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{{short description|Serious trauma to the cranium}} | |||
{{see also|Traumatic brain injury}} | {{see also|Traumatic brain injury}} | ||
{{redirect-distinguish|Head trauma|Psychological trauma}} | |||
{{refimprove|date=May 2017}} | |||
{{more citations needed|date=May 2017}} | |||
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{{Infobox medical condition (new) | {{Infobox medical condition (new) | ||
| name |
| name = Head injury | ||
| synonyms |
| synonyms = Head trauma | ||
| image |
| image = Head wound received at Antietam 1862.jpg | ||
| caption |
| caption = Soldier wounded at the ] on September 17, 1862. | ||
| pronounce |
| pronounce = | ||
| field |
| field = ], ], ] | ||
| symptoms |
| symptoms = Injury to the brain or skull | ||
| complications = ], ], ], ], ], nervous system damage, ], ] | |||
| complications = | |||
| onset |
| onset = | ||
| duration |
| duration = | ||
| types = ], ], ], ], ] | |||
| types = | |||
| causes |
| causes = | ||
| risks |
| risks = | ||
| diagnosis |
| diagnosis = | ||
| differential |
| differential = | ||
| prevention |
| prevention = | ||
| treatment |
| treatment = | ||
| medication |
| medication = | ||
| prognosis |
| prognosis = | ||
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| deaths |
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}} | }} | ||
A '''head injury''' is any injury that results in trauma to the ] or ]. The terms ''traumatic brain injury'' and ''head injury'' are often used interchangeably in the medical literature.<ref name="bmj.com">{{cite journal | vauthors = Hardman S, Rominiyi O, King D, Snelson E | title = Is cranial computed tomography unnecessary in children with a head injury and isolated vomiting? | journal = BMJ | volume = 365 | pages = l1875 | date = May 2019 | pmid = 31123100 | doi = 10.1136/bmj.l1875 | s2cid = 163165272 }}</ref> Because head injuries cover such a broad scope of injuries, there are many causes—including accidents, falls, physical assault, or traffic accidents—that can cause head injuries. | |||
The number of new cases is 1.7 million in the United States each year, with about 3% of these incidents leading to death. Adults have head injuries more frequently than any age group resulting from falls, motor vehicle crashes, colliding or being struck by an object, or assaults. Children, however, may experience head injuries from accidental falls or intentional causes (such as being struck or shaken) leading to hospitalization.<ref name="bmj.com"/> ] (ABI) is a term used to differentiate brain injuries occurring after birth from injury, from a ], or from a ].<ref>{{cite book | last=Elbaum | first = Jean | name-list-style = vanc |title=Counseling Individuals Post Acquired Brain Injury; In: Acquired Brain Injury|pages=259–274|publisher=Springer New York|isbn=9780387375748| date = 2007-04-13 }}</ref> | |||
A head injury is any injury that results in trauma to the ] or ]. The terms ''traumatic brain injury'' and ''head injury'' are often used interchangeably in the medical literature.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/317473209|title=Forensic neuropsychology in practice : a guide to assessment and legal processes|date=2009|publisher=Oxford University Press|others=Young, Susan, 1957-, Kopelman, Michael D., Gudjonsson, Gisli H.|isbn=9780198566830|edition=1st ed|location=Oxford|oclc=317473209}}</ref> Because head injuries cover such a broad scope of injuries, there are many causes—including accidents, falls, physical assault, or traffic accidents—that can cause head injuries. Many of these are minor, but some can be severe enough to require hospitalization.<ref name = "Selcuk_2013" /> | |||
Unlike a broken bone where trauma to the body is obvious, head trauma can sometimes be conspicuous or inconspicuous. In the case of an open head injury, the skull is cracked and broken by an object that makes contact with the brain. This leads to bleeding. Other obvious symptoms can be neurological in nature. The person may become sleepy, behave abnormally, lose consciousness, vomit, develop a severe headache, have mismatched pupil sizes, and/or be unable to move certain parts of the body. While these symptoms happen immediately after a head injury occurs, many problems can develop later in life. ], for example, is much more likely to develop in a person who has experienced a head injury.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Proskuriakova NA, Kasendeeva MK | title = | journal = Zdravookhranenie Kirgizii | issue = 5 | pages = 44–8 | date = September 1975 | pmid = 1942 }}</ref> | |||
The number of new cases is 1.7 million in the United States each year, with about 3% of these incidents leading to death. Adults have head injuries more frequently than any age group resulting from falls, motor vehicle crashes, colliding or being struck by an object, or assaults. Children, however, may experience head injuries from accidental falls or intentional causes (such as being struck or shaken) leading to hospitalization.<ref name=":4">{{cite journal | last = Atianzar | first = Kimberly | last2=Casterella |first2=Peter |last3=Zhang |first3=Ming |last4=Sharma |first4=Rahul |last5=Gafoor| first5=Sameer | name-list-format = vanc |date=2017|title=Update on the Management of Patent Foramen Ovale in 2017: Indication for Closure and Literature Review |journal=US Cardiology Review|volume=11|issue=2|pages=75|doi=10.15420/usc.2017:18:1|issn=1758-3896}}</ref> ] (ABI) is a term used in appropriate circles to differentiate brain injuries occurring after ] from injury, from a ], or from a ].<ref>{{cite book | last=Elbaum | first = Jean | name-list-format = vanc |title=Counseling Individuals Post Acquired Brain Injury |work=Acquired Brain Injury|pages=259–274|publisher=Springer New York|isbn=9780387375748}}</ref> | |||
Unlike a broken bone where trauma to the body is obvious, head trauma can sometimes be conspicuous or inconspicuous. In the case of an open head injury, the skull is cracked and broken by an object that makes contact with the brain. This leads to bleeding. Other obvious symptoms can be neurological in nature. The person may become sleepy, behave abnormally, lose consciousness, vomit, develop a severe headache, have mismatched pupil sizes, and/or be unable to move certain parts of the body. While these symptoms happen immediately after a head injury occurs, many problems can develop later in life. ], for example, is much more likely to develop in a person who has experienced a head injury.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Proskuriakova NA, Kasendeeva MK | title = | journal = Zdravookhranenie Kirgizii | issue = 5 | pages = 44–8 | date = September 1975 | pmid = 1942 }}</ref> | |||
Brain damage, which is the destruction or degeneration of brain cells, is a common occurrence in those who experience a head injury. ] is another cause of brain damage that typically refers to selective, chemically induced ]/brain damage.{{TOC limit|3}} | Brain damage, which is the destruction or degeneration of brain cells, is a common occurrence in those who experience a head injury. ] is another cause of brain damage that typically refers to selective, chemically induced ]/brain damage.{{TOC limit|3}} | ||
==Classification== | ==Classification== | ||
Head injuries include both injuries to the brain and those to other parts of the head, such as the ] and ]. Head injuries can be closed or open. A closed (non-missile) head injury is where the ] remains intact. The skull can be fractured, but not necessarily. A ] occurs when an object pierces the skull and breaches the dura mater. Brain injuries may be ], occurring over a wide area, or focal, located in a small, specific area. A head injury may cause ], which may or may not be associated with injury to the brain. Some patients may have linear or depressed skull fractures.If ] occurs, a ] within the skull can put pressure on the brain. Types of intracranial hemorrhage include ], ], ], and ]. ] surgeries are used in these cases to lessen the pressure by draining off blood. | Head injuries include both injuries to the brain and those to other parts of the head, such as the ] and ]. Head injuries can be closed or open. A closed (non-missile) head injury is where the ] remains intact. The skull can be fractured, but not necessarily. A ] occurs when an object pierces the skull and breaches the dura mater. Brain injuries may be ], occurring over a wide area, or focal, located in a small, specific area. A head injury may cause ], which may or may not be associated with injury to the brain. Some patients may have linear or depressed skull fractures. If ] occurs, a ] within the skull can put pressure on the brain. Types of intracranial hemorrhage include ], ], ], and ]. ] surgeries are used in these cases to lessen the pressure by draining off the blood. | ||
] can occur at the site of impact, but can also be at the opposite side of the skull due to a '']'' effect (the impact to the head can cause the brain to move within the skull, causing the brain to impact the interior of the skull opposite the head-impact). If the impact causes the head to move, the injury may be worsened, because the brain may ricochet inside the skull causing additional impacts, or the brain may stay relatively still (due to inertia) but be hit by the moving skull (both are contrecoup injuries). | ] can occur at the site of impact, but can also be at the opposite side of the skull due to a '']'' effect (the impact to the head can cause the brain to move within the skull, causing the brain to impact the interior of the skull opposite the head-impact). While impact on the brain at the same site of injury to the skull is the coup effect. If the impact causes the head to move, the injury may be worsened, because the brain may ricochet inside the skull causing additional impacts, or the brain may stay relatively still (due to inertia) but be hit by the moving skull (both are contrecoup injuries). | ||
Specific problems after head injury can include<ref name=":0">{{cite book | last1 = Daisley | first1 = Audrey | last2 = Kischka | first2 = Udo | last3 = Tams | first3 = Rachel | name-list- |
Specific problems after head injury can include<ref name=":0">{{cite book | last1 = Daisley | first1 = Audrey | last2 = Kischka | first2 = Udo | last3 = Tams | first3 = Rachel | name-list-style = vanc | title = Head Injury | date = 2008 | publisher = OUP Oxford | location = Oxford |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PnzkLAlQ0LgC| isbn = 9780191578717 }}</ref><ref name=":1">{{cite book | last1 = Macfarlane | first1 = Robert | last2 = Hardy | first2 = David G. | name-list-style = vanc | title = Outcome after Head, Neck and Spinal Trauma: a medicolegal guide|date=1997|publisher=Reed Educational and Professional Publishing Ltd.|location=Oxford|isbn=978-0-7506-2178-6}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{cite book|last1=Powell|first1=Trevor| name-list-style = vanc |title=Head Injury: A Practical Guide|date=2004|publisher=Speech mark publishing Ltd.|location=United Kingdom|isbn=978-0-86388-451-1|edition= 2nd}}</ref> | ||
