Imaging of sequelae of head trauma

Uso de las imágenes diagnósticas en el trauma craneoencefálico

El trauma craneoencefálico es una causa frecuente de consulta en los servicios de urgencias, que conlleva un importante aumento en la morbimortalidad en toda la población, especialmente en los adultos jóvenes, con incremento en los costos en los sistemas de salud y en la salud pública, con mayor frecuencia cuando hay secuelas. El diagnóstico temprano es vital para un tratamiento adecuado, especialmente quirúrgico que puede cambiar y alterar el curso natural en la evolución del trauma con la disminución de secuelas. Por esta razón debemos conocer el uso racional y adecuado de las imágenes diagnósticas en el trauma craneoencefálico. [Ochoa SR. Uso de las imágenes diagnósticas en el trauma craneoencefálico. MedUNAB 2012; 15(1):53-62].

Pneumocephalus Following Severe Head Trauma

It is important to be alert to the possibility of pneumocephalus in patients with head injury. Pneumocephalus is a potentially lethal complication in patients with craniofacial fractures following severe head trauma. A patient presented with intracranial air after he fell down from a height of 4 m. The patient recovered without any neurological deficits after conservative treatment. A time sequence of cerebral CT scans shows how the pneumocephalus developed and finally resolved without surgical intervention. The etiology, diagnosis, treatment and possible complications of this injury are discussed briefly.

Neuroimaging in traumatic brain imaging

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a common and potentially devastating clinical problem. Because prompt proper management of TBI sequelae can significantly alter the clinical course especially within 48 h of the injury, neuroimaging techniques have become an important part of the diagnostic work up of such patients. In the acute setting, these imaging studies can determine the presence and extent of injury and guide surgical planning and minimally invasive interventions. Neuroimaging also can be important in the chronic therapy of TBI, identifying chronic sequelae, determining prognosis, and guiding rehabilitation.