Neurotrauma Research Group
The Neurotrauma Research Group is based in the Trauma and Neurosurgery Department and Orthopedics Department at St. Michael’s Hospital. Our clinical research is centered around understanding both traumatic and non-traumatic neurological injuries, their natural histories, and the impact of surgical intervention.
ASIST-TBI
Automated Surgical Intervention Support Tool for Traumatic Brain Injury
The Automated Surgical Intervention Support Tool for Traumatic Brain Injury (ASIST-TBI) is a vision transformer-based artificial intelligence model developed by our team. It analyzes head CT scans to identify patients likely to require urgent neurosurgical intervention.
The impact:
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of death and disability. Timely triage is essential, yet identifying patients who need specialized care remains a challenge. In Ontario, neurosurgery accounted for 18,802 emergency referrals in 2021/22, more than all other specialties combined, but only 18% resulted in transfer to a neurosurgical centre.
As a clinical decision-support tool, ASIST-TBI aims to streamline triage and referrals by helping clinicians distinguish patients who need urgent neurosurgical assessment from those who may be safely monitored at their local hospital. By supporting timely care and more efficient use of specialist services, transport resources, and hospital capacity, ASIST-TBI has the potential to improve patient outcomes and ease pressure on Canada’s healthcare system.
Team
55
Studies
591
Publications
70
Awards
Latest Publications
neurosurgical need in traumatic brain injury
Neurosurgical Intervention in Acute Traumatic Brain Injury:
Automated Surgical Intervention Support Tool