{{columns-list|colwidth=30em| | {{columns-list|colwidth=30em| | ||
* Skull fracture | * Skull fracture | ||
* ]s to the scalp and resulting ] of the skin | * ]s to the scalp and resulting ] of the skin | ||
* Traumatic subdural hematoma, a bleeding below the ] which may develop slowly | * Traumatic ], a bleeding below the ] which may develop slowly | ||
* Traumatic extradural, or epidural hematoma, bleeding between the dura mater and the skull | * Traumatic extradural, or ], bleeding between the dura mater and the skull | ||
* Traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage | * Traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage | ||
* ], a bruise of the brain | * ], a bruise of the brain | ||
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===Concussion=== | ===Concussion=== | ||
{{main |
{{main|Concussion|Pediatric concussion}} | ||
]]] | |||
A concussion is a form of a mild traumatic brain injury (TBI). This injury is a result due to a blow to the head that could make the |
A concussion is a form of a mild traumatic brain injury (TBI). This injury is a result due to a blow to the head that could make the person's physical, cognitive, and emotional behaviors irregular. Symptoms may include clumsiness, ], ], ], ], ]s, and others.<ref>{{cite web|title=Concussion - Symptoms and causes|url=https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/concussion/symptoms-causes/syc-20355594|access-date=2020-10-16|website=Mayo Clinic|language=en}}</ref> Mild concussions are associated with ]e.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Rao V, Syeda A, Roy D, Peters ME, Vaishnavi S | title = Neuropsychiatric aspects of concussion: acute and chronic sequelae | journal = Concussion | volume = 2 | issue = 1 | pages = CNC29 | date = March 2017 | pmid = 30202570 | pmc = 6094361 | doi = 10.2217/cnc-2016-0018 }}</ref> Severity is measured using various ]. | ||
A slightly greater injury is associated with both anterograde and retrograde ] (inability to remember events before or after the injury). The amount of time that the amnesia is present correlates with the severity of the injury. In all cases the patients |
A slightly greater injury is associated with both anterograde and retrograde ] (inability to remember events before or after the injury). The amount of time that the amnesia is present correlates with the severity of the injury. In all cases, the patients develop ], which includes memory problems, dizziness, tiredness, sickness and ]. Cerebral ] is the most common head injury seen in children.<ref name=":3">{{cite journal | vauthors = Arciniegas DB, Anderson CA, Topkoff J, McAllister TW | title = Mild traumatic brain injury: a neuropsychiatric approach to diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment | journal = Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment | volume = 1 | issue = 4 | pages = 311–27 | date = December 2005 | pmid = 18568112 | pmc = 2424119 }}</ref> | ||
===Intracranial bleeding=== | ===Intracranial bleeding=== | ||
{{Main |
{{Main|Intracranial hemorrhage}} | ||
Types of intracranial hemorrhage are roughly grouped into intra-axial and extra-axial. The hemorrhage is considered a ]; that is, it occurs in a localized spot rather than causing diffuse damage over a wider area. | Types of intracranial hemorrhage are roughly grouped into intra-axial and extra-axial. The hemorrhage is considered a ]; that is, it occurs in a localized spot rather than causing diffuse damage over a wider area. | ||
====Intra-axial bleeding==== | ====Intra-axial bleeding==== | ||
{{Main |
{{Main|cerebral hemorrhage}} | ||
Intra-axial hemorrhage is bleeding within the brain itself, or ]. This category includes ], or bleeding within the brain tissue, and ], bleeding within the brain's ]s (particularly of ]). Intra-axial hemorrhages are more dangerous and harder to treat than extra-axial bleeds.<ref name="Brant07">{{cite book |author=Seidenwurm DI |veditors=Brant WE, Helms CA |chapter=Introduction to brain imaging |title=Fundamentals of Diagnostic Radiology |publisher=Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins |location=Philadelphia |year=2007 |page=53 |isbn=978-0-7817-6135-2 |
Intra-axial hemorrhage is bleeding within the brain itself, or ]. This category includes ], or bleeding within the brain tissue, and ], bleeding within the brain's ]s (particularly of ]). Intra-axial hemorrhages are more dangerous and harder to treat than extra-axial bleeds.<ref name="Brant07">{{cite book |author=Seidenwurm DI |veditors=Brant WE, Helms CA |chapter=Introduction to brain imaging |title=Fundamentals of Diagnostic Radiology |publisher=Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins |location=Philadelphia |year=2007 |page=53 |isbn=978-0-7817-6135-2 |access-date=2008-11-17 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Sossht2t5XwC&q=extra-axial+intra-axial&pg=PA53 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171106031550/https://books.google.com/books?id=Sossht2t5XwC&pg=PA53&lpg=PA53&dq=extra-axial+intra-axial |archive-date=2017-11-06 }}</ref> | ||
====Extra-axial bleeding==== | ====Extra-axial bleeding==== | ||
{{Epidural vs. subdural hematoma}} | |||
{|class="wikitable" align="left" | |||
! Hematoma type !! Epidural !! Subdural {{navbar|Epidural vs. subdural hematoma|mini=1|nodiv=1}} | |||
|- | |||
! Location | |||
| Between the ] and the ] ||Between the ''dura'' and the ] | |||
|- | |||
! Involved vessel | |||
| Temperoparietal locus (most likely) – ] <br>Frontal locus – ] <br>Occipital locus – ] or ]es <br>Vertex locus – ] || ] | |||
|- | |||
! Symptoms(depend on severity) | |||
| ] followed by ] || Gradually increasing ] and ] | |||
|- | |||
! ] appearance | |||
| ] || ]-shaped | |||
|- | |||
|} | |||
{{Clear}} | |||
Extra-axial hemorrhage, bleeding that occurs within the skull but outside of the brain tissue, falls into three subtypes: | Extra-axial hemorrhage, bleeding that occurs within the skull but outside of the brain tissue, falls into three subtypes: | ||
* ] (extradural hemorrhage) which occur between the ] (the outermost ]) and the skull, is caused by trauma. It may result from laceration of an artery, most commonly the ]. This is a very dangerous type of injury because the bleed is from a high-pressure system and deadly increases in ] can result rapidly. However, it is the least common type of meningeal bleeding and is seen in 1% to 3% cases of head injury |
* ] (extradural hemorrhage) which occur between the ] (the outermost ]) and the skull, is caused by trauma. It may result from laceration of an artery, most commonly the ]. This is a very dangerous type of injury because the bleed is from a high-pressure system and deadly increases in ] can result rapidly. However, it is the least common type of meningeal bleeding and is seen in 1% to 3% cases of head injury. | ||
** Patients have a loss of consciousness (LOC), then a ], then sudden deterioration (vomiting, restlessness, LOC) | ** Patients have a loss of consciousness (LOC), then a ], then sudden deterioration (vomiting, restlessness, LOC) | ||
** Head CT shows lenticular (convex) deformity. | ** Head CT shows lenticular (convex) deformity. | ||
* ] results from tearing of the bridging veins in the ] between the ] and ]. | * ] results from tearing of the bridging veins in the ] between the ] and ]. | ||
** Head CT shows crescent-shaped deformity | ** Head CT shows crescent-shaped deformity | ||
* ], which occur between the arachnoid and ] meningeal layers, like intraparenchymal hemorrhage, can result either from trauma or from ruptures of ]s or ]s. Blood is seen layering into the brain along ] and ]s, or filling ]s (most often the ] because of the presence of the ]s of the ] and their |
* ], which occur between the arachnoid and ] meningeal layers, like intraparenchymal hemorrhage, can result either from trauma or from ruptures of ]s or ]s. Blood is seen layering into the brain along ] and ]s, or filling ]s (most often the ] because of the presence of the ]s of the ] and their branch points within that space). The classic presentation of subarachnoid hemorrhage is the sudden onset of a severe headache (a ]). This can be a very dangerous entity and requires emergent neurosurgical evaluation and sometimes urgent intervention. | ||
==== Cerebral contusion ==== | ==== Cerebral contusion ==== | ||
{{main |
{{main|Cerebral contusion}} | ||
Cerebral contusion is bruising of the brain tissue. The majority of contusions occur in the ] and ]s. Complications may include cerebral ] and transtentorial herniation. The goal of treatment should be to treat the increased ]. The prognosis is guarded. | Cerebral contusion is bruising of the brain tissue. The piamater is not breached in contusion in contrary to lacerations. The majority of contusions occur in the ] and ]s. Complications may include cerebral ] and transtentorial herniation. The goal of treatment should be to treat the increased ]. The prognosis is guarded. | ||
==== Diffuse axonal injury ==== | ==== Diffuse axonal injury ==== | ||
{{main |
{{main|Diffuse axonal injury}} | ||
], or DAI, usually occurs as the result of an ] or deceleration motion, not necessarily an impact. ]s are stretched and damaged when parts of the brain of differing density slide over one another. Prognoses vary widely depending on the extent of damage. | ], or DAI, usually occurs as the result of an ] or deceleration motion, not necessarily an impact. ]s are stretched and damaged when parts of the brain of differing density slide over one another. Prognoses vary widely depending on the extent of the damage. | ||
==== Compound head injury ==== | |||
Overlying scalp laceration and soft tissue disruption in continuity with a skull fracture constitutes "compound head injury", and has higher rates of infection, unfavorable neurologic outcome, delayed seizures, mortality, and duration of hospital stay.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Dhandapani |first1=S |last2=et |first2=al. |title=Validation of a New Clinico-Radiological Grading for Compound Head Injury: Implications on the Prognosis and the Need for Surgical Intervention. |journal=World Neurosurg |date=Nov 2015 |volume=84 |issue=5 |pages=1244–50 |doi=10.1016/j.wneu.2015.05.058 |pmid=26054870 |url=https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wneu.2015.05.058}}</ref> | |||
==Signs and symptoms== | ==Signs and symptoms== | ||
Three categories used for classifying the severity of brain injuries are mild, moderate or severe. | |||
