Alcohol abuse and neurological outcome of the severely head injured

This article reports on a study in which the outcome of sober versus intoxicated traumatic brain injured (TBI) patients was evaluated, controlling for age and preinjury alcohol history. Levels of blood alcohol were evaluated for association with the intracranlal diagnosis, controlling for alcohol history and age. Also, intracranial diagnosis versus preinjury alcohol history were evaluated, controlling for blood alcohol level and age. The results showed an association between a history of excessive alcohol use and outcome that was reflected in poor outcome for all types of computed tomography diagnosis and a greater prevalence of mass lesions. Clinical consequences, as well as limitations of the study, are discussed.