Traumatic Brain Injury in the Military

Abstract

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a devastating and extraordinarily expensive entity. It is becoming increasingly burdensome in the military setting with societal costs of managing the sequelae of TBI running into the billions of dollars (US$) each year. Increasing awareness among non-neurosurgical medical personnel of the pathophysiology of TBI and rapid and appropriate assessment, triage and treatment will increase the likelihood of a better outcome in any given head injured patient. Careful attention to prevention of secondary injury is vital if further decline following the initial insult is to be achieved. Early and repeated neurological assessment, and aggressive management of intracranial hypertension and disorders affecting airway and cardiorespiratory systems are the mainstay of managing moderate to severe TBI. This management may involve medical and surgical options and often requires battlefield assessment prior to aeromedical evacuation. The unique profile and epidemiology of TBI in the military, necessitates ongoing research into primary prevention and appropriate, cost-effective means of assessing and treating these often debilitating injuries. Improvements in the prevention and care of these individuals will lead to enormous individual and societal gains.