Management of Severe TBI-A Review of Recent Literature

INTRODUCTION Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is the result of sudden trauma causing damage to the brain. TBI can occur when the head strongly and abruptly changes direction or contacts an object, or when an object penetrates the skull and brain tissue. (Figure 1 – TBI). CDC estimated that in 2010, TBI, alone and in conjunction with other injuries, accounted for approximately 2.5 million ED visits, hospitalizations, and deaths in the United States. Children aged 0–4 years, adolescents aged 15–19 years, and, most significantly, adults aged 75 years and older are the most likely to sustain a TBI and seek medical care1. The leading cause of non-fatal TBI in the U.S. is falls and the leading cause of TBI-related fatalities is motor vehicle accidents2.