The diagnosis of a head injury is made with a physical examination and diagnostic tests. During the examination, the doctor obtains a complete medical history of the patient and family and asks how the injury occurred.
Trauma to the head can cause neurological problems and may require further medical follow up. A diagnostic test that uses invisible electromagnetic energy beams to produce images of internal tissues, bones, and organs onto film.
A diagnostic imaging procedure that uses a combination of X-rays and computer technology to produce horizontal, or axial, images often called slices of the body.
A CT scan shows detailed images of any part of the body, including the bones, muscles, fat, and organs. CT scans are more detailed than general X-rays. Electroencephalogram EEG. A procedure that records the brain's continuous, electrical activity by means of electrodes attached to the scalp. Magnetic resonance imaging MRI. A diagnostic procedure that uses a combination of large magnets, radiofrequencies, and a computer to produce detailed images of organs and structures within the body.
Moderate sedation or assistance with breathing that would require being placed on a breathing machine, or mechanical ventilator or respirator. Treatment is individualized, depending on the extent of the condition and the presence of other injuries. If the patient has a severe head injury, he or she may require monitoring for increased intracranial pressure pressure inside the skull. Head injury may cause the brain to swell. Since the brain is covered by the skull, there is only a small amount of room for it to swell.
This causes pressure inside the skull to increase, which can lead to brain damage. Intracranial pressure is measured in two ways. One way is to place a small hollow tube catheter into the fluid-filled space in the brain ventricle. Other times, a small, hollow device bolt is placed through the skull into the space just between the skull and the brain. Both devices are inserted by the doctor either in the intensive care unit ICU or in the operating room.
The ICP device is then attached to a monitor that gives a constant reading of the pressure inside the skull. If the pressure goes up, it can be treated right away.
While the ICP device is in place the patient will be given medication to stay comfortable. When the swelling has gone down and there is little chance of more swelling, the device will be removed.
The key is to promote a safe environment for children and adults and to prevent head injuries from occurring in the first place.
The use of seat belts when riding in the car and helmets when worn properly for activities, such as bicycle riding, in-line skating, and skateboarding may protect the head from sustaining severe injuries. Persons who suffer a severe brain injury may lose muscle strength, fine motor skills, speech, vision, hearing, or taste function, depending on the brain region involved and the severity of brain damage.
Long- or short-term changes in personality or behavior may also occur. These persons require long-term medical and rehabilitative physical, occupational, or speech therapy management. The type of skull fracture depends on the force of the blow, the location of the impact on the skull, and the shape of the object making impact with the head. A pointier object is more likely to penetrate the skull than a hard, blunt surface, such as the ground.
Different types of fractures lead to differing levels of injury and trauma. See a body map of the skull. Also known as a compound fracture, an open fracture occurs when the skin is broken and the bone emerges. A basal fracture occurs in the floor of the skull: the areas around the eyes, ears, nose, or at the top of the neck, near the spine. Any type of impact to the head can cause a skull fracture.
This includes being hit with an object, falling and hitting the ground, injuring the head in a car accident, or any other type of trauma. Get medical attention if you have any head injury symptoms. In some cases, as in an open or depressed fracture, it may be easy to see that the skull is broken. Less severe symptoms, or those that may not necessarily appear to be related to a skull fracture, may include:.
A doctor may be able to diagnose a fracture by simply performing a physical examination of the head. This requires more specific diagnostic tools. Doctors can use various imaging tests to get a clearer picture of the kind of fracture you have and how far it extends.
X-rays, CTs, and MRIs are typical methods for imaging the body and can help your doctor diagnose skull fractures. An X-ray provides an image of the bone.
Do you like this video? Play Sound. RSC RS. This article is about the status. For the item, see Skull item. Online Manual: Fighting other players. Archived from the original on 4 February A skull fracture can injure the brain. If you have a cut in the skin over a skull fracture, bacteria can enter the skull and may cause an infection. Sometimes, signs of a brain injury do not show up until days or weeks after a skull fracture.
For that reason, you need to watch for severe headaches, or blood or fluid leaking from your nose or ears. Your family can help watch for confusion or other behaviour changes you may have. You heal best when you take good care of yourself. Eat a variety of healthy foods, and don't smoke. Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor or nurse call line if you are having problems.
It's also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take. If you have had a mild concussion, you may have a mild headache or just feel "not quite right. It can take a few days to a few weeks for the symptoms to fade. Occasionally, after a concussion you may feel as if you are not functioning as well as you did before the injury; you may develop new symptoms.
This is called post-concussion syndrome. You may:. It may take several weeks to many months for these symptoms to go away, but you should mention any new symptoms to your doctor. Call anytime you think you may need emergency care. For example, call if:. Call your doctor or nurse call line now or seek immediate medical care if:.
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