THE GLASGOW COMA SCALE AND PROGNOSIS IN GUNSHOT WOUNDS TO THE BRAIN

To determine which factors predict survival in patients with gunshot w ounds to the brain, 192 patients who had intracranial injury demonstra ted on computed tomographic (CT) scanning were retrospectively reviewe d. Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores on admission seemed to be the most important factor in predicting survival. Age, the presence of extruded brain, and use of a shotgun could not be shown to be factors independ ent of admission GCS score. Findings on CT scans (single lobe vs. mult ilobe involvement) helped to predict survival only in patients with GC S scores 5-13. The mortality rate was 35%. Among survivors 18% had bra in-related long-term disability, and an additional 27% had long-term d isability related to associated eye injury.