In an instant, a single blow to the head can drastically alter an individual’s life. In fact, the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) has highlighted the severity of head injuries, noting that annually, more than 5% of people worldwide suffer from serious brain trauma either as a consequence of accidents or inadvertent head bumps.
Additionally, the three primary causes of head injuries, according to the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health are as follows:
- Motor Vehicle, Bicycle, or vehicle-pedestrian accidents, constitute approximately 50% of all head injuries.
- Falls account for 25% of head injuries.
- Violence contributes to 20% of head injuries.
Given the profound impact of head injuries, the medical community has designated 20 March as World Head Injury Awareness Day. This annual event sheds light on the spectrum of head injuries, ranging from mild bumps to severe brain trauma. Its objective is to underscore the significance of accident prevention and brain injury mitigation strategies.
Demonstrating its steadfast commitment to community welfare, Mediclinic Newcastle has taken proactive steps to raise awareness around World Head Injury Awareness Day.
Through the expertise of its neurosurgeon Dr Thamsanqa Buthelezi and neurovascular surgeon Dr Tristram Horton, Mediclinic Newcastle endeavours to elucidate the complexities of head injuries, their profound implications on individuals’ lives, and the imperative need to seek timely medical intervention.
“A head injury is extremely common, and there are different spectrums, from very mild to severe. The mild, that we call a concussion, is a brain injury. In the vast majority of people who suffer a concussion, there are no long term or permanent consequences. Then you go through the spectrum of other types of injuries that are more severe and direct, that have more lasting effects,” began Dr Horton.
Adding to this, Dr Buthelezi explained that severe head injuries are among the most devastating.
“This is where you find somebody is not only unconscious but also has a Glasgow Coma Scale of 3, where they are not responding to pain, not even able to breathe properly. That person might also be bleeding, and you might find that there is no movement at all, even with deep pain stimulus.”
Dr Buthelezi further highlighted that these patients were potentially bleeding from the skull, had skull fractures, had a brain contusion or were even oozing out Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) and blood. It should be explained that the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) classifies Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) as Mild (14–15); Moderate (9–13) or Severe (3–8).
Moreover, he clarified that this type of head injury typically arises from trauma-related incidents such as motor vehicle accidents and gunshot wounds.
The Mediclinic Newcastle neurosurgeon also noted that these incidents often resulted in damage to the spine. “In such cases,” he elaborated, “patients are usually unconscious from the scene until they reach the hospital.” Upon arrival at the hospital, these patients are promptly taken to the operating theatre for emergency surgery.
Dr Buthelezi went on to explain that head injuries resulting from falls are more common among children, elderly individuals, and construction workers.
On this note he highlighted that children and the elderly often experience subdural haematomas, where blood vessels burst due to the force of the injury, leading to pooled blood exerting pressure on the brain. On the other hand, construction workers tend to sustain more severe injuries due to the heights from which they fall. Then there were head-related injuries due to contact sports, with rugby being the biggest contributor to sports-related head injuries in Newcastle.
When considering signs indicative of a head injury, Dr Buthelezi highlighted the following:
- Headaches.
- Loss of consciousness, even for three seconds, which could indicate possible bleeding in the brain.
- Weakness in one’s limbs or partial paralysis.
- Fluid leaking out of their ears or nose.
- Blurred vision.
- Seizure.
- Vomiting.
- Difficulty in waking someone up after a head injury.
If any of these signs are displayed, Dr Buthelezi emphasised the importance of promptly seeking medical attention for assessment, including a CT scan.
Building on this and when examining the subtle indicators of a head injury, Dr Horton stressed the importance of observing cognitive disturbances, which encompass difficulties with thinking, memory, decision-making, judgement, and mood swings.
“Then there are sensations, such as the loss of smell and taste,” noted Dr Horton, who also highlighted that loss of sight could be a potential symptom.
Taking these observations into account, Dr Horton stated the concerning consequences of a head injury. “These can include weakness in limbs, sometimes leading to temporary or even permanent severe loss of function. There may also be problems with cognition, resulting in cognitive disabilities, and in the worst-case scenario, individuals may be left severely disabled.” The Mediclinic Newcastle neurovascular surgeon further stressed that if a person’s brain stem was damaged during a head injury, death is a possibility.
Furthermore, he highlighted that a significant proportion of patients with severe traumatic brain injuries requires extensive surgical intervention to improve their chances of survival.
Additionally, Dr Horton pointed out that head injuries are the leading cause of death in motor vehicle collisions and pedestrian-vehicle collisions. This underscores the gravity of head injuries and the significance of World Head Injury Awareness Day.
Considering all of this and acknowledging the potentially severe consequences of head injuries on a person’s life, Dr Buthelezi highlighted what he believed to be the most significant misconception surrounding head injuries. He expressed concern that people often fail to take the classification of Mild Head Injury seriously.
“When we classify an injury as mild,” he clarified, “we mean that the individual was fully awake at the time of the incident. However, this doesn’t imply that there won’t be future issues with school performance or memory impairment. There’s also the possibility of personality changes down the line. It’s crucial not to make judgments about the severity of a head injury yourself.”
Dr Buthelezi emphasised that while clinically designated as mild, such injuries can have serious repercussions, significantly impacting an individual’s life, and potentially leading to personality changes and even seizures.
Regarding treatment for head injuries, Dr Buthelezi explained that the approach depends on the severity of the injury. “If we detect bleeding on the brain,” he said, “the patient will likely require evacuation of that haematoma.”
When discussing surgical interventions for potential severe head injuries, Dr Horton outlined the most common procedures, which include:
- Craniotomy: This involves the removal and subsequent replacement of a piece of the skull using titanium plates and screws.
- Craniectomy: In this procedure, a piece of the skull is temporarily left off, and once brain swelling subsides, the removed piece of skull is replaced.
Furthermore, Dr Horton explained that these procedures are beneficial for patients who have experienced brain bruising, bleeding, or other forms of brain damage. They entail opening the skull and addressing the affected area within the brain. Additionally, Dr Buthelezi explained that the rehabilitation process also formed a vital part of treatment. This included the assistance of physiotherapists, psychologists, and occupational therapists.
Concluding, Mediclinic Newcastle’s Dr Buthelezi and Dr Horton emphasised that it was important to remember, that thanks to developments in medical science, patients with head injuries should not give up hope as medical practitioners were able to help patients recover more efficiently than in the past.
It should be highlighted that both dynamic doctors can perform surgeries at Mediclinic Newcastle, meaning that patients need not travel for treatment.
With the above in mind, leave your comments in the section below and be sure to always prioritise your health, reaching out to Mediclinic Newcastle and their phenomenal bouquet of specialists for expert medical treatment.
