Brain oxygen tension monitoring following penetrating ballistic-like brain injury in rats

► Brain tissue oxygen tension (PbtO2) was monitored in brain injured/uninjured rats. ► In injured rats, PbtO2 was positively correlated with fraction of inspired oxygen. ► In injured rats, PbtO2 was negatively correlated with isoflurane concentrations. ► In rats with traumatic brain injury (TBI), PbtO2 was significantly reduced. ► The study provides guidelines for PbtO2 monitoring in the experimental setting.