Assessment of closed head injury

Overview

Moderate to severe TBI is a major cause of hospitalisation and death in Australia and New Zealand, and the annual numbers of hospitalisations and deaths have not changed during the 2015-20 period (O’Reilly at al, 2023). Moderate to severe TBI is also a major cause of disability, associated with complex long-term problems (Australian Department of Health and Aged Care, 2024) (AusTQIP Collaboration, 2023).

The early assessment of patients suffering head injury is critical to determine the likely severity of the
injury and therefore commence appropriate management strategies and escalation of care as necessary.

The stages of initial hospital management are:

1. Perform Primary survey.
2. Commence resuscitation efforts.
3. Perform Secondary survey.
4. Organise definitive care.

Description

This package is designed to highlight the challenges in traumatic brain injury assessment and familiarise the learner with indications and interpretation of advanced imaging.

Learning objectives

• Assessment – history and examination in suspected traumatic brain injury.
• Investigation – imaging interpretation.
• Management – severe traumatic brain injury.
• Procedural skill – GCS and demonstration of localising signs.

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Further reading