Can S100B Predict and Evaluate Post-Traumatic Hydrocephalus

Abstract

Objective: Post-traumatic hydrocephalus (PTH) is a common complication of craniocerebral injury. If not diagnosed in time, PTH can lead to clinical deterioration and a poor prognosis. The early diagnosis of PTH can lead to success with early treatment. However, PTH can be easily ignored during rehabilitation. The main purpose of the present study was to investigate whether plasma S100B protein levels can be used as a biochemical predictive index of PTH. We also explored the correlation among S100B protein levels, intracranial pressure, and PTH severity.

Methods: The data from 235 patients with traumatic brain injury treated from June 2014 to June 2019 in our hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Statistical analysis was performed on 3 serum S100B samples from each patient. The first sample was taken 1-3 days after the injury and surgery. The second sample was harvested during the stable period after treatment, and the third sample was taken when PTH had been confirmed by computed tomography. We analyzed the change in S100B protein levels, and intracranial pressure was measured by lumbar puncture.

Results: A total of 235 patients (Glasgow coma scale score <12) with traumatic brain injury were investigated. Of these 235 patients, 46 (19%) had developed PTH. The first and second S100B samples showed no significant differences between the patients with and without PTH. In the third sample, the S100B level of the patients with PTH was significantly greater than that of the patients without PTH, with a statistically significant difference. Statistical analysis found no correlation between the S100B level and the severity of PTH.

Conclusions: Measurements of serum S100B can be used to predict for PTH. We found a positive correlation between S100B levels and intracranial pressure but no correlation with the severity of PTH. Thus, serum S100B could have important clinical significance for the early detection and evaluation of PTH.

Keywords: Intracranial pressure; Post-traumatic hydrocephalus; S100B protein; Severity of hydrocephalus.