Outcome scoring in neurosurgery: the cognitive outcome score, an alternative to the Glasgow outcome scale

The qualitative method, the Glasgow outcome scale, remains the convention for patient outcome assessment in the neurosurgical literature. This is despite the fact that sampling methods subject to bias confer low confidence in the conclusions. An alternative, quantitative method, the cognitive outcome score (COS), decreases bias, is cost effective and delivered in less than 10 min. Utilisation of the COS in statistical correlations against common clinical parameters is discussed in theory and practice.