Outcomes in Patients with Mild Traumatic Brain Injury with No Significant Radiological Findings

Outcomes in Mild TBI without Radiological Findings

Abstract

Objective: To determine the functional outcomes in patients presenting with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) without significant radiological findings and to assess symptom improvement at follow-up.
Methodology: A prospective observational study was conducted in the Emergency and Neurosurgery Department of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Trauma Center (SMBBIT), Karachi, Pakistan, from June to November 2025. A total of 264 patients aged 18–50 years with mTBI, no significant CT findings, and presentation within 24 hours of injury were enrolled using non-probability sampling. Demographic and clinical data, including mechanism of injury, comorbidities, medications, and work absence, were recorded. Functional outcomes were assessed using the Extended Glasgow Outcome Scale (eGOS). Follow-up at 2 and 6 weeks was stratified by initial eGOS score. Chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests were applied, p value less than 0.05 was marked as significant.
Results: The mean age of patients was 37 years, and males accounted for 82.2% of cases. The median eGOS score was 7, and 70.8% of patients had mild disability. At 2-week follow-up, headache (97%), absence from work (73%), and vomiting (39%) were common symptoms. At 6 weeks, 72% of patients reported difficulty concentrating.
Conclusion: Functional outcomes in mTBI patients were generally favorable; however, persistent symptoms, including headache, vomiting, and concentration difficulties, persisted during follow-up.