Traumatic brain injury associated with acute spinal cord injury: Risk factors, evaluation and outcomes

Abstract

Rehabilitation after spinal cord injury (SCI) involves learning new skills and adjusting to disability. The patient with SCI relies on intact cognitive processing to master these tasks. Therefore, even a mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) may hinder the rehabilitation effort. Because of the similarities in the mechanisms of SCI and TBI, it is not surprising that a large percentage of patients with SCI have a concomitant TBI, and it is important to identify this complication in these patients. To aid in this identification, we review literature examining the incidence and risk factors of SCI with TBI and also review evaluation tools and outcome studies for this challenging dual diagnosis.