=== Mild brain injuries === | === Mild brain injuries === | ||
Symptoms of a mild brain injury include headaches, |
Symptoms of a mild brain injury include headaches, confusion, ringing ears, fatigue, changes in sleep patterns, mood or behavior. Other symptoms include trouble with memory, concentration, attention or thinking. Mental fatigue is a common debilitating experience and may not be linked by the patient to the original (minor) incident. Narcolepsy and sleep disorders are common misdiagnoses.{{citation needed|date=October 2020}} | ||
=== Moderate/severe brain injuries === | === Moderate/severe brain injuries === | ||
Cognitive symptoms include confusion, |
Cognitive symptoms include confusion, aggression, abnormal behavior, slurred speech, and coma or other disorders of consciousness. Physical symptoms include headaches that do not go away or worsen, vomiting or nausea, convulsions or seizures, abnormal dilation of the eyes, inability to awaken from sleep, weakness in the extremities, and a loss of coordination. In cases of severe brain injuries, the likelihood of areas with permanent ] is great, including ]s, ]s (often, to be specific, ]s), speech or movement problems, and ]. There may also be personality changes. The most severe cases result in ] or even ].<ref name=":5">{{cite journal | vauthors = Meschia JF | title = Traumatic brain injury and stroke | journal = Mayo Clinic Proceedings | volume = 89 | issue = 2 | pages = 142–3 | date = February 2014 | pmid = 24485126 | doi = 10.1016/j.mayocp.2013.12.006 | doi-access = free }}</ref> | ||
=== Symptoms in children === | === Symptoms in children === | ||
Symptoms observed in children include changes in eating habits, persistent irritability or sadness, changes in attention, disrupted sleeping habits, or loss of interest in toys.<ref name=":5" /> | Symptoms observed in children include changes in eating habits, persistent irritability or sadness, changes in attention, disrupted sleeping habits, or loss of interest in toys.<ref name=":5" /> | ||
Presentation varies according to the injury. Some patients with head trauma stabilize and other patients deteriorate. A patient may present with or without ]. Patients with concussion may have a history of seconds to minutes unconsciousness, then normal arousal. Disturbance of vision and equilibrium may also occur. Common symptoms of head injury include ], confusion, drowsiness, personality change, ], ] and ], ] and a ], during which a patient appears conscious only to deteriorate later. |
Presentation varies according to the injury. Some patients with head trauma stabilize and other patients deteriorate. A patient may present with or without ]. Patients with concussion may have a history of seconds to minutes unconsciousness, then normal arousal. Disturbance of vision and equilibrium may also occur. Common symptoms of head injury include ], confusion, drowsiness, personality change, ]s, ] and ], ] and a ], during which a patient appears conscious only to deteriorate later.<ref name=":4">{{cite journal|last1=Atianzar|first1=Kimberly|last2=Casterella|first2=Peter|last3=Zhang|first3=Ming|last4=Sharma|first4=Rahul|last5=Gafoor|first5=Sameer|date=2017|title=Update on the Management of Patent Foramen Ovale in 2017: Indication for Closure and Literature Review|journal=US Cardiology Review|volume=11|issue=2|pages=75|doi=10.15420/usc.2017:18:1|issn=1758-3896|name-list-style=vanc|doi-access=free}}</ref> | ||
Symptoms of skull fracture can include: | Symptoms of skull fracture can include: | ||
* leaking ] (a clear fluid drainage from ], ] or ]) is strongly indicative of ] and the tearing of sheaths surrounding the brain, which can lead to secondary brain ]. | |||
* visible deformity or depression in the head or face; for example a sunken eye can indicate a ]r fracture | |||
* leaking ] (a clear fluid drainage from ], ] or ]) may be and is strongly indicative of ] and the tearing of sheaths surrounding the brain, which can lead to secondary brain ]. | |||
* visible deformity or depression in the head or face; for example a sunken eye can indicate a ] fracture | |||
* an eye that cannot move or is deviated to one side can indicate that a broken facial bone is pinching a ] that innervates eye muscles | * an eye that cannot move or is deviated to one side can indicate that a broken facial bone is pinching a ] that innervates eye muscles | ||
* ] or bruises on the scalp or face. | * ]s or bruises on the scalp or face. | ||
* ], those that occur at the base of the ], are associated with ], a ] bleed over the ], ], and ] ] and ]. | * ]s, those that occur at the base of the ], are associated with ], a ] bleed over the ], ], and ] ] and ]. | ||
Because brain injuries can be life-threatening, even people with apparently slight injuries, with no noticeable signs or complaints, require close observation; They have a chance for severe symptoms later on. The caretakers of those patients with mild trauma who are released from the hospital are frequently advised to rouse the patient several times during the next 12 to 24 hours to assess for worsening symptoms. | Because brain injuries can be life-threatening, even people with apparently slight injuries, with no noticeable signs or complaints, require close observation; They have a chance for severe symptoms later on. The caretakers of those patients with mild trauma who are released from the hospital are frequently advised to rouse the patient several times during the next 12 to 24 hours to assess for worsening symptoms. | ||
The ] (GCS) is a tool for measuring degree of unconsciousness and is thus a useful tool for determining severity of injury. The ] is used in young children. The widely used PECARN Pediatric Head Injury/Trauma Algorithm helps physicians weigh risk-benefit of imaging in a clinical setting given multiple factors about the patient—including mechanism/location of injury, age of patient, and GCS score.<ref name="pmid19758692">{{cite journal | vauthors = Kuppermann N, Holmes JF, Dayan PS, Hoyle JD, Atabaki SM, Holubkov R, Nadel FM, Monroe D, Stanley RM, Borgialli DA, Badawy MK, Schunk JE, Quayle KS, Mahajan P, Lichenstein R, Lillis KA, Tunik MG, Jacobs ES, Callahan JM, Gorelick MH, Glass TF, Lee LK, Bachman MC, Cooper A, Powell EC, Gerardi MJ, Melville KA, Muizelaar JP, Wisner DH, Zuspan SJ, Dean JM, Wootton-Gorges SL | display-authors = 6 | title = Identification of children at very low risk of clinically-important brain injuries after head trauma: a prospective cohort study | journal = Lancet | volume = 374 | issue = 9696 | pages = 1160–70 | date = October 2009 | pmid = 19758692 | doi = 10.1016/S0140-6736(09)61558-0 }}</ref> | The ] (GCS) is a tool for measuring the degree of unconsciousness and is thus a useful tool for determining the severity of the injury. The ] is used in young children. The widely used PECARN Pediatric Head Injury/Trauma Algorithm helps physicians weigh risk-benefit of imaging in a clinical setting given multiple factors about the patient—including mechanism/location of the injury, age of the patient, and GCS score.<ref name="pmid19758692">{{cite journal|author1-link=Nathan Kuppermann | vauthors = Kuppermann N, Holmes JF, Dayan PS, Hoyle JD, Atabaki SM, Holubkov R, Nadel FM, Monroe D, Stanley RM, Borgialli DA, Badawy MK, Schunk JE, Quayle KS, Mahajan P, Lichenstein R, Lillis KA, Tunik MG, Jacobs ES, Callahan JM, Gorelick MH, Glass TF, Lee LK, Bachman MC, Cooper A, Powell EC, Gerardi MJ, Melville KA, Muizelaar JP, Wisner DH, Zuspan SJ, Dean JM, Wootton-Gorges SL | display-authors = 6 | title = Identification of children at very low risk of clinically-important brain injuries after head trauma: a prospective cohort study | journal = Lancet | volume = 374 | issue = 9696 | pages = 1160–70 | date = October 2009 | pmid = 19758692 | doi = 10.1016/S0140-6736(09)61558-0 | s2cid = 43075627 }}</ref> | ||
=== Location of brain damage predicts symptoms === | === Location of brain damage predicts symptoms === | ||
Symptoms of brain injuries can also be influenced by the location of the injury and as a result impairments are specific to the part of the brain affected. Lesion size is correlated with severity, recovery, and comprehension.< |
Symptoms of brain injuries can also be influenced by the location of the injury and as a result, impairments are specific to the part of the brain affected. Lesion size is correlated with severity, recovery, and comprehension.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Traumatic brain injury - Symptoms and causes |url=https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/traumatic-brain-injury/symptoms-causes/syc-20378557 |access-date=2023-06-08 |website=Mayo Clinic |language=en}}</ref> Brain injuries often create impairment or ] that can vary greatly in severity. | ||
Studies show there is a correlation between brain lesion and language, speech, and category-specific disorders. Wernicke's aphasia is associated with ], unknowingly making up words (]), and problems with comprehension. The symptoms of |
Studies show there is a correlation between brain lesion and language, speech, and category-specific disorders. Wernicke's aphasia is associated with ], unknowingly making up words (]), and problems with comprehension. The symptoms of Wernicke's aphasia are caused by damage to the posterior section of the ].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://dnalc.cshl.edu/|title=CSHL DNA Learning Center|website=dnalc.cshl.edu}}</ref><ref>{{cite book | doi=10.1007/978-0-387-79948-3_935 | chapter=Wernicke–Lichtheim Model of Aphasia | title=Encyclopedia of Clinical Neuropsychology | date=2011 | last1=Hux | first1=Karen | pages=2702–2703 | isbn=978-0-387-79947-6 }}</ref> | ||
Damage to the ] typically produces symptoms like omitting functional words (]), sound production changes, ], ], and problems with comprehension and production. |
Damage to the ] typically produces symptoms like omitting functional words (]), sound production changes, ], ], and problems with comprehension and production. Broca's aphasia is indicative of damage to the posterior inferior frontal gyrus of the brain.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Kean|first=Mary Louise | name-list-style = vanc | date = October 2003 |title=Syntactic deficits in aphasia: Was Wernicke right after all? |journal=Brain and Language|volume=87|issue=1|pages=27–28|doi=10.1016/s0093-934x(03)00180-9 |s2cid=54407724 }}</ref> | ||
An impairment following damage to a region of the brain does not necessarily imply that the damaged area is wholly responsible for the cognitive process which is impaired, however. For example, in ], the ability to read is destroyed by a lesion damaging both the left visual field and the connection between the right visual field and the language areas (Broca's area and Wernicke's area). However, this does not mean |
