Approximately 270,000 people experience a traumatic brain injury every year in the United States. As a result of advances in medical treatment, more than 85% survive.
More than 5 million Americans have suffered a traumatic brain injury.
TBI costs the United States more than $48 billion a year.
Closed Head Injury - the skull is intact and there is no penetration of the skull. Direct or indirect force to the head can cause this type of injury.
Open Head Injury - penetration of the skull with direct injury to the head.
Diffuse Injury - diffuse
cellular injury to the brain from rapid rotational movement.
This
is often seen in motor vehicle
accidents or shaking injuries.
Contusion - a bruise to a part of the brain. Like a bruise on the body, this is bleeding into the tissue.
Penetrating Trauma - any object that enters the brain. Causes direct injury by impact and pushing skull fragments into the brain.
Secondary Injury - swelling and release of chemicals that promote inflammation and cell injury or death. This causes swelling in the brain which may increase the intracranial pressure and prevent the cerebrospinal fluid from draining out of the skull. This causes further increase in pressure and brain damage.
