Biochemical Analysis of the Cerebrospinal Fluid: Evidence for Catastrophic Energy Failure and Oxidative Damage Preceding Brain Death in Severe Head Injury: a Case Report

Objectives: To compare biochemical and clinical parameters in a case of fatal severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) with secondary insult.

Design And Methods: A TBI patient was catheterized for intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis of ascorbate, malondialdehyde, oxypurines, and nucleosides.

Results: Oxidative brain damage preceded ATP catabolite increment in the CSF even with ICP below 20 mm Hg. Sustained oxidative stress caused irreversible energy state derangement followed by a refractory ICP rise. Massive oxypurine and nucleoside release was recorded 36 h before brain death.

Conclusions: Molecular events, detected by biochemical CSF analysis and preceding modification of clinical parameters in severe TBI with secondary insult, are discussed.