clinical manifestations of brain injury are associated with significantly increased mortality, morbidity and health resource utilization. Serum biomarkers have been studied in cardiac surgery to measure the degree and incidence of brain injury and to improve patient management., Methods: All relevant studies were identified by computerized searches of PubMed using the following Medical Subject Headings and keywords term: biomarker, cardiac surgery, brain injury and neurological complication., Results: The biomarkers that appear to be better indicators of brain injury severity in cardiac surgery and its consequences are S100B protein, neuron-specific enolase, glial fibrillary acidic protein, tau protein, matrix metalloproteinase-9, ubiquitin C terminal hydroxylase-L1 and neurofilaments., Conclusions: These biomarkers, independently of clinical and radiological findings, show global cerebral situation at the cellular level and the degree of brain dysfunction. However, up to date, there is no biomarker entirely suitable for the detection of brain injury after cardiac surgery.