Geriatric neurotrauma

Abstract

Neurotrauma in the elderly is increasing exponentially. In one state there was an 87 % increase in the incidence of moderate and severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) from 1992 to 2009. In the central nervous system, normal physiologic changes with aging in association with systemic comorbidities result in the need to evaluate, treat, and manage these patients as a unique group in order to optimize outcomes. This chapter focuses on the pathophysiology of TBI in the elderly and provides specific information on the differences in presentation and management considerations compared to that of the younger population