Investigating head injury (summary)
Updates to Article Attributes
This is a basic article for medical students and non-radiologists
Head injuries are common: in in the US there are 1.3 million traumatic brain injuries per year 1. Common Common causes include falls (children and the elderly), motor vehicle accidents (adults)1, or direct trauma from an object, assault assault or inflicted injuries (paediatric patients).
Assessment
Initial assessment by history of examination is key to accurate diagnosis:
- mechanism of injury?
- GCS?
- been unconscious?
- protecting their airway?
- safe to leave their current environment?
Investigation
In head injury, the most useful investigation is a CT head. This is a non-contrast examination of the head (from vertex to palate) and is useful for the detection of fractures and intracranial haemorrhage.
Making the request
The information about the cause of head injury and clinical state of the patient is is important when making a request. The radiologists wants to hear information to answer these questions:
- does a CT need to be done?
- does it need to be done urgently?
- is the patient safe to come to CT?
Common pathology
Teaching playlist
-<h6>This is a basic article for medical students and non-radiologists</h6><p><strong>Head injuries</strong> are common: in the US there are 1.3 million traumatic brain injuries per year <sup>1</sup>. Common causes include falls (children and the elderly), motor vehicle accidents (adults) <sup>1</sup>, or direct trauma from an object, assault or inflicted injuries (paediatric patients).</p><h4>Assessment</h4><p>Initial assessment by history of examination is key to accurate diagnosis:</p><ul>- +<p><strong>Head injuries</strong> are common: in the US there are 1.3 million traumatic brain injuries per year <sup>1</sup>. Common causes include falls (children and the elderly), motor vehicle accidents (adults) <sup>1</sup>, or direct trauma from an object, assault or inflicted injuries (paediatric patients).</p><h4>Assessment</h4><p>Initial assessment by history of examination is key to accurate diagnosis:</p><ul>
-</ul><h4>Investigation</h4><p>In head injury, the most useful investigation is a CT head. This is a non-contrast examination of the head (from <a title="Vertex" href="/articles/vertex">vertex</a> to palate) and is useful for the detection of fractures and intracranial haemorrhage.</p><h4>Making the request</h4><p>The information about the cause of head injury and clinical state of the patient is important when making a request. The radiologists wants to hear information to answer these questions:</p><ul>- +</ul><h4>Investigation</h4><p>In head injury, the most useful investigation is a CT head. This is a non-contrast examination of the head (from <a href="/articles/vertex">vertex</a> to palate) and is useful for the detection of fractures and intracranial haemorrhage.</p><h4>Making the request</h4><p>The information about the cause of head injury and clinical state of the patient is important when making a request. The radiologists wants to hear information to answer these questions:</p><ul>
-<li><a href="/articles/extradural-haemorrhage-basic">extradural haemorrhage</a></li>- +<li><a href="/articles/extradural-haemorrhage-summary">extradural haemorrhage</a></li>
-</ul><h5>Teaching playlist</h5><ul><li><a href="/play/2357">head injury playlist</a></li></ul>- +</ul><h5>Teaching playlist</h5><ul><li><a href="/play/2357">head injury playlist</a></li></ul>
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