Head injury overview: Difference between revisions
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==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
Head injury is a [[Physical trauma|trauma]] to the [[head (anatomy)|head]], that may or may not include injury to the [[human brain|brain]](see also [[brain injury]]). | Head injury is a [[Physical trauma|trauma]] to the [[head (anatomy)|head]], that may or may not include injury to the [[human brain|brain]](see also [[brain injury]]). | ||
==Causes== | |||
Common causes of head injury are [[motor vehicle accident|traffic accident]]s, home and occupational accidents, falls, and [[assault]]s. Bicycle accidents are also a common cause of head injury-related death and disability, especially among children. | |||
<ref name="NSKC">{{cite web | url=http://www.preventinjury.org/PDFs/BICYCLE_INJURY.pdf | |||
| title=Bicycle injury fact sheet| author=National Safe Kids Campaign (NSKC) | date=2004 | publisher=NSKC | accessdate=2006-12-19 }}</ref> | |||
==Epidemiology and Demographics== | |||
The [[incidence (epidemiology)|incidence]] (number of new cases) of head injury is 300 per 100,000 per year (0.3% of the population), with a mortality of 25 per 100,000 in [[North America]] and 9 per 100,000 in [[United Kingdom|Britain]]. Head trauma is a common cause of childhood hospitalization. | |||
==Natural History, Complications and Prognosis== | |||
Recovery in children with neurologic deficits will vary. Children with neurologic deficits who improve daily are more likely to recover. Children 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| last = Small | |||
| first = Gary W | title = What we need to know about age related memory loss | journal = British Medical Journal | pages = 1502-1507 | date =[[2002-06-22]] | url = http://bmj.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/full/324/7352/1502#B21 | accessdate = 2006-11-05}}</ref> | |||
==Diagnosis== | |||
===Physical Examination=== | |||
The [[Glasgow Coma Scale]] is a tool for measuring degree of unconsciousness and is thus a useful tool for determining severity of injury. The [[Pediatric Glasgow Coma Scale]] is used in young children. | |||
==Treatment== | |||
===Medical Therapy=== | |||
Unfortunately, once the brain has been damaged by trauma, there is no quick fix. However, there are some steps that can be taken to prevent secondary damage. If left untreated many patients with head injury will rapidly develop complications which may lead to death or permanent disability. Prompt medical treatment may prevent the worsening of symptoms and lead to a better outcome. | |||
===Surgery=== | |||
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. | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
{{reflist|2}} | {{reflist|2}} | ||
{{WH}} | {{WH}} | ||
{{WS}} | {{WS}} | ||
[[Category:Neurotrauma]] | |||
[[Category:Injuries]] | |||
Latest revision as of 21:58, 29 July 2020
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Head injury overview On the Web |
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American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Head injury overview |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Head injury is a trauma to the head, that may or may not include injury to the brain(see also brain injury).
Causes
Common causes of head injury are traffic accidents, home and occupational accidents, falls, and assaults. Bicycle accidents are also a common cause of head injury-related death and disability, especially among children. [1]
Epidemiology and Demographics
The incidence (number of new cases) of head injury is 300 per 100,000 per year (0.3% of the population), with a mortality of 25 per 100,000 in North America and 9 per 100,000 in Britain. Head trauma is a common cause of childhood hospitalization.
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
Recovery in children with neurologic deficits will vary. Children with neurologic deficits who improve daily are more likely to recover. Children 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.[2]
Diagnosis
Physical Examination
The Glasgow Coma Scale is a tool for measuring degree of unconsciousness and is thus a useful tool for determining severity of injury. The Pediatric Glasgow Coma Scale is used in young children.
Treatment
Medical Therapy
Unfortunately, once the brain has been damaged by trauma, there is no quick fix. However, there are some steps that can be taken to prevent secondary damage. If left untreated many patients with head injury will rapidly develop complications which may lead to death or permanent disability. Prompt medical treatment may prevent the worsening of symptoms and lead to a better outcome.
Surgery
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.
References
- ↑ National Safe Kids Campaign (NSKC) (2004). "Bicycle injury fact sheet" (PDF). NSKC. Retrieved 2006-12-19.
- ↑ Small, Gary W (2002-06-22). "What we need to know about age related memory loss". British Medical Journal: 1502–1507. Retrieved 2006-11-05. Check date values in:
|date=(help)