News - Mon, 09/30/2024 - 15:42
Head Injuries: When to Seek Emergency Care?
Last update 09/30/2024 - 15:42
A head injury refers to any type of trauma to the skull. The severity of a head injury can range from a mild bump to a traumatic brain injury and skull fracture.
Dr. Francois Pruvot, Emergency and Dr. Sabrina Stefanizzi Debuc, Neurology at Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±Íø, stated: It is important to differentiate if only the scalp is damaged (superficial hematoma, open wound) or if there is a brain injury.
It can be difficult to assess the severity of a head injury by appearance alone. The story of the event and a neurological examination are crucial to avoid missing a brain injury.
Some minor head injuries may cause significant internal bleeding especially if you are taking medication with an impact on your coagulation, while more serious ones may have no consequences . Therefore, it is crucial not to underestimate any head injury, as head trauma can lead to neurological complications, such as:
- Hematoma inside the skull, causing brain compression or contusion, with sometimes life-threatening prognosis
- Neurological sequelae such as motor paralysis, language and/or cognitive disorders
- Chronic headaches, concentration and attention difficulties
- Hearing loss
For anyone suffering from a head injury, it is important to seek emergency care immediately if any of the following signs occur:
- Loss of consciousness after the accident or inability to recall events
- Seizures following the trauma
- Vomiting
- Severe headaches
- Any abnormal behavior
If you have minor symptoms persisting for 1-2 days, it is also advisable to seek medical attention.
During the consultation, the doctor will take the time to gather information on the context of the head injury (kinetics, medical history), and. the time of the onset of your symptoms. They will carry out a neurological examination, checking the pupils, muscle strength, and reflexes, etc.
Depending on the medical examination observation in hospital or at home may also be advised or if a traumatic brain injury is suspected, and imaging diagnostics will be ordered.
The CT scan is the investigation method of choice and provides detailed images that help detect brain hemorrhages, hematomas, and skull lesions. In certain case a brain MRI is ordered to detect different type of brain injuries.
Depending on the results of these investigations, we'll explain the best treatment for your condition. This approach minimizes complications and helps patients recover optimally after trauma.
In the event of concussion, a neurologist or pediatrician is recommended, especially for school-age children.
Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±Íø (Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±Íø) is a trusted provider of emergency care, management, and treatment for head injuries, offering:
- A team of emergency doctors and nurses available 24/7, ready to deliver urgent care and manage patients’ vital functions
- Comprehensive assessments based on clinical examination, laboratory and imaging results
- Highly trained specialists in Neurology, Orthopedics, Radiology, Emergency Medicine, and Laboratory Sciences, trained to European and American standards.
- Advanced medical equipment from world-renowned providers, such as the latest high-end Dräger ventilators, multifunctional infusion pumps (PCA, TCI, PiEB), and centralized oxygen systems, always ready for any emergency situation.
For more information about the Emergency Department services at Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±Íø, please contact our hotline at 024 3574 1111.