An impairment following damage to a region of the brain does not necessarily imply that the damaged area is wholly responsible for the cognitive process which is impaired, however. For example, in ], the ability to read is destroyed by a lesion damaging both the left visual field and the connection between the right visual field and the language areas (Broca's area and Wernicke's area). However, this does not mean someone with pure alexia is incapable of comprehending speech—merely that there is no connection between their working visual cortex and language areas—as is demonstrated by the fact that pure alexics can still write, speak, and even transcribe letters without understanding their meaning.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Wilkes|first=Kathleen V. | name-list-style = vanc |date= October 1980 |title=More Brain Lesions |journal=Philosophy|volume=55|issue=214|pages=455–470|doi=10.1017/s0031819100049482 |s2cid=170723313 }}</ref> Lesions to the ] often result in ], the inability to distinguish faces and other complex objects from each other.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Corrow SL, Dalrymple KA, Barton JJ | title = Prosopagnosia: current perspectives |journal = Eye and Brain| publisher = Eye Brain | date = 26 September 2016 |volume = 8|pages = 165–175|doi = 10.2147/EB.S92838| pmid = 28539812|pmc = 5398751 | doi-access = free }}</ref>{{medical citation needed|date=November 2017}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=Prosopagnosia |url=https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/prosopagnosia |access-date=2023-06-08 |website=National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke |language=en}}</ref> Lesions in the ] would eliminate the enhanced activation seen in occipital and fusiform visual areas in response to fear with the area intact. Amygdala lesions change the functional pattern of activation to emotional stimuli in regions that are distant from the amygdala.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Diano |first1=Matteo |last2=Tamietto |first2=Marco |last3=Celeghin |first3=Alessia |last4=Weiskrantz |first4=Lawrence |last5=Tatu |first5=Mona-Karina |last6=Bagnis |first6=Arianna |last7=Duca |first7=Sergio |last8=Geminiani |first8=Giuliano |last9=Cauda |first9=Franco |last10=Costa |first10=Tommaso |date=2017-03-27 |title=Dynamic Changes in Amygdala Psychophysiological Connectivity Reveal Distinct Neural Networks for Facial Expressions of Basic Emotions |journal=Scientific Reports |language=en |volume=7 |issue=1 |pages=45260 |doi=10.1038/srep45260 |pmid=28345642 |issn=2045-2322|pmc=5366904 |bibcode=2017NatSR...745260D }}</ref> | ||
Other lesions to the ] have different effects depending on the location of the damage. Lesions to ], for example, can cause ] in different areas of the brain depending on the size of the lesion and location relative to the ].<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Celesia|first=Gastone G. | name-list-style = vanc | date = January 2010 |title=Visual Perception and Awareness |journal=Journal of Psychophysiology|volume=24|issue=2|pages=62–67|doi=10.1027/0269-8803/a000014 }}</ref> Lesions to ] can cause ],<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Jaeger W, Krastel H, Braun S | title = | language = de | journal = Klinische Monatsblätter für Augenheilkunde | volume = 193 | issue = 6 | pages = 627–34 | date = December 1988 | pmid = 3265459 | doi = 10.1055/s-2008-1050309 | s2cid = 260195187 }}</ref> and bilateral lesions to ] can cause the loss of the ability to perceive motion.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Bridge |first1=Holly |last2=Hicks |first2=Stephen L. |last3=Xie |first3=Jingyi |last4=Okell |first4=Thomas W. |last5=Mannan |first5=Sabira |last6=Alexander |first6=Iona |last7=Cowey |first7=Alan |last8=Kennard |first8=Christopher |date=2010-12-01 |title=Visual activation of extra-striate cortex in the absence of V1 activation |journal=Neuropsychologia |language=en |volume=48 |issue=14 |pages=4148–4154 |doi=10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2010.10.022 |pmid=20974160 |issn=0028-3932|pmc=2998000 }}</ref> Lesions to the ] may result in ], an inability to recognize complex objects, smells, or shapes, or ], a loss of perception on the opposite side of the body. | |||
Lesions to the ] often result in ], the inability to distinguish faces and other complex objects from each other.<sup>]'']</sup> Lesions in the ] would eliminate the enhanced activation seen in occipital and fusiform visual areas in response to fear with the area intact. Amygdala lesions change the functional pattern of activation to emotional stimuli in regions that are distant from the amygdala.<sup>]'']</sup> | |||
Other lesions to the ] have different effects depending on the location of the damage. Lesions to ], for example, can cause ] in different areas of the brain depending on the size of the lesion and location relative to the ].<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Celesia|first=Gastone G. | name-list-format = vanc | date = January 2010 |title=Visual Perception and Awareness |journal=Journal of Psychophysiology|volume=24|issue=2|pages=62–67|doi=10.1027/0269-8803/a000014 }}</ref> Lesions to ] can cause ],<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Jaeger W, Krastel H, Braun S | title = | language = de | journal = Klinische Monatsblatter Fur Augenheilkunde | volume = 193 | issue = 6 | pages = 627–34 | date = December 1988 | pmid = 3265459 | doi = 10.1055/s-2008-1050309 }}</ref> and bilateral lesions to ] can cause the loss of the ability to perceive motion.<sup>]'']</sup> Lesions to the ] may result in ], an inability to recognize complex objects, smells, or shapes, or ], a loss of perception on the opposite side of the body. | |||
==Causes== | ==Causes== | ||
Head injuries can be caused by a large variety of reasons. All of these causes can be put into two categories used to classify head injuries; those that occur from impact (blows) and those that occur from shaking.<ref>{{cite book | |
Head injuries can be caused by a large variety of reasons. All of these causes can be put into two categories used to classify head injuries; those that occur from impact (blows) and those that occur from shaking.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Alberts|first1=Jay |last2=Cherian|first2=Neil |title=The Cleveland Clinic Manual of Headache Therapy |chapter=Headaches, Traumatic Brain Injury, and Concussion | name-list-style = vanc |date=2014| doi = 10.1007/978-3-319-04072-1_24 |pages=341–352|publisher=Springer International Publishing|isbn=9783319040714}}</ref> Common causes of head injury due to impact are ], home and occupational accidents, falls, ], and sports related accidents. Head injuries from shaking are most common amongst infants and children.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Åstrand|first1=Ramona|last2=Romner|first2=Bertil |title=Management of Severe Traumatic Brain Injury |chapter=Classification of Head Injury | name-list-style = vanc |date=2012| doi = 10.1007/978-3-642-28126-6_2 |pages=11–16|publisher=Springer Berlin Heidelberg|isbn=9783642281259|s2cid=67939538 }}</ref> | ||
According to the United States ], 32% of ] (another, more specific, term for head injuries) are caused by falls, 10% by assaults, 16.5% by being struck by or against something, 17% by motor vehicle accidents, and 21% by other/unknown ways. In addition, the highest rate of injury is among children ages 0–14 and adults age 65 and older.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.alz.org/dementia/traumatic-brain-injury-head-trauma-symptoms.asp|title=Traumatic Brain Injury {{!}} Signs, Symptoms, & Diagnosis|website=www.alz.org|access-date=2018-06-22}}</ref |
According to the United States ], 32% of ] (another, more specific, term for head injuries) are caused by falls, 10% by assaults, 16.5% by being struck by or against something, 17% by motor vehicle accidents, and 21% by other/unknown ways. In addition, the highest rate of injury is among children ages 0–14 and adults age 65 and older.<ref name="alz.org">{{Cite web|url=http://www.alz.org/dementia/traumatic-brain-injury-head-trauma-symptoms.asp|title=Traumatic Brain Injury {{!}} Signs, Symptoms, & Diagnosis|website=www.alz.org|access-date=2018-06-22}}</ref> Brain injuries that include brain damage can also be brought on by exposure to toxic chemicals, lack of oxygen, tumors, infections, and stroke.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.traumaticbraininjury.com/|title=TBI {{!}} Traumatic Brain Injury {{!}} Traumatic Brain Injury Resources {{!}} Brain Injury Support {{!}} Brain Injury Information|website=www.traumaticbraininjury.com|language=en-US|access-date=2018-06-22}}</ref> Possible causes of widespread brain damage include birth hypoxia, prolonged ] (shortage of ]), ]ing by ]s (including ]), ], and ]. ] can increase intracranial pressure, causing brain damage. | ||
== Diagnosis == | == Diagnosis == | ||
{{see also|Head injury criterion}} | {{see also|Head injury criterion}} | ||
There are a few methods used to diagnose a head injury. A healthcare professional will ask the patient questions revolving around the injury as well as questions to help determine in what ways the injury is affecting function. In addition to this hearing, vision, balance, and reflexes may also be assessed as an indicator of the severity of the injury.<ref |
There are a few methods used to diagnose a head injury. A healthcare professional will ask the patient questions revolving around the injury as well as questions to help determine in what ways the injury is affecting function. In addition to this hearing, vision, balance, and reflexes may also be assessed as an indicator of the severity of the injury.<ref name="alz.org"/> A non-contrast CT of the head should be performed immediately in all those who have sustained a moderate or severe head injury. A CT is an imaging technique that allows physicians to see inside the head without surgery in order to determine if there is internal bleeding or swelling in the brain.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nice.org.uk/|title=NICE|website=NICE|language=en-GB|access-date=2018-06-22}}</ref> Computed tomography (CT) has become the diagnostic modality of choice for head trauma due to its accuracy, reliability, safety, and wide availability. The changes in microcirculation, impaired auto-regulation, cerebral edema, and axonal injury start as soon as a head injury occurs and manifest as clinical, biochemical, and radiological changes.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Cross-sectional imaging made easy|last=Hariqbal|first=Singh | name-list-style = vanc |date=2011|publisher=Jaypee Brothers Medical Pub|isbn=9789350251959|location=New Delhi|oclc=913381359}}</ref> An MRI may also be conducted to determine if someone has abnormal growths or tumors in the brain or to determine if the patient has had a stroke.<ref>{{cite book | doi=10.1007/978-3-319-56782-2_286-2 | chapter=Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) | title=Encyclopedia of Clinical Neuropsychology | date=2017 | last1=Backhaus | first1=Samantha | pages=1–8 | isbn=978-3-319-56782-2 | s2cid=79447011 }}</ref> | ||
