ABSTRACT
Traumatic brain injury (TBI), also called head injury, occurs when a sudden trauma causes damage to the brain. Because of current military conicts around the world and explosions of bombs by the terrorists, the number of troops and civilians with TBI is increasing. TBI can occur with or without penetrating head injury. TBI without penetrating head injury is also called concussive injury, which may express as a mild, moderate, or severe form. The concussive injury has been discussed in detail in Chapter 8. A concussion occurs when the brain is violently rocked back and forth within the skull, following a blow to the head or neck such as observed in contact sports like football, or when in close proximity to a concussive blast pressure wave, following detonation of the improvised explosion devices (IEDs). Most TBI without penetrating head injury occur as a mild form. This form of TBI also increases the risk of posttraumatic disorder (PTSD), which has been discussed in detail in Chapter 6.
