Prognostic significance of serum free radical level in head injury

Abstract

There is evidence that free radicals are released following head injury. Serial estimation of free radical levels in serum of isolated head injury cases showed high levels on the day of injury. Cases having parenchyma damage i.e. diffuse axonal injury and brain edema showed significantly high levels until seventh day of injury whereas cases in whom surface hematoma i.e. extradural hematoma was evacuated showed decline of free radical level to normal. Free radical level is reflected in serum possibly due to breakdown brain blood barrier.

Keywords

• blood-brain barrier. brain edema
• free radicals
• head injury prognosis
• intracranial hematoma