Spinal drain may ease brain pressure after severe head trauma

NCT ID NCT05889650

Recruiting now Disease control Sponsor: Brain Trauma Foundation Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This early-stage trial tests whether draining fluid from the spine (external lumbar drainage) is safe and doable for people with severe traumatic brain injury who have high pressure inside the skull. Thirty adults aged 18-65 will receive either standard care alone or standard care plus the spinal drain. The main goal is to see if the procedure increases the risk of brain herniation or death.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: External lumbar drainage (a procedure to drain fluid from the spine)
What this could lead to: If successful, this could provide a new way to safely lower brain pressure in severe head injury patients, potentially reducing complications.
What could go wrong: This is a very early, small safety trial with only 30 participants. The procedure carries risks like brain herniation or neurological worsening, and it may not prove effective.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Brain Injuries, Traumatic intracranial hypertension traumatic brain injury

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

INTRACRANIAL HYPERTENSION SEVERE TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY

Contacts and locations

Locations

Brooke Army Medical Center
RECRUITING

Fort Sam Houston, Texas, 78234, United States
Kansas University Medical Center
RECRUITING

Kansas City, Kansas, 66160, United States
University of Florida
RECRUITING

Gainesville, Florida, 32610, United States
University of Houston Medical Center
RECRUITING

Houston, Texas, 77030, United States
University of Texas
RECRUITING

San Antonio, Texas, 78249, United States
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
RECRUITING

Dallas, Texas, 75390, United States

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