It is the alteration in neurological and/or brain function, caused by the transfer of an external energy that causes moderate physical damage to the central nervous system.
It represents a serious public health problem as it is the most common cause of death and disability in young people.
The lesion is caused by the transfer of an external force or energy, as a result of a fall, accident or direct blow.
Symptoms depend on the type of trauma, the affected area of the brain and the severity of the lesion. They may manifest initially with a loss of consciousness, or with headache, dizziness, dizziness, vomiting, lack of coordination, altered balance, sleep disturbances, changes in behavior or mood, confusion, amnesia and attention or reasoning problems.
Diagnosis is made by clinical history, physical examination and neuroimaging tests.
Treatment should be initiated early to minimize later sequelae. In many cases, it requires admission to an intensive care unit for stabilization of the patient and correction of life-threatening situations.
- J Claude Hemphill, III, MD, MAS. Traumatic brain injury: Epidemiology, classification, and pathophysiology. Uptodate. Nov 08, 2016.
- J Claude Hemphill, III, MD, MAS, Nicholas Phan, MD, FRCSC, FACS. Management of acute severe traumatic brain injury. Uptodate. Feb 10, 2015.
- Feigin VL, Theadom A, Barker-Collo S, et al. Incidence of traumatic brain injury in New Zealand: a population-based study. Lancet Neurol 2013; 12:53.
- Ilie G, Boak A, Adlaf EM, et al. Prevalence and correlates of traumatic brain injuries among adolescents. JAMA 2013; 309:2550.
- Liao CC, Chiu WT, Yeh CC, et al. Risk and outcomes for traumatic brain injury in patients with mental disorders. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2012; 83:1186.