] (GCS) is the most widely used scoring system used to assess the level of severity of a brain injury. This method is based on objective observations of specific traits to determine the severity of a brain injury. It is based on three traits: eye-opening, verbal response, and motor response, which are gauged as described below. | |||
Based on the Glasgow Coma Scale severity is classified as follows: | |||
There are several imaging techniques that can aid in diagnosing and assessing the extent of brain damage, such as ] (CT) scan, ] (MRI), ] (DTI) and ] (MRS), ] (PET), single-photon emission tomography (SPECT). CT scans and MRI are the two techniques widely used and are most effective. CT scans can show brain bleeds, fractures of the skull, fluid build up in the brain that will lead to increased cranial pressure. MRI is able to better to detect smaller injuries, detect damage within the brain, diffuse axonal injury, injuries to the brainstem, posterior fossa, and subtemporal and subfrontal regions. However patients with pacemakers, metallic implants, or other metal within their bodies are unable to have an MRI done. Typically the other imaging techniques are not used in a clinical setting because of the cost, lack of availability. | |||
* severe brain injuries score 3–8, | |||
* moderate brain injuries score 9-12, and | |||
* mild brain injuries score 13–15. | |||
There are several imaging techniques that can aid in diagnosing and assessing the extent of brain damage, including: | |||
* ] (CT) scan | |||
* ] (MRI) | |||
* ] (DTI) and ] (MRS) | |||
* ] (PET) | |||
* single-photon emission tomography (SPECT) | |||
CT scans and MRI are the two techniques widely used and are the most effective. CT scans can show brain bleeds, fractures of the skull, fluid build up in the brain that will lead to increased cranial pressure. MRI is able to better detect smaller injuries, detect damage within the brain, diffuse axonal injury, injuries to the brainstem, posterior fossa, and subtemporal and sub frontal regions. However, patients with pacemakers, metallic implants, or other metal within their bodies are unable to have an MRI done. Typically the other imaging techniques are not used in a clinical setting because of the cost, lack of availability. | |||
==Management== | ==Management== | ||
{{see also| |
{{see also|Traumatic brain injury#Treatment|Acquired brain injury#Treatment}} | ||
Most head injuries are of a benign nature and require no treatment beyond ] such as acetaminophen. Steroidal painkillers such as ibuprofen are avoided since they could make any potential bleeding worse. Due to the high risk of even minor brain injuries, close monitoring for potential complications such as ]. If the brain has been severely damaged by trauma, neurosurgical evaluation may be useful. Treatments may involve controlling elevated intracranial pressure. This can include sedation, paralytics, cerebrospinal fluid diversion. Second line alternatives include decompressive craniectomy (Jagannathan et al. found a net 65% favorable outcomes rate in pediatric patients), barbiturate coma, hypertonic saline and hypothermia. Although all of these methods have potential benefits, there has been no randomized study that has shown unequivocal benefit. | |||
Most head injuries are of a benign nature and require no treatment beyond ] such as acetaminophen. Non-steroidal painkillers such as ibuprofen are avoided since they could make any potential bleeding worse. Due to the high risk of even minor brain injuries, close monitoring for potential complications such as ]. If the brain has been severely damaged by trauma, a neurosurgical evaluation may be useful. Treatments may involve controlling elevated intracranial pressure. This can include sedation, paralytics, cerebrospinal fluid diversion. Second-line alternatives include decompressive craniectomy (Jagannathan et al. found a net 65% favorable outcomes rate in pediatric patients), barbiturate coma, hypertonic saline, and hypothermia. Although all of these methods have potential benefits, there has been no randomized study that has shown unequivocal benefit. | |||
Clinicians will often consult clinical decision support rules such as the Canadian CT Head Rule or the New Orleans/Charity Head injury/Trauma Rule to decide if the patient needs further imaging studies or observation only. Rules like these are usually studied in depth by multiple research groups with large patient cohorts to ensure accuracy given the risk of adverse events in this area.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Stiell IG, Clement CM, Rowe BH, Schull MJ, Brison R, Cass D, Eisenhauer MA, McKnight RD, Bandiera G, Holroyd B, Lee JS, Dreyer J, Worthington JR, Reardon M, Greenberg G, Lesiuk H, MacPhail I, Wells GA | title = Comparison of the Canadian CT Head Rule and the New Orleans Criteria in patients with minor head injury | journal = JAMA | volume = 294 | issue = 12 | pages = 1511–8 | date = September 2005 | pmid = 16189364 | doi = 10.1001/jama.294.12.1511 | doi-access = }}</ref> | |||
There is a subspecialty certification available for brain injury medicine that signifies expertise in the treatment of brain injury.<ref>{{cite web |title=Subspeciality Certification in Brain Injury Medicine |url=https://www.brainline.org/article/subspeciality-certification-brain-injury-medicine |website=Brainline |publisher=WETA Public Television |access-date=5 November 2019 |date=5 December 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Brain Injury Medicine |url=https://www.abpmr.org/Subspecialties/BIM |website=American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation |access-date=5 November 2019}}</ref> | |||
Clinicians will often consult clinical decision support rules such as the Canadian CT Head Rule or the New Orleans/Charity Head injury/Trauma Rule to decide if the patient needs further imaging studies or observation only. Rules like these are usually studied in depth by multiple research groups with large patient cohorts to ensure accuracy given the risk of adverse events in this area.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Stiell IG, Clement CM, Rowe BH, Schull MJ, Brison R, Cass D, Eisenhauer MA, McKnight RD, Bandiera G, Holroyd B, Lee JS, Dreyer J, Worthington JR, Reardon M, Greenberg G, Lesiuk H, MacPhail I, Wells GA | title = Comparison of the Canadian CT Head Rule and the New Orleans Criteria in patients with minor head injury | journal = JAMA | volume = 294 | issue = 12 | pages = 1511–8 | date = September 2005 | pmid = 16189364 | doi = 10.1001/jama.294.12.1511 }}</ref> | |||
==Prognosis== | ==Prognosis== | ||
Prognosis, or the likely progress of a disorder, depends on the nature, location, and cause of the brain damage (see ], ], ]). | |||
In children with uncomplicated minor head injuries the risk of |
In children with uncomplicated minor head injuries the risk of intracranial bleeding over the next year is rare at 2 cases per 1 million.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Hamilton M, Mrazik M, Johnson DW | title = Incidence of delayed intracranial hemorrhage in children after uncomplicated minor head injuries | journal = Pediatrics | volume = 126 | issue = 1 | pages = e33–9 | date = July 2010 | pmid = 20566618 | doi = 10.1542/peds.2009-0692 | s2cid = 27724892 }}</ref> In some cases transient neurological disturbances may occur, lasting minutes to hours. Malignant post traumatic cerebral swelling can develop unexpectedly in stable patients after an injury, as can post-traumatic ]s. Recovery in children with neurologic deficits will vary. Children with neurologic deficits who improve daily are more likely to recover, while those who are vegetative for months are less likely to improve. Most patients without deficits have full recovery. However, persons who sustain head trauma resulting in unconsciousness for an hour or more have twice the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease later in life.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Small GW | title = What we need to know about age-related memory loss | journal = BMJ | volume = 324 | issue = 7352 | pages = 1502–5 | date = June 2002 | pmid = 12077041 | pmc = 1123445 | doi = 10.1136/bmj.324.7352.1502 }}</ref> | ||
Head injury may be associated with a neck injury. Bruises on the back or neck, neck pain, or pain radiating to the arms are signs of cervical spine injury and merit spinal immobilization via application of a ] and possibly a |
Head injury may be associated with a neck injury. Bruises on the back or neck, neck pain, or pain radiating to the arms are signs of cervical spine injury and merit spinal immobilization via application of a ] and possibly a longboard. If the ] is normal this is reassuring. Reassessment is needed if there is a worsening ], ], one-sided weakness, or has persistent vomiting. | ||
To combat overuse of |
To combat overuse of head CT scans yielding negative intracranial hemorrhage results, which unnecessarily exposes patients to radiation and increase time in the hospital and cost of the visit, multiple clinical decision support rules have been developed to help clinicians weigh the option to scan a patient with a head injury. Among these are the Canadian Head CT rule, the PECARN Head Injury/Trauma Algorithm, and the New Orleans/Charity Head Injury/Trauma Rule all help clinicians make these decisions using easily obtained information and noninvasive practices. | ||
Brain injuries are very hard to predict in outcome. Many tests and specialists are needed to determine the likelihood of the prognosis. People with minor brain damage can have debilitating side effects; not just severe brain damage has debilitating effects. The side- |
Brain injuries are very hard to predict in the outcome. Many tests and specialists are needed to determine the likelihood of the prognosis. People with minor brain damage can have debilitating side effects; not just severe brain damage has debilitating effects. The side-effects of a brain injury depend on location and the body's response to injury. Even a mild ] can have long term effects that may not resolve. | ||
== History == | == History == | ||
The foundation for understanding human behavior and brain injury can be attributed to the case of ] and the famous case studies by Paul Broca. The first case study on Phineas |
