Chapter 63
Management of Patients with Neurologic Trauma
Head Injury
- A broad classification that includes injury to the scalp, skull, or brain
- 1.4 million people receive head injuries every year in the U.S.
- The most common cause of death from trauma
- Most common cause of brain trauma is MVA
- Group at highest risk group for brain trauma is males age 15– 24
- Those younger than 5 years and the elderly are also at increased risk
- Prevention
Pathophysiology of Brain Damage
- Primary injury: due to the initial damage
- Contusions, lacerations, damage to blood vessels, acceleration/deceleration injury, or
due to foreign object penetration
- Secondary injury: damage evolves after the initial insult
- Due to cerebral edema, ischemia, or chemical changes associated with the trauma
Pathophysiology of Traumatic Brain Injury