Blood tests could be used to diagnose traumatic brain injuries within an hour, a new study has found, which could “dramatically” reduce reliance on CT scans.
Doctors in the Mater hospital in Dublin have led a study called Bambi (biomarkers of acute mild brain injury), examining the molecular signature of proteins of brain trauma via a blood test that is taken in the Emergency Department (ED).
Some 215 patients with head injuries who presented at the Mater’s ED between last July and December were part of the research, undergoing a blood test for traumatic brain injury as well as a head CT scan.
According to the study, published in the British Journal of Neurosurgery on Wednesday, the test was able to correctly identify 100 per cent of the head injuries detected by CT scans.
READ MORE
The researchers said the test can be delivered in less than one hour and has the potential to improve patient flow by reducing the need for CT scans for head injuries.
Lead researcher Prof Phil O’Halloran, consultant neurosurgeon at the Mater hospital and the Royal London Hospital, said the study was specifically for mild brain injuries, which account for around 90 per cent of such injury types.
“The injury has to be within 12 hours. Biomarkers don’t hang around for very long and so we have to get sample early,” he added.
O’Halloran said it is estimated that there are between 10,000 and 12,000 hospital admissions relating to traumatic brain injury in Ireland every year. However, he said the true extent of such injuries is believed to be much higher when including those who do not attend hospital.
[ Brain injury in sport is out of control, and getting worse, writes a neurologistOpens in new window ]
“It’s a very common presentation to EDs across the country. We’re all acutely aware of dangers posed by overcrowding in EDs. This allows us to identify people who may not need a CT scan ... and they could go home much, much sooner. The knock-on effect is patient flow through ED is better,” he said.
Dr Paula O’Shea, consultant clinical biochemist at the Mater and assistant professor at University College Dublin, said the study could not work without various departments working together.
“Everybody goes to work trying to do our best. We always endeavour to try and improve because the patient is the centre but we need evidence to support changes. This is an emerging and evolving area. It’s coming to the fore now,” she said.
“The data we have produced is very exciting. For me, it’s very pleasing to see we are moving away from silos, and different departments are working together.”
The medics have received HSE Spark Innovation funding to further expand the project and recruit 2,000 patients and evaluate how the test performs as part of routine ED care.