The foundation for understanding human behavior and brain injury can be attributed to the case of ] and the famous case studies by Paul Broca. The first case study on Phineas Gage's head injury is one of the most astonishing brain injuries in history. In 1848, Phineas Gage was paving way for a new railroad line when he encountered an accidental explosion of a tamping iron straight through his frontal lobe. Gage observed to be intellectually unaffected but exemplified post-injury behavioral deficits. These deficits include: becoming sporadic, disrespectful, extremely profane, and gave no regard for other workers. Gage started having seizures in February 1860, dying only four months later on May 21, 1860.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Haas LF | title = Phineas Gage and the science of brain localisation | journal = Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry | volume = 71 | issue = 6 | pages = 761 | date = December 2001 | pmid = 11723197 | pmc = 1737620 | doi = 10.1136/jnnp.71.6.761 }}</ref> | ||
Ten years later, ] examined two patients exhibiting impaired speech due to frontal lobe injuries. |
Ten years later, ] examined two patients exhibiting impaired speech due to frontal lobe injuries. Broca's first patient lacked productive speech. He saw this as an opportunity to address language localization. It wasn't until Leborgne, formally known as "tan", died when Broca confirmed the frontal lobe lesion from an autopsy. The second patient had similar speech impairments, supporting his findings on language localization. The results of both cases became a vital verification of the relationship between speech and the left cerebral hemisphere. The affected areas are known today as ] and Broca's Aphasia.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Dronkers NF, Plaisant O, Iba-Zizen MT, Cabanis EA | title = Paul Broca's historic cases: high resolution MR imaging of the brains of Leborgne and Lelong | journal = Brain | volume = 130 | issue = Pt 5 | pages = 1432–41 | date = May 2007 | pmid = 17405763 | doi = 10.1093/brain/awm042 | doi-access = free }}</ref> | ||
A few years later, a German neuroscientist, ], consulted on a stroke patient. The patient experienced neither speech nor hearing impairments |
A few years later, a German neuroscientist, ], consulted on a stroke patient. The patient experienced neither speech nor hearing impairments but had a few brain deficits. These deficits included: lacking the ability to comprehend what was spoken to him and the words written down. After his death, Wernicke examined his autopsy that found a lesion located in the left temporal region. This area became known as ]. Wernicke later hypothesized the relationship between Wernicke's area and Broca's area, which was proven fact.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Guenther|first=Katja | name-list-style = vanc | date = November 2013 |title= The disappearing lesion: sigmund freud, sensory-motor physiology, and the beginnings of psychoanalysis* |journal=Modern Intellectual History|language=en|volume=10|issue=3|pages=569–601|doi=10.1017/S147924431300022X |s2cid=16372696 |url=https://kops.uni-konstanz.de/bitstream/123456789/35076/1/Guenther_0-351332.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://kops.uni-konstanz.de/bitstream/123456789/35076/1/Guenther_0-351332.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
== Epidemiology == | == Epidemiology == | ||
Head injury is the leading cause of death in many countries.<ref>{{cite book | |
Head injury is the leading cause of death in many countries.<ref>{{cite book |display-authors=3| veditors = Debas HT, Donkor P, Gawande A, Jamison DT, Kruk ME, Mock CN |year = 2015 |title = Essential Surgery; In: Disease Control Priorities | edition = 3rd |volume = 1 |location = Washington, DC |publisher = World Bank |doi=10.1596/978-1-4648-0346-8|pmid = 26740991 |isbn = 978-1-4648-0346-8 |hdl = 10986/21568 |last1 = Debas |first1 = H. T. |last2 = Donkor |first2 = P. |last3 = Gawande |first3 = A. |last4 = Jamison |first4 = D. T. |last5 = Kruk |first5 = M. E. |last6 = Mock |first6 = C. N. }}</ref> | ||
== See also == | == See also == | ||
{{Portal|Medicine|Philosophy|Psychology}} | |||
*] | |||
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*] | |||
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*] | |||
{{div col|colwidth=30em|small=yes}} | |||
*] | |||
* {{Annotated link |Cerebral palsy}} | |||
*] | |||
* {{Annotated link |Encephalopathy}} | |||
*] | |||
* {{Annotated link |Epilepsy}} | |||
* {{Annotated link |Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder}} | |||
* {{Annotated link |Frontal lobe injury}} | |||
* {{Annotated link |Concussion}} | |||
* {{Annotated link |Infinity Walk}} | |||
* {{Annotated link |Lobotomy}} | |||
* {{Annotated link |Myogenesis}} | |||
* {{Annotated link |Nerve injury}} | |||
* {{Annotated link |Neurocognition}} | |||
* {{Annotated link |Neurology}} | |||
* {{Annotated link |Primary and secondary brain injury}} | |||
* {{Annotated link |Rehabilitation (neuropsychology)}} | |||
* {{Annotated link |Synaptogenesis}} | |||
* {{Annotated link |Traumatic brain injury}} | |||
* {{Annotated link |Brain injury}} | |||
* {{Annotated link |Acquired brain injury}} | |||
* {{Annotated link|Neurodegeneration}} | |||
* {{Annotated link |Chronic traumatic encephalopathy}} | |||
{{div col end}} | |||
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== References == | == References == | ||
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== External links == | == External links == | ||
* ] | |||
* | |||
* {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110519201017/http://www.redcross.org.uk/What-we-do/First-aid/First-aid-tips-and-videos/Head-injuries |date=2011-05-19 }} from the British Red Cross | |||
{{Medical resources | {{Medical resources | ||
| DiseasesDB = 5671 |
| DiseasesDB = 5671 | ||
| ICD10 = {{ICD10|S|00|0||00}}{{ICD10|S|09||s|00}} |
| ICD10 = {{ICD10|S|00|0||00}}{{ICD10|S|09||s|00}} | ||
| ICD9 = {{ICD9|800}}-{{ICD9|879}} |
| ICD9 = {{ICD9|800}}-{{ICD9|879}} | ||
| ICDO = |
| ICDO = | ||
| OMIM = |
| OMIM = | ||
| MedlinePlus = |
| MedlinePlus = | ||
| eMedicineSubj = neuro |
| eMedicineSubj = neuro | ||
| eMedicineTopic = 153 |
| eMedicineTopic = 153 | ||
| MeshID = D006259 | | MeshID = D006259 | ||
}} | }} | ||
* The official research journal of the | |||
* | |||
* from the British Red Cross | |||
* information from Headway – the brain injury association | |||
* | |||
* | |||
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Latest revision as of 05:42, 19 November 2024
Serious trauma to the cranium See also: Traumatic brain injury "Head trauma" redirects here. Not to be confused with Psychological trauma.This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources: "Head injury" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (May 2017) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
Head injury | |
---|---|
Other names | Head trauma |
Soldier wounded at the Battle of Antietam on September 17, 1862. | |
Specialty | Neuropathology, Psychiatry, Neurology |
Symptoms | Injury to the brain or skull |
Complications | Hydrocephalus, cerebral edema, cerebral hemorrhage, stroke, coma, nervous system damage, paralysis, death |
Types | Concussion, cerebral contusion, penetrating head injury, basilar skull fracture, traumatic brain injury |
A head injury is any injury that results in trauma to the skull or brain. The terms traumatic brain injury and head injury are often used interchangeably in the medical literature. Because head injuries cover such a broad scope of injuries, there are many causes—including accidents, falls, physical assault, or traffic accidents—that can cause head injuries.
The number of new cases is 1.7 million in the United States each year, with about 3% of these incidents leading to death. Adults have head injuries more frequently than any age group resulting from falls, motor vehicle crashes, colliding or being struck by an object, or assaults. Children, however, may experience head injuries from accidental falls or intentional causes (such as being struck or shaken) leading to hospitalization. Acquired brain injury (ABI) is a term used to differentiate brain injuries occurring after birth from injury, from a genetic disorder, or from a congenital disorder.
Unlike a broken bone where trauma to the body is obvious, head trauma can sometimes be conspicuous or inconspicuous. In the case of an open head injury, the skull is cracked and broken by an object that makes contact with the brain. This leads to bleeding. Other obvious symptoms can be neurological in nature. The person may become sleepy, behave abnormally, lose consciousness, vomit, develop a severe headache, have mismatched pupil sizes, and/or be unable to move certain parts of the body. While these symptoms happen immediately after a head injury occurs, many problems can develop later in life. Alzheimer's disease, for example, is much more likely to develop in a person who has experienced a head injury.
Brain damage, which is the destruction or degeneration of brain cells, is a common occurrence in those who experience a head injury. Neurotoxicity is another cause of brain damage that typically refers to selective, chemically induced neuron/brain damage.
Classification
Head injuries include both injuries to the brain and those to other parts of the head, such as the scalp and skull. Head injuries can be closed or open. A closed (non-missile) head injury is where the dura mater remains intact. The skull can be fractured, but not necessarily. A penetrating head injury occurs when an object pierces the skull and breaches the dura mater. Brain injuries may be diffuse, occurring over a wide area, or focal, located in a small, specific area. A head injury may cause skull fracture, which may or may not be associated with injury to the brain. Some patients may have linear or depressed skull fractures. If intracranial hemorrhage occurs, a hematoma within the skull can put pressure on the brain. Types of intracranial hemorrhage include subdural, subarachnoid, extradural, and intraparenchymal hematoma. Craniotomy surgeries are used in these cases to lessen the pressure by draining off the blood.
Brain injury can occur at the site of impact, but can also be at the opposite side of the skull due to a contrecoup effect (the impact to the head can cause the brain to move within the skull, causing the brain to impact the interior of the skull opposite the head-impact). While impact on the brain at the same site of injury to the skull is the coup effect. If the impact causes the head to move, the injury may be worsened, because the brain may ricochet inside the skull causing additional impacts, or the brain may stay relatively still (due to inertia) but be hit by the moving skull (both are contrecoup injuries).
