Traumatic brain injury


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Definition

By Mayo Clinic staff

Traumatic brain injury occurs when an external mechanical force causes brain dysfunction.

Traumatic brain injury usually results from a violent blow or jolt to the head or body. An object penetrating the skull, such as a bullet or shattered piece of skull, also can cause traumatic brain injury.

Mild traumatic brain injury may cause temporary dysfunction of brain cells. More serious traumatic brain injury can result in bruising, torn tissues, bleeding and other physical damage to the brain that can result in long-term complications or death.

Symptoms
References
  1. NINDS traumatic brain injury information page. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/tbi/tbi.htm. Accessed July 18, 2012.
  2. Heads up: Facts for physicians about mild traumatic brain injury. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/concussion/headsup/physicians_tool_kit.html. Accessed July 18, 2012.
  3. About brain injury. Brain Injury Association of America. http://www.biausa.org/about-brain-injury.htm. Accessed July 20, 2012.
  4. Traumatic brain injury. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/TraumaticBrainInjury/index.html. Accessed July 20, 2012.
  5. Hemphill JC. Epidemiology, classification, and pathophysiology. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed July 18, 2012.
  6. Barbara Woodward Lips Patient Education Center. Understanding brain injury - Cranial nerve problems after brain injury. Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2001.
  7. Champion HR, et al. Injuries from explosions: physics, biophysics, pathology and required research focus. The Journal of Trauma. 2009;66:1468.
  8. Barbara Woodward Lips Patient Education Center. Understanding brain injury: A guide for the family. Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2008.
  9. Living with brain injury. Brain Injury Association of America. http://www.biausa.org/living-with-brain-injury.htm. Accessed July 23, 2012.
  10. Phan N, et al. Management of acute severe traumatic brain injury. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed July 18, 2012.
  11. Neurological diagnostic tests and procedures. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/misc/diagnostic_tests.htm. Accessed July 24, 2012.
  12. Smith ER, et al. Evaluation and management of elevated intracranial pressure in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed July 24, 2012.
  13. Treatment. Brain Injury Association of America. http://www.biausa.org/brain-injury-treatment.htm. Accessed July 25, 2012.
  14. Brown AW (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Sept. 7, 2012.
DS00552 Oct. 12, 2012

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