Head Injuries--Panel 3

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Abstract
BRAIN INJURY Minimum Criteria for Diagnosis A traumatic injury to the head is of major concern to the individual if there is evidence of brain injury. Trauma to the head causing no loss of consciousness and no evidence of focal brain injury may be inconsequential, even if there is evidence of a linear or depressed skull fracture. The minimum criterion for brain injury following head trauma is: (1) loss of consciousness (concussion), even if lasting only several seconds; (2) evidence of a neurologic deficit resulting from the trauma, such as weakness or aphasia; or (3) evidence of focal brain damage demonstrated on examination by a physician, or demonstrated by special diagnostic tests such as computerized tomography (CT) scan.1.2 Closed Brain Injury The most common cause of closed head injury is sudden deceleration, which occurs when the moving head is suddenly stopped when it strikes an object. Closed head injuries