Head trauma

Any type of mild or traumatic injury to brain, skull, or scalp is termed as Head Trauma. It may be either closed or open. A closed injury doesn’t break the skull while an open, or penetrating, head injury breaks the skull and enters into brain.

Common Head Injuries

•  Concussions
• skull fractures
• Scalp wounds
• Hematoma
• Hemorrhage
• Edema
• Sheer injury

Causes of Head Injury
Head injury most commonly occurs due to a blow to the head or due to shaking (especially in infants). The major causes of blow to the head include the following:

• Accidents
• Fall from height
• Hit with an object
• Hitting the ground
• Physical assault
• Sports injury

Diagnosis of Head Injury
In some cases, a doctor may be able to diagnose head injury on physical and neurological examination of the patient. But to diagnose the extent and exact nature of the injury, following diagnostic tests are performed:

• X-rays
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRIs)
• Computerized tomography scan (CT or CAT scan)