Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)

Main article: Human brain

Injury statistics and causes

According to statistics at the beginning of 2019, traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are the most common type of injury and one of the main causes of disability in Russia. Every year around the world, 200 people out of 10,000 suffer serious brain injuries. The main catalysts for the occurrence of brain injuries in Russia are falls from height, as well as damage sustained during criminal actions. In total, both of these factors account for approximately 65% of cases, about 20% - road accidents, as well as falls from a height.

The main risk group is people, mainly men, aged 21-45 years.

The cause of brain injury can be any strong blow to the head area. Our brain is enclosed in three membranes: soft (or vascular), cobweb and hard and floats in cerebrospinal fluid, and despite all the natural protection, it is not protected from fractures, since bone fragments can cause TBI.

Examples of injuries

​Pochemu when hitting the jaw, a person easily loses consciousness

The jaw is the most protruding part of the head and the impact in it acts as the longest growler of the head turn, shaking the brain with the greatest force due to its stress on the skull wall. Thus, due to a blow to the jaw, a person quite easily loses consciousness for a long or short time. Further actions of a person after taking such a blow are also difficult.

A blow to the jaw, like the most protruding lever of the head, causes a significant concussion to the back of the head, where the head attaches to the neck and where the main center of control of the balance of the body is located - the brainstem and cerebellum. Because of this, a person loses stability from a blow to the jaw quite easily.

The lower jaw at the point of its attachment is in close cooperation with the ear, which, in addition to the hearing organ, is also an equilibrium organ, the functions of which are performed by the inner ear. Thus, a blow to the lower jaw affects the balance of a person, disrupting his normal state.

Brain damage by external objects

Suicide attempt with pneumatic hammer, 2020

X-ray of the skull of Michael Hill, who was hit in the head in 1998 with an 8-inch knife and the knife went straight to the brain, but the lucky one survived. He entered the Guinness Book of Records under the heading "The largest objects removed from the human skull."

Skull injuries

It's not that easy to kill a person. A knife, the length of which exceeds 20 centimeters, entered the face of a Chinese resident by 7 centimeters, but after the operation this person survived and recovered in just a month! Miraculously, the object did not touch vital centers and did not damage large vessels.

Concussion

• Concussion

Abnormal postures in a camatose state

Patients who have fallen into a comatose state often assume an abnormal position.

The figure shows two poses related to the pressure on the brain resulting from the injury.

Each pose not only creates problems for those trying to help patients, but also indicates where the brain injury is located and how great it is.

• The decortication posture, or mummy posture, indicates a problem in the hemispheres of the large brain and midbrain.

• Decerebration posture

is associated with a more serious injury - its score on the motor response scale is significantly lower - and it indicates damage in the brainstem region.

Consequences of injuries

Unfortunately, the consequences of traumatic brain injuries in most cases are very difficult to predict, however, according to doctors, most of them negatively affect human health.

Traumatologist of JSC "Medicine" (clinic of academician Reutberg) Sergey Malykhin in March 2019 told Zdrav.Expert in more detail about the consequences of traumatic brain injuries:

First of all, one should understand the classification of TBI - there are several main varieties: light, medium and heavy, and its character is divided into open and closed. In the first case, the integrity of the intracranial space is broken, and in the second, respectively, it is not (with only one caveat - the bones of the skull can be damaged).

The consequences of injuries can be very different - from the banal headache characteristic of concussions, to the complete loss of ability to work in severe cases of TBI. According to a study by English and Swedish scientists from Oxford, published in 2016 in the scientific journal PLOS Medicine, even childhood head trauma can affect the risk of early death - 1.6% versus 1% in those who did not experience traumatic brain injury at an early age. The causes causing the consequences of this kind are not known for certain, but scientists suggest that damage to brain neurons, inflammation of the brain, as well as changes in the concentration of certain chemicals located in the brain play a role in this.

In addition, it is very important that people understand the severity of a seemingly mild injury like concussion. Despite the fact that recovery from concussion does not last long - only 1-3 months, it can have serious consequences in the form of the development of various brain disorders. Among such consequences, asthenic syndrome (aka chronic fatigue), sleep disorder, vegetative and vascular dystonia, as well as emotional, behavioral and other disorders are often noted. The reason for this may be non-compliance with the treatment and recovery regimen recommended by the doctor - this, as a rule, sins children, as well as young people due to age characteristics and insufficient understanding of the importance of post-traumatic therapy. It should be understood that during the recovery period it is necessary to try to avoid alcohol abuse, since this can lead to the development of epileptic seizures. It should be remembered that even in the case of an updated diagnosis of concussion, the most serious attitude to the problem by both doctors and patients is always required, since the real chances of complete recovery may be lost.

Tools and methods for repairing skull defects

2022: Holographic microscope created that creates detailed images of the brain through the skull

In mid-September 2022, engineers Huazhong University of Science and Technology China unveiled a holographic microscope that creates detailed images of the brain through the skull. Scientists have studied the technique of creating cranial windows, their study demonstrated a new technique that could potentially save lives. Observing the brain without formations fractures in the skull is a new technology for those studying various brain-related diseases. More. here

2021: Scientists create biocompatible plate to correct skull defects

NUST MISIS scientists have developed an innovative hybrid plate for repairing skull defects, which is characterized by increased bioactivity compared to existing analogues. This ensures effective integration of the implant into bone tissue and minimizes the risk of its rejection. The development can find application in neurosurgery and traumatology. The institute announced this on December 15, 2021. Read more here.

Diagnostic tools

Main article: Diagnosis of traumatic brain injuries

World Head Injury Awareness Day

March 20 - World Head Injury Awareness Day is designed to eliminate the illiteracy of the world's population regarding such a serious and important problem.

Skull

Main article: Human skull

See also

Spinal and spinal injuries (PSMT)