Complications of head injury

Abstract

Management of head injury is based on two concepts, proper treatment of the acute insult and the prevention and treatment of secondary insults. The head injured patient is subject to both intracranial and extracranial secondary insults. This paper will review complications related to the central nervous system as well as the pulmonary, infectious, gastrointestinal, and psychiatric complications frequently seen following traumatic brain injury. Complications following head trauma lead to significant acute and chronic morbidity and mortality. It is essential that clinicians be able to recognize and treat these complications in order to more effectively manage head trauma, improve outcome, and care for patients.