Wikipedia
DiseaseDisorder infobox
Name = Head injury
ICD10 = S00.0–S09.9
ICD9 = 800-879
Head injury is a trauma to the head (anatomy)head, that may or may not include injury to the human brainbrain (see also brain injury). 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 Britain.
Causes - Common causes of head injury are motor vehicle accidenttraffic accidents, home and occupational accidents, falls, and assaults.
Types of Head Injuries - Head injuries include both injuries to the brain and those to other parts of the head, such as the scalp and skull.Head injuries may be closed or open. A closed (non-missile) head injury is one in which the skull is not broken. A penetrating head injury occurs when an object pierces the skull and breaches the dura mater. Brain injuries may be diffuse brain injurydiffuse, occurring over a wide area, or focal, located in a small, specific area. A head injury may cause a skull fracture, which may or may not be associated with injury to the brain. If intracranial hemorrhage, or intracranial hemorrhagebleeding within the brain occurs, a hematoma within the skull can put pressure on the brain. Types of intracranial hematoma include subdural hemorrhagesubdural, subarachnoid hemorrhagesubarachnoid, extradural hematomaextradural, and intraparenchymal hematoma. Craniotomy surgeries are used in these cases to lessen the pressure by draining off blood. Brain injury can be at the site of impact, but can also be at the opposite side of the skull due to a ''contrecoup'' effect. 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 temporary 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
Symptoms - Common symptoms of head injury include those indicitave of traumatic brain injury:comaloss of consciousness, confusion, drowsiness, personality change,seizureseizures, nausea and vomiting, headache,a lucid interval, during which a patient appears conscious only to deteriorate laterSymptoms of skull fracture can include:leaking cerebrospinal fluid (a clear fluid drainage from nose, mouth or ear) may be and is strongly indicative of skull fracturebasilar 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 fracturean eye that cannot move or is deviated to one side can indicate that a broken facial bone is pinching a nerve that innervates eye muscleswounds or bruises on the scalp or face.Because brain injuries can be life threatening, even people with apparently slight injuries, with no noticeable signs or complaints, require close observation. 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 is a tool for measuring degree of unconsciousness and is thus a useful tool for determining severity of injury.
See also - Skull fracture Brain injury Traumatic brain injury Coma Unconsciousness Diffuse brain injury Concussion of the brain Diffuse axonal injury Focal brain injury Brain contusion Intracranial hemorrhage Hematoma Intra-axial hemorrhage Intraparenchymal hemorrhage Intraventricular hemorrhage Extra-axial hemorrhage Subdural hematoma Epidural hematoma Subarachnoid !hemorrhageCategory:Neurotrauma Category:Injuryde:GehirnerschĂ Ľtterungnl:Hersenschudding
|
|
Websites
www.bisga.org
Free information related to brain injury and starting or strengthening a peer-to-peer support group. Free tools and assistance world wide!
http://www.pabia.org/
Brain Injury Resource Center
Offers information, reference materials, and self-help resources. Provides links to support and discussion groups, rehabilitation sites, publications and journals.
http://www.headinjury.com/
Brain Injury Association USA
Promotes awareness, understanding and prevention of brain injury through education, advocacy, research grants and community support services that lead toward reduced incidence and improved outcomes of children and adults with brain injuries.
http://www.biausa.org/
Head Injury Society of New Zealand
Provides basic information about brain injury, professional articles, poetry, stories, a newsletter, chat room, and contacts for local support groups.
http://www.head-injury.org.nz/
Alabama Head Injury Foundation
Provides support, referrals, recreation, resources, advocacy, community education, housing assistance, and information about events and meetings.
http://www.ahif.org/
Waikato Head Injury Society
Provides advocacy, education, referral, counseling and support services to brain injured individuals in New Zealand. Check for meeting and event schedules as well as guides to understanding brain injury, coma, concussion, fatigue, solvent neurotoxicity, and rehabilitation.
http://www.whis.nzl.org/
Saskatoon Free-Net
Community based information network. Provides information and resources.
http://www.sfn.saskatoon.sk.ca/
|
|