A traumatic brain injury is usually the result of a sudden, violent blow to the head. Such a blow can launch the brain on a collision course with the inside of the skull. The skull itself can often withstand a forceful external impact without fracturing. The result — an injured brain inside an intact skull — is known as a closed-head injury.
A brain injury may also occur when a projectile, such as a bullet, rock or fragment of a fractured skull, actually penetrates the brain. This type of injury is far less common than is the closed-head variety.
The severity of brain injuries can vary greatly, depending on the part of the brain affected and the extent of the damage. A mild brain injury may cause temporary confusion and headache, but a serious one can be fatal.
About 1.4 million Americans sustain a traumatic brain injury each year. Luckily, more than 75 percent of these injuries are mild concussions. But even minor brain injuries can cause long-term problems.
IMS's Brain Injury Center treats with care, a full spectrum of minor and severe head injuries beginning prior to arrival and lasting a lifetime. We also have advanced capabilities for treating traumatically injured neurological patients.
