Artificial Intelligence Treatment Tool for TBI
When someone has been diagnosed with a head or brain injury, one of the toughest questions that doctors need to answer is whether or not that person requires surgery. In some cases, surgery can be lifesaving; however, these operations can come with significant risks. The stakes are even higher when the injury involves the brain. Damage to cells in the brain, such as neurons, often end up being permanent. Because of this, doctors need to act both quickly and accurately.
A recently published research article discussed the possibility of using artificial intelligence as a treatment tool for traumatic brain injuries. This tool may lead to improved outcomes for individuals and their families.
The Quality of Life Plays a Role in the Decision
In a case report, a man was involved in a serious auto accident and had suffered a severe TBI. Unfortunately, this individual was also diagnosed with a brain bleed. As the blood continued to fill his skull, the brain tissue was squeezed against the bones of his head. This was leading to irreversible brain damage.
His doctor needed to make a difficult decision. If the surgeon operated quickly, the man’s life might be saved. On the other hand, the surgeon also knew that there was a possibility the patient would require a breathing and feeding tube for the rest of his life. This is one of the biggest challenges facing surgeons who operate on individuals following a severe TBI.
The Current Standard: Using Algorithms
One of the reasons why treating a brain injury is so challenging is the lack of certainty. In some cases, individuals who have a serious TBI can benefit tremendously from surgery. They can recover in a meaningful way and go on to have a good quality of life. However, some individuals die during the operation, making this a futile effort. Doctors have acknowledged that, in some situations, the correct answer regarding treatment is to do nothing. Many patients who suffer a TBI are unconscious, leaving their families to make decisions in an impossible situation.
Today, many neurosurgeons rely on statistical models and algorithms to help make decisions regarding whether or not to operate. The system used by most doctors today is called IMPACT (International Mission for Prognosis & Analysis of Clinical Trials), which is specific to TBIs. This model was developed based on the outcomes of over 8,000 people who sustained a head or brain injury. This model helps brain surgeons predict who will make a meaningful recovery after a TBI and who will not.
An Expansion to Traumatic Brain Injury Artificial Intelligence
The goal of researchers today is to expand this algorithm into an artificial intelligence system. Research studies have already shown that when surgeons follow an algorithm, they are more consistent in their decision-making process. The next step beyond algorithms is to integrate an artificial intelligence system. These networks work more quickly and produce results more consistently. A recent study by the University of Vermont demonstrated that artificial intelligence networks are better than neurosurgeons when it comes to predicting the outcomes for patients who have been diagnosed with a TBI.
These artificial intelligence networks are first exposed to electronic databases regarding thousands of TBI patients with different outcomes and severities. Computers use this information to form a model where they predict the results for future patients. This information guides the neurosurgeons when they are deciding whether or not to operate on a particular individual. Even though these traumatic brain injury artificial intelligence tools are still in the experimental phase, they might prove helpful in determining when to perform surgery on a head injury. This may lead to improved outcomes for patients in the future.
Watch YouTube Video: The Impact of Technology on Clinical Trials: Will A.I. and Mobile Create Cures Faster? In this video, a panelist of medical experts discuss the new technologies that promise to find the right participants for clinical trials.
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