Head Injury – A Medical Emergency
Head injuries range from minor scalp wounds to life-threatening brain injuries. Prompt assessment and appropriate management are essential to prevent secondary brain injury. Dr Simranjeet Singh at Dashvanth Healthcare Delhi provides expert evaluation and neurosurgical management of head injuries.
Classification of Head Injury
By Severity (GCS Score)
- Mild TBI (GCS 13–15): Concussion, brief or no loss of consciousness
- Moderate TBI (GCS 9–12): Loss of consciousness, post-traumatic amnesia
- Severe TBI (GCS ≤8): Prolonged unconsciousness, significant brain injury
Types of Intracranial Injury
- Concussion: Temporary neurological dysfunction without structural injury
- Cerebral Contusion: Bruising of the brain tissue
- Epidural Haematoma: Blood between skull and dura – surgical emergency
- Subdural Haematoma: Blood under the dura – acute, subacute, or chronic
- Diffuse Axonal Injury (DAI): Widespread shearing of nerve fibres
First Aid for Head Injury
- Do NOT move the person (spinal injury precautions)
- Call emergency services immediately
- Control external bleeding with gentle pressure
- Monitor consciousness and breathing
- Do NOT remove any embedded objects
Warning Signs Requiring Emergency CT
- Loss of consciousness
- Post-traumatic amnesia
- Repeated vomiting
- Seizure after injury
- Focal neurological deficit
- Anticoagulant therapy
Surgical Treatment
- Burr hole evacuation: For subdural haematoma
- Craniotomy: For large haematomas, penetrating injuries
- Decompressive Craniectomy: For refractory raised ICP
- ICP Monitoring: In severe head injuries
Emergency neurosurgery at Dashvanth Healthcare Delhi: 011-41670042
