A head injury is major health problem which leads to significant morbidity and mortality in the society. The number of new cases is 1 million in the india each year, with about 3% of these incidents leading to death. In head injury there is trauma to the skull or brain. there are many causes—Including accidents, Falls, Physical assault that can cause head injuries.
Causes
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Falls
- Assaults
- Sports related injuries
Types of head injuries
- Hematoma– ( abnormal clotted blood ) For example – extradural Hematoma, subdural Hematoma, subarachnoid hemorrhage and intraparenchaymal Hematoma
- Concussion / Diffuse axonal injury
- Skull bone fractures
Management -
CT-scan is required to look for fractures, evidence of Hematoma and brain swelling. CT-scan is fast and accurate type of imaging, in rare cases of head injury MRI scan is required.
About 70-80% head injuries are managed with medications but in few cases surgery is required to prevent further damages to the brain, for example –
- Removal of Hematoma
- Elevation of depressed skull fractures and repair skulls.
- To release some of the pressure in the skull.