How to manage diffuse axonal injury

Diffuse axonal injury is a relatively serious clinical condition because these patients usually present in a comatose state after injury. Treatment of these patients must begin with keeping their airway open and maintaining respiratory and blood pressure stability. For patients with respiratory impairment, such as blood gas monitoring with oxygenation index less than 300 mmHg or rapid or slow respiratory rate, ventilator-assisted ventilation and tracheotomy should be considered. Since these patients are bedridden for a long time, they also need to be given active nutritional support to prevent related complications, such as pulmonary infections, urinary tract infections, and deep vein thrombosis of the lower extremities. It can also be combined with symptomatic treatment such as hypothermic hibernation and hyperbaric oxygen. If the head CT suggests more serious displacement of midline structures, surgery needs to be considered.