Traumatic brain injury history and symptoms

Jump to navigation Jump to search

Traumatic brain injury Microchapters

Home

Patient Information

Overview

Historical Perspective

Classification

Pathophysiology

Causes

Differentiating Traumatic Brain Injury from other Diseases

Epidemiology and Demographics

Risk Factors

Screening

Natural History, Complications and Prognosis

Neurocognitive Disorder due to Traumatic Brain Injury

Diagnosis

Diagnostic study of choice

History and Symptoms

Physical Examination

Laboratory Findings

Electrocardiogram

X Ray

Echocardiography and Ultrasound

CT

MRI

Other Imaging Findings

Other Diagnostic Studies

Treatment

Medical Therapy

Interventions

Surgery

Primary Prevention

Secondary Prevention

Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy

Future or Investigational Therapies

Case Studies

Case #1

Traumatic brain injury history and symptoms On the Web

Most recent articles

Most cited articles

Review articles

CME Programs

Powerpoint slides

Images

American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Traumatic brain injury history and symptoms

All Images
X-rays
Echo & Ultrasound
CT Images
MRI

Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov

US National Guidelines Clearinghouse

NICE Guidance

FDA on Traumatic brain injury history and symptoms

CDC on Traumatic brain injury history and symptoms

Traumatic brain injury history and symptoms in the news

Blogs on Traumatic brain injury history and symptoms

Directions to Hospitals Treating Traumatic brain injury

Risk calculators and risk factors for Traumatic brain injury history and symptoms

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Joanna Ekabua, M.D. [2]

Overview

The symptoms of TBI are diverse and can range from an asymptomatic mild TBI to instant death. The wide spectrum of the disease makes it possible to present in several different ways. Here in this section, we discuss a few important historical findings and symptoms of the TBI. For the purposes of this discussion, we will only be referring to symptomatic TBI.

History and Symptoms

The most important information to obtain in the history of any TBI patient is the nature of the injury, the evolution and the progression of symptoms.


With mild TBI, the patient may remain conscious or may lose consciousness for a few seconds or minutes. The person may also feel dazed or not like him- or herself for several days or weeks after the initial injury. Other symptoms include:

With moderate or severe TBI, the patient may show these same symptoms, but may also have:

  • Loss of consciousness
  • Personality change
  • A severe, persistent, or worsening headache
  • Repeated vomiting or nausea
  • Seizures
  • Inability to awaken
  • Dilation (widening) of one or both pupils
  • Slurred speech
  • Weakness or numbness in the extremities
  • Loss of coordination
  • Increased confusion, restlessness, or agitation
  • Vomiting and neurological deficit (e.g. weakness in a limb) together are important indicators of prognosis and their presence may warrant early CT scanning and neurosurgical intervention
  • Children with moderate to severe TBI may show some of these symptoms as well as symptoms specific to young children, including:
  • Persistent crying
  • Inability to be consoled
  • Refusal to nurse or eat

References


Template:WikiDoc Sources