Specific problems after head injury can include
- Skull fracture
- Lacerations to the scalp and resulting hemorrhage of the skin
- Traumatic subdural hematoma, a bleeding below the dura mater which may develop slowly
- Traumatic extradural, or epidural hematoma, bleeding between the dura mater and the skull
- Traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage
- Cerebral contusion, a bruise of the brain
- Concussion, a loss of function due to trauma
- Dementia pugilistica, or "punch-drunk syndrome", caused by repetitive head injuries, for example in boxing or other contact sports
- A severe injury may lead to a coma or death
- Shaken baby syndrome – a form of child abuse
Concussion
Main articles: Concussion and Pediatric concussionA concussion is a form of a mild traumatic brain injury (TBI). This injury is a result due to a blow to the head that could make the person's physical, cognitive, and emotional behaviors irregular. Symptoms may include clumsiness, fatigue, confusion, nausea, blurry vision, headaches, and others. Mild concussions are associated with sequelae. Severity is measured using various concussion grading systems.
A slightly greater injury is associated with both anterograde and retrograde amnesia (inability to remember events before or after the injury). The amount of time that the amnesia is present correlates with the severity of the injury. In all cases, the patients develop post concussion syndrome, which includes memory problems, dizziness, tiredness, sickness and depression. Cerebral concussion is the most common head injury seen in children.
Intracranial bleeding
Main article: Intracranial hemorrhageTypes of intracranial hemorrhage are roughly grouped into intra-axial and extra-axial. The hemorrhage is considered a focal brain injury; that is, it occurs in a localized spot rather than causing diffuse damage over a wider area.
Intra-axial bleeding
Main article: cerebral hemorrhageIntra-axial hemorrhage is bleeding within the brain itself, or cerebral hemorrhage. This category includes intraparenchymal hemorrhage, or bleeding within the brain tissue, and intraventricular hemorrhage, bleeding within the brain's ventricles (particularly of premature infants). Intra-axial hemorrhages are more dangerous and harder to treat than extra-axial bleeds.
Extra-axial bleeding
Compared quality | Epidural | Subdural |
---|---|---|
Location | Between the skull and the inner meningeal layer of the dura mater or between outer endosteal and inner meningeal layer of dura mater | Between the meningeal layers of dura mater and the Arachnoid mater |
Involved vessel | Temperoparietal locus (most likely) – Middle meningeal artery Frontal locus – anterior ethmoidal artery Occipital locus – transverse or sigmoid sinuses Vertex locus – superior sagittal sinus |
Bridging veins |
Symptoms (depending on the severity) | Lucid interval followed by unconsciousness | Gradually increasing headache and confusion |
CT scan appearance | Biconvex lens | Crescent-shaped |
Extra-axial hemorrhage, bleeding that occurs within the skull but outside of the brain tissue, falls into three subtypes:
- Epidural hemorrhage (extradural hemorrhage) which occur between the dura mater (the outermost meninx) and the skull, is caused by trauma. It may result from laceration of an artery, most commonly the middle meningeal artery. This is a very dangerous type of injury because the bleed is from a high-pressure system and deadly increases in intracranial pressure can result rapidly. However, it is the least common type of meningeal bleeding and is seen in 1% to 3% cases of head injury.
- Patients have a loss of consciousness (LOC), then a lucid interval, then sudden deterioration (vomiting, restlessness, LOC)
- Head CT shows lenticular (convex) deformity.
- Subdural hemorrhage results from tearing of the bridging veins in the subdural space between the dura and arachnoid mater.
- Head CT shows crescent-shaped deformity
- Subarachnoid hemorrhage, which occur between the arachnoid and pia meningeal layers, like intraparenchymal hemorrhage, can result either from trauma or from ruptures of aneurysms or arteriovenous malformations. Blood is seen layering into the brain along sulci and fissures, or filling cisterns (most often the suprasellar cistern because of the presence of the vessels of the circle of Willis and their branch points within that space). The classic presentation of subarachnoid hemorrhage is the sudden onset of a severe headache (a thunderclap headache). This can be a very dangerous entity and requires emergent neurosurgical evaluation and sometimes urgent intervention.
Cerebral contusion
Main article: Cerebral contusionCerebral contusion is bruising of the brain tissue. The piamater is not breached in contusion in contrary to lacerations. The majority of contusions occur in the frontal and temporal lobes. Complications may include cerebral edema and transtentorial herniation. The goal of treatment should be to treat the increased intracranial pressure. The prognosis is guarded.
Diffuse axonal injury
Main article: Diffuse axonal injuryDiffuse axonal injury, or DAI, usually occurs as the result of an acceleration or deceleration motion, not necessarily an impact. Axons are stretched and damaged when parts of the brain of differing density slide over one another. Prognoses vary widely depending on the extent of the damage.
Compound head injury
Overlying scalp laceration and soft tissue disruption in continuity with a skull fracture constitutes "compound head injury", and has higher rates of infection, unfavorable neurologic outcome, delayed seizures, mortality, and duration of hospital stay.
Signs and symptoms
Three categories used for classifying the severity of brain injuries are mild, moderate or severe.
Mild brain injuries
Symptoms of a mild brain injury include headaches, confusion, ringing ears, fatigue, changes in sleep patterns, mood or behavior. Other symptoms include trouble with memory, concentration, attention or thinking. Mental fatigue is a common debilitating experience and may not be linked by the patient to the original (minor) incident. Narcolepsy and sleep disorders are common misdiagnoses.
Moderate/severe brain injuries
Cognitive symptoms include confusion, aggression, abnormal behavior, slurred speech, and coma or other disorders of consciousness. Physical symptoms include headaches that do not go away or worsen, vomiting or nausea, convulsions or seizures, abnormal dilation of the eyes, inability to awaken from sleep, weakness in the extremities, and a loss of coordination. In cases of severe brain injuries, the likelihood of areas with permanent disability is great, including neurocognitive deficits, delusions (often, to be specific, monothematic delusions), speech or movement problems, and intellectual disability. There may also be personality changes. The most severe cases result in coma or even persistent vegetative state.
Symptoms in children
Symptoms observed in children include changes in eating habits, persistent irritability or sadness, changes in attention, disrupted sleeping habits, or loss of interest in toys.
Presentation varies according to the injury. Some patients with head trauma stabilize and other patients deteriorate. A patient may present with or without neurological deficit. Patients with concussion may have a history of seconds to minutes unconsciousness, then normal arousal. Disturbance of vision and equilibrium may also occur. Common symptoms of head injury include coma, confusion, drowsiness, personality change, seizures, nausea and vomiting, headache and a lucid interval, during which a patient appears conscious only to deteriorate later.
Symptoms of skull fracture can include:
- leaking cerebrospinal fluid (a clear fluid drainage from nose, mouth or ear) is strongly indicative of basilar skull fracture and the tearing of sheaths surrounding the brain, which can lead to secondary brain infection.
- visible deformity or depression in the head or face; for example a sunken eye can indicate a maxillar fracture
- an eye that cannot move or is deviated to one side can indicate that a broken facial bone is pinching a nerve that innervates eye muscles
- wounds or bruises on the scalp or face.
- Basilar skull fractures, those that occur at the base of the skull, are associated with Battle's sign, a subcutaneous bleed over the mastoid, hemotympanum, and cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea and otorrhea.
Because brain injuries can be life-threatening, even people with apparently slight injuries, with no noticeable signs or complaints, require close observation; They have a chance for severe symptoms later on. The caretakers of those patients with mild trauma who are released from the hospital are frequently advised to rouse the patient several times during the next 12 to 24 hours to assess for worsening symptoms.
The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) is a tool for measuring the degree of unconsciousness and is thus a useful tool for determining the severity of the injury. The Pediatric Glasgow Coma Scale is used in young children. The widely used PECARN Pediatric Head Injury/Trauma Algorithm helps physicians weigh risk-benefit of imaging in a clinical setting given multiple factors about the patient—including mechanism/location of the injury, age of the patient, and GCS score.
Location of brain damage predicts symptoms
Symptoms of brain injuries can also be influenced by the location of the injury and as a result, impairments are specific to the part of the brain affected. Lesion size is correlated with severity, recovery, and comprehension. Brain injuries often create impairment or disability that can vary greatly in severity.
Studies show there is a correlation between brain lesion and language, speech, and category-specific disorders. Wernicke's aphasia is associated with anomia, unknowingly making up words (neologisms), and problems with comprehension. The symptoms of Wernicke's aphasia are caused by damage to the posterior section of the superior temporal gyrus.
Damage to the Broca's area typically produces symptoms like omitting functional words (agrammatism), sound production changes, dyslexia, dysgraphia, and problems with comprehension and production. Broca's aphasia is indicative of damage to the posterior inferior frontal gyrus of the brain.
An impairment following damage to a region of the brain does not necessarily imply that the damaged area is wholly responsible for the cognitive process which is impaired, however. For example, in pure alexia, the ability to read is destroyed by a lesion damaging both the left visual field and the connection between the right visual field and the language areas (Broca's area and Wernicke's area). However, this does not mean someone with pure alexia is incapable of comprehending speech—merely that there is no connection between their working visual cortex and language areas—as is demonstrated by the fact that pure alexics can still write, speak, and even transcribe letters without understanding their meaning. Lesions to the fusiform gyrus often result in prosopagnosia, the inability to distinguish faces and other complex objects from each other. Lesions in the amygdala would eliminate the enhanced activation seen in occipital and fusiform visual areas in response to fear with the area intact. Amygdala lesions change the functional pattern of activation to emotional stimuli in regions that are distant from the amygdala.
