Guidelines

Fluids, Electrolytes, and Nutrition in the Critically Ill Patient with Neurotrauma

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* Type of Study: Narrative Review * Authors: Thomas et al. * Institution and City: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA * Journal: Neurosurgical Clinics of North America*, July 2025 * Purpose: To synthesize current clinical practices and considerations for fluid, electrolyte, and Nutritional Management in Critically Ill Neurotrauma Patients. * Conclusions: Isotonic saline remains the fluid of choice for resuscitation in TBI. Hypertonic saline is increasingly favored over mannitol for hyperosmolar therapy. Electrolyte imbalances are prevalent and necessitate close management. Nutritional optimization requires multidisciplinary coordination due to the elevated metabolic demands in TBI 1).

Critical Peer Review

1. Scientific Rigor & Methodology:

This narrative review lacks systematic methodology, which limits reproducibility and objectivity. There is no explicit discussion of inclusion/exclusion criteria for literature cited, nor a transparency framework for evaluating evidence quality. Future iterations would benefit from at least a semi-structured approach or alignment with PRISMA-ScR guidelines for scoping reviews.

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Challenges in Pulmonary Management after Traumatic Brain and Spinal Cord Injury

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In a review Zhou et al. published in Neurosurgery clinics of North America the most common pulmonary complications following traumatic brain injury (TBI) and spinal cord injury (SCI) — such as neurogenic pulmonary edema, Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia, and thromboembolic events — and summarize current understanding of their pathophysiology and treatment, with the goal of guiding early recognition and management to improve outcomes in neurotrauma patients 3)

🧨 Verdict: ❝A clinically themed PowerPoint stretched into ten pages. No risk. No depth. No new thought.❞

⚠️ Fundamental Flaws No Original Contribution → This is not a review — it’s a recitation. The article contributes zero new data, no expert algorithm, and no provocative insight into managing a leading cause of secondary injury in neurotrauma.

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Fever in the Neurocritically Ill Patient

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In a review Kitagawa et al. from McGovern Medical School at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston published in Neurosurgical Clinics of North America to review fever etiology in neurocritically ill patients, assessed current pharmacologic and mechanical strategies for temperature control, and evaluated the existing evidence on whether these interventions improve clinical outcomes. The goal was to inform clinical decision-making in the neuro ICU setting. They concuded that fever is common in neuro ICU patients and is associated with worse outcomes. While several interventions effectively reduce body temperature, the literature remains inconclusive regarding their impact on prognosis. Management should be individualized, weighing the potential benefits against adverse effects. Further research is needed to clarify the clinical value of temperature control in this population 4)

Another polished yet pointless review, safely orbiting the surface of a real clinical problem without offering a single actionable insight. If you’ve spent time in a Neuro-ICU, you already know everything this article says. And if you haven’t — reading it won’t help you survive your next febrile crisis.

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