HEAD TRAUMA

INJURY
PRESENTED BY:
George Michael S. Malunes
 Alternative Names

– Brain injury
– Head trauma
– Concussion
 Definition of Head injury

• A head injury is any trauma that leads to

injury of the scalp, skull, or brain. The
injuries can range from a minor bump on
the skull to serious brain injury.
 Head injury is classified as either closed/open

• A closed head injury means you received a

hard blow to the head from striking an
object, but the object did not break the skull.
• An open, or penetrating head injury
means you were hit with an object that
broke the skull and entered the brain.
This usually happens when you move
at high speed, such as going through
the windshield during a car accident. It
can also happen from a gunshot to
the head.
 There are several types of brain injuries,
including:

• Concussion - the most

common type of traumatic
brain injury, in which the
brain is shaken.

A concussion may result when

the head strikes against an
object or is struck by an object.
Types of brain injuries ( Cont. )

• Contusion - which
is a bruise on the
brain
 Types of brain injuries ( Cont. )

• Subarachnoid hemorrhage - is bleeding in

the area between the brain and the thin
tissues that cover the brain.
• Subdural hematoma - is a collection of
blood on the surface of the brain.
Causes:

• Common causes of head injury include:

• traffic accidents
• Falls
• physical assault
• accidents at home, work, outdoors
• while playing sports.
Causes:
• Penetrating trauma - weapons
such as bullets or sharp
instruments (such as knives,
screwdrivers, or ice picks) may
penetrate the skull. Penetrating
injuries often require surgery to
remove debris from the brain
tissue. The initial injury
itself may cause
immediate death, especially if
from a high-energy
weapon such as a bullet.
Causes:
• Blunt head trauma:
These injuries may be
from a direct blow (a
club or large missile)
or from a rapid
deceleration force
(a fall or striking
the windshield
in a car
accident).
Signs and symptoms:
COGNITIVE PHYSICAL EMOTIONAL SLEEP
DIDTURBANCES
• Difficult • Headache • Irritability • Sleeping more
thinking clearly • Nausea or • Sadness than usual
• Feeling vomiting • More • Sleeping less
slowed down • Balance emotional than unusual
• Difficulty problems • Nervousness • Trouble falling
concentrating • Dizziness or anxiety asleep
• Retrograde • Fuzzy vision
amnesia • Feeling tired,
• Anterograde having no
amnesia energy
• Sensitivity in
noise or light
• Slurred
speech
Exams and Tests
Skull x-rays
- The presence of a skull
fracture on x-ray does not
mean there has been an
injury to the brain, and the
absence of a fracture
does not exclude a
brain injury. With or
without a fracture,
the most critical factor
is determining if a brain
injury is
present.
Exams and Tests

CT SCAN
- CT scan is
the test used most
often to evaluate
acute head injuries.
A CT is useful
for identifying
injuries to the
brain itself.
Exams and Tests
• MRI - scans are
rarely used
immediately after
head injuries. The
MRI may be used
later for
additional
information
about a brain
injury.
Exams and Tests
• In some cases of
bleeding in or
around the brain,
Angiography may
be performed to
visualize the
blood vessels.
 Head Injury Treatment
• Minor head injuries may be cared for at home.

– Do not apply ice directly to the skin. Ice should

be applied for 20-30 minutes at a time and can
be repeated about every 2-4 hours as needed. 
–Use a light washcloth as a barrier and
wrap the ice in it. You can also use a bag
of frozen vegetables wrapped in cloth.
This conforms nicely to the shape of the
head.
Head Injury Treatment
– Make your own ice pack by adding 1/3 cup of
70% isopropyl alcohol (the green-colored
kind is best to help identify it later) to 2/3 cup
of water in a zip-lock-style bag (double bag it
to prevent leaking). The mixture turns into
"slush." Freeze this homemade ice pack for
use when needed. Caution: If you have
small children in your home, watch them
carefully when using the ice pack. Drinking
the mixture can be poisonous.
Head Injury Treatment

– Commercially available ice packs use

chemicals to create cold. They are
designed to be kept in a first-aid kit and
need not be kept frozen. These can be
applied directly to the skin, although a
barrier can also be used if bleeding is
present. They must be disposed of
after a single use but can be handy in
case of emergencies