Neurotrauma
Any injury to brain or skull can be defined as Traumatic Brain Injury(TBI). TBI can result in physical, cognitive, social, emotional and behavioural symptoms. Outcome of TBI can range from complete recovery to permaent disability or even death.
Every year in India approximately 1.8 to 2 million people sustain TBI out of which approx 1 million people require rehabilitation. Every minute there is an incidence of TBI in India while every 8th minute there is a death due to TBI. Worldwide incidence of TBI is approx 200-400 cases per 1 lac population per year. 60% of TBI are seen in the age group ranging from 20 to 40 years of age.
Causes
Common pathologies
When to contact hospital
Diagnosis
Treatment
The most common cause of TBI in Indai is road traffic accidents. Accidents with bikes are more common than accidents with cars in India. Second most common cause of TBI is falls which is much more common in children than adults. Other causes of TBI are assault, industrial accidents and firearm injuries.
• Skull fractures
• Contusions
• Intracerebral hematomas
• ExtraDural Hematoma
• SubDural Hematoma
• Subarachnoid hemorrhage
• Cerebral Concussions
• Diffuse Axonal Injury
TBI can present with varying features like complete absence of any problem at the site of accidents to death on site of trauma. If a person has sustained any injury to head; even a minor one, we would strongly suggest to contact and get admitted in nearby hospital for further management. Common indications which might require a hospitalisation are as follows
• Headache
• Vomiting
• Lethargy
• Confusion
• Paralysis
• Loss of consciousness/coma
• Convulsion/seizure
• Giddiness and balance problems
• Difficulty in speech
• Body numbness or tingling sensation
• Bleeding from ear/nose
All TBI needs to undergo a systematic and rapid evaluation in emergency room. Quick analysis of history of Trauma is done followed by systemic evalation of entire body with neurological examinations. Routine blood investigations are done. Computed Tomography(CT) of brain is done to look for brain injuries sustained due to trauma.
Based on the clinical condition and CT Brain of the pateint further treatment of the pateint is determined. A lot of patients do well with medical managemnt while some might require surgery based on their brain pathology.