This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Tolias, C. Articles by Wasserberg, J. Search for Related Content Social Bookmarking                   What's this?

Critical decision making in severe head injury management

Department of Neurosurgery, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK, christostolias{at}doctors.org.uk

Jonathan Wasserberg

Department of Neurosurgery, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK

The management of severe head injury (SHI) remains a major challenge not only for neurosurgeons but also for all other health professionals involved in the care of trauma patients. Any trauma patient with SHI is at risk of further neurological deterioration if appropriate measures are not instituted from the start of his or her treatment. Secondary insults due to ischaemic, hypotensive, and metabolic or other causes are still common, even in the most advanced neurocritical care settings. Management controversies are widespread and few decision options can be supported by Class I evidence. This article attempts to provide an up-to-date review of the published recommendations that could help health professionals in their management of SHI.

Key Words: guidelines • review • severe head injury

CiteULike    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?