Other lesions to the visual cortex have different effects depending on the location of the damage. Lesions to V1, for example, can cause blindsight in different areas of the brain depending on the size of the lesion and location relative to the calcarine fissure. Lesions to V4 can cause color-blindness, and bilateral lesions to MT/V5 can cause the loss of the ability to perceive motion. Lesions to the parietal lobes may result in agnosia, an inability to recognize complex objects, smells, or shapes, or amorphosynthesis, a loss of perception on the opposite side of the body.
Causes
Head injuries can be caused by a large variety of reasons. All of these causes can be put into two categories used to classify head injuries; those that occur from impact (blows) and those that occur from shaking. Common causes of head injury due to impact are motor vehicle traffic collisions, home and occupational accidents, falls, assault, and sports related accidents. Head injuries from shaking are most common amongst infants and children.
According to the United States CDC, 32% of traumatic brain injuries (another, more specific, term for head injuries) are caused by falls, 10% by assaults, 16.5% by being struck by or against something, 17% by motor vehicle accidents, and 21% by other/unknown ways. In addition, the highest rate of injury is among children ages 0–14 and adults age 65 and older. Brain injuries that include brain damage can also be brought on by exposure to toxic chemicals, lack of oxygen, tumors, infections, and stroke. Possible causes of widespread brain damage include birth hypoxia, prolonged hypoxia (shortage of oxygen), poisoning by teratogens (including alcohol), infection, and neurological illness. Brain tumors can increase intracranial pressure, causing brain damage.
Diagnosis
See also: Head injury criterionThere are a few methods used to diagnose a head injury. A healthcare professional will ask the patient questions revolving around the injury as well as questions to help determine in what ways the injury is affecting function. In addition to this hearing, vision, balance, and reflexes may also be assessed as an indicator of the severity of the injury. A non-contrast CT of the head should be performed immediately in all those who have sustained a moderate or severe head injury. A CT is an imaging technique that allows physicians to see inside the head without surgery in order to determine if there is internal bleeding or swelling in the brain. Computed tomography (CT) has become the diagnostic modality of choice for head trauma due to its accuracy, reliability, safety, and wide availability. The changes in microcirculation, impaired auto-regulation, cerebral edema, and axonal injury start as soon as a head injury occurs and manifest as clinical, biochemical, and radiological changes. An MRI may also be conducted to determine if someone has abnormal growths or tumors in the brain or to determine if the patient has had a stroke.
Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) is the most widely used scoring system used to assess the level of severity of a brain injury. This method is based on objective observations of specific traits to determine the severity of a brain injury. It is based on three traits: eye-opening, verbal response, and motor response, which are gauged as described below.
Based on the Glasgow Coma Scale severity is classified as follows:
- severe brain injuries score 3–8,
- moderate brain injuries score 9-12, and
- mild brain injuries score 13–15.
There are several imaging techniques that can aid in diagnosing and assessing the extent of brain damage, including:
- computed tomography (CT) scan
- magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS)
- positron emission tomography (PET)
- single-photon emission tomography (SPECT)
CT scans and MRI are the two techniques widely used and are the most effective. CT scans can show brain bleeds, fractures of the skull, fluid build up in the brain that will lead to increased cranial pressure. MRI is able to better detect smaller injuries, detect damage within the brain, diffuse axonal injury, injuries to the brainstem, posterior fossa, and subtemporal and sub frontal regions. However, patients with pacemakers, metallic implants, or other metal within their bodies are unable to have an MRI done. Typically the other imaging techniques are not used in a clinical setting because of the cost, lack of availability.
Management
See also: Traumatic brain injury § Treatment, and Acquired brain injury § TreatmentMost head injuries are of a benign nature and require no treatment beyond analgesics such as acetaminophen. Non-steroidal painkillers such as ibuprofen are avoided since they could make any potential bleeding worse. Due to the high risk of even minor brain injuries, close monitoring for potential complications such as intracranial bleeding. If the brain has been severely damaged by trauma, a neurosurgical evaluation may be useful. Treatments may involve controlling elevated intracranial pressure. This can include sedation, paralytics, cerebrospinal fluid diversion. Second-line alternatives include decompressive craniectomy (Jagannathan et al. found a net 65% favorable outcomes rate in pediatric patients), barbiturate coma, hypertonic saline, and hypothermia. Although all of these methods have potential benefits, there has been no randomized study that has shown unequivocal benefit.
Clinicians will often consult clinical decision support rules such as the Canadian CT Head Rule or the New Orleans/Charity Head injury/Trauma Rule to decide if the patient needs further imaging studies or observation only. Rules like these are usually studied in depth by multiple research groups with large patient cohorts to ensure accuracy given the risk of adverse events in this area.
There is a subspecialty certification available for brain injury medicine that signifies expertise in the treatment of brain injury.
Prognosis
Prognosis, or the likely progress of a disorder, depends on the nature, location, and cause of the brain damage (see Traumatic brain injury, Focal and diffuse brain injury, Primary and secondary brain injury).
In children with uncomplicated minor head injuries the risk of intracranial bleeding over the next year is rare at 2 cases per 1 million. In some cases transient neurological disturbances may occur, lasting minutes to hours. Malignant post traumatic cerebral swelling can develop unexpectedly in stable patients after an injury, as can post-traumatic seizures. Recovery in children with neurologic deficits will vary. Children with neurologic deficits who improve daily are more likely to recover, while those who are vegetative for months are less likely to improve. Most patients without deficits have full recovery. However, persons who sustain head trauma resulting in unconsciousness for an hour or more have twice the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease later in life.
Head injury may be associated with a neck injury. Bruises on the back or neck, neck pain, or pain radiating to the arms are signs of cervical spine injury and merit spinal immobilization via application of a cervical collar and possibly a longboard. If the neurological exam is normal this is reassuring. Reassessment is needed if there is a worsening headache, seizure, one-sided weakness, or has persistent vomiting.
To combat overuse of head CT scans yielding negative intracranial hemorrhage results, which unnecessarily exposes patients to radiation and increase time in the hospital and cost of the visit, multiple clinical decision support rules have been developed to help clinicians weigh the option to scan a patient with a head injury. Among these are the Canadian Head CT rule, the PECARN Head Injury/Trauma Algorithm, and the New Orleans/Charity Head Injury/Trauma Rule all help clinicians make these decisions using easily obtained information and noninvasive practices.
Brain injuries are very hard to predict in the outcome. Many tests and specialists are needed to determine the likelihood of the prognosis. People with minor brain damage can have debilitating side effects; not just severe brain damage has debilitating effects. The side-effects of a brain injury depend on location and the body's response to injury. Even a mild concussion can have long term effects that may not resolve.
History
The foundation for understanding human behavior and brain injury can be attributed to the case of Phineas Gage and the famous case studies by Paul Broca. The first case study on Phineas Gage's head injury is one of the most astonishing brain injuries in history. In 1848, Phineas Gage was paving way for a new railroad line when he encountered an accidental explosion of a tamping iron straight through his frontal lobe. Gage observed to be intellectually unaffected but exemplified post-injury behavioral deficits. These deficits include: becoming sporadic, disrespectful, extremely profane, and gave no regard for other workers. Gage started having seizures in February 1860, dying only four months later on May 21, 1860.
Ten years later, Paul Broca examined two patients exhibiting impaired speech due to frontal lobe injuries. Broca's first patient lacked productive speech. He saw this as an opportunity to address language localization. It wasn't until Leborgne, formally known as "tan", died when Broca confirmed the frontal lobe lesion from an autopsy. The second patient had similar speech impairments, supporting his findings on language localization. The results of both cases became a vital verification of the relationship between speech and the left cerebral hemisphere. The affected areas are known today as Broca's area and Broca's Aphasia.
A few years later, a German neuroscientist, Carl Wernicke, consulted on a stroke patient. The patient experienced neither speech nor hearing impairments but had a few brain deficits. These deficits included: lacking the ability to comprehend what was spoken to him and the words written down. After his death, Wernicke examined his autopsy that found a lesion located in the left temporal region. This area became known as Wernicke's area. Wernicke later hypothesized the relationship between Wernicke's area and Broca's area, which was proven fact.
Epidemiology
Head injury is the leading cause of death in many countries.
See also
- Cerebral palsy – Movement disorders that appear in early childhood
- Encephalopathy – Disorder or disease of the brain
- Epilepsy – Group of neurological disorders causing seizures
- Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder – Group of conditions resulting from maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy
- Frontal lobe injury – Type of brain injury
- Concussion – type of traumatic brain injuryPages displaying wikidata descriptions as a fallback
- Infinity Walk – Therapeutic method for progressively developing coordination
- Lobotomy – Neurosurgical operation
- Myogenesis – Formation of muscular tissue, particularly during embryonic development
- Nerve injury – Damage to nervous tissue
- Neurocognition – Cognitive functions related to a brain region
- Neurology – Medical specialty dealing with disorders of the nervous system
- Primary and secondary brain injury – Medical condition
- Rehabilitation (neuropsychology) – Therapy to regain or improve neurocognitive function that has been lost or diminished
- Synaptogenesis – Formation of neuronal junctions in the nervous system
- Traumatic brain injury – Injury of the brain from an external source
- Brain injury – Destruction or degeneration of brain cells
- Acquired brain injury – Brain damage caused by events after birth
- Neurodegeneration – Central nervous system diseasePages displaying short descriptions of redirect targets
- Chronic traumatic encephalopathy – Neurodegenerative disease caused by head injury
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External links
- Brain Injury (journal)
- Cochrane Injuries Group: systematic reviews on the prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of traumatic injury
- First aid advice for head injuries Archived 2011-05-19 at the Wayback Machine from the British Red Cross
Classification | D |
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Nonmusculoskeletal injuries of head (head injury) and neck | |||||
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Intracranial |
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Extracranial/ facial trauma |
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Either/both |
Trauma | |||||||||
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Pathophysiology |
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General wounds and injuries | |
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Abrasions | |
Blisters | |
Bruises | |
Biting | |
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By region |