Traumatic brain injury

A traumatic brain injury (TBI), also known as an intracranial injury, is an injury to the brain caused by an external force.

Head injury is a broader category that may involve damage to other structures such as the scalp and skull. TBI can result in physical, cognitive, social, emotional and behavioral symptoms, and outcomes can range from complete recovery to permanent disability or death.

This could be caused from falls, crashes or in sport.

Traumatic Brain Injury Media

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  CT scan showing spread of the subdural hematoma (single arrows), midline shift (double arrows)

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  Unequal pupil size is potentially a sign of a serious brain injury.

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  Causes of TBI hospital visits and deaths in the US

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  Ricochet of the brain within the skull may account for the coup-contrecoup phenomenon.

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  MRI scan showing damage due to brain herniation after TBI

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  CT scan showing epidural hematoma (arrow)

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  Demonstration in 1912 of the Warren Safety Helmet, which was designed to protect pilots but has often been wrongly described as a football helmet

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  Protective sports equipment such as helmets can partially protect athletes from head injury.

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  Physical therapy will commonly include muscle strength exercise.

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  The Amsterdam Gait Classification facilitates the assessment of the gait pattern in patients after a traumatic brain injury. It helps to facilitate communication in the interdisciplinary team between those affected, doctors, physiotherapists and orthotists.