Traumatic brain injury (tbi)

[Lizzy Liz]

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is physical injury to brain tissue that temporarily or permanently impairs brain function. Diagnosis is suspected clinically and confirmed by imaging (primarily CT). Initial treatment consists of ensuring a reliable airway and maintaining adequate ventilation, oxygenation, and blood pressure. Surgery is often needed in patients with more severe injury to place monitors to track and treat intracranial pressure elevation, decompress the brain if intracranial pressure is increased, or remove intracranial hematomas. In the first few days after the injury, maintaining adequate brain perfusion and oxygenation and preventing complications of altered sensorium are important. Subsequently, many patients require rehabilitation.
In the US, as in much of the world, TBI is a common cause of death and disability.
Causes of TBI include

Falls (especially in older adults and young children)
Motor vehicle crashes and other transportation-related causes (eg, bicycle crashes, collisions with pedestrians)
Assaults
Sports activities (eg, sports-related concussions)