OPTIONS FOR CEREBRAL PROTECTION AFTER PENETRATING HEAD-INJURY

As more about pathophysiology of traumatic-ischemic brain injury becom es known, more effective means for pharmacologic intervention and neur onal salvage will emerge, and optimisim is high that improvements in f unctional survival will continue. This article discusses the preventio n and treatment of the secondary injury that follows the traumatic ins ult because this offers the best chance for improving current methods for enhancing neurologic recovery subsequent to a penetrating brain in jury. The current and most potentially rewarding avenues for intervent ion in the head-injured patient are discussed.