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Head Injury (cont.)

Medical Treatment

Treatment varies widely depending on the type and severity of injuries.

Minor head injuries are often treated at home as long as someone is available to watch the person.
- Bed rest, fluids, and a mild pain reliever, for example, acetaminophen (Tylenol) may be prescribed. Ice may be applied to the scalp for pain relief and to decrease swelling.
- Cuts will be numbed with a medication usually given by injection. They will then be cleansed. The doctor will then look for foreign matter and hidden injuries. The wound usually is closed with skin staples, stitches (sutures), or skin glue. Tetanus immunization will be updated if needed.
People with serious closed head injuries are almost always admitted to the hospital for observation and repeated studies to assure that the condition does not worsen.
- Occasionally a head injury may cause elevated pressure within the skull. An intracranial pressure (ICP) monitor probe may be surgically inserted into the brain through the skull to measure the pressure. If the pressure rises too high, it may be necessary to do surgery to decompress the brain. Death is possible. Intravenous medications may be used to control intracranial pressure as a temporizing measure until the crisis resolves or surgery is performed.
- Medication to prevent seizures may be given to prevent or treat seizures that occur from the head injury. Seizures after head injury often do not require treatment because they may not reoccur.
- Antibiotics are usually not required in closed head injuries. Some doctors use antibiotics in all cases of basilar skull fracture. Other doctors do not feel this is useful.
When there is a closed head injury with bleeding inside the skull, the doctor must consider a number of factors to determine the correct treatment. Some of these include the location of the bleeding, severity of the symptoms, the presence of any other injuries, and progression of symptoms. Surgery may be needed. Other options include pressure monitors, medication to prevent seizures, and antibiotics to prevent infection. People with this type of injury may need a breathing tube inserted (intubation) to help prevent further brain injury. Angiography may be performed.
Penetrating head injuries often require some sort of surgery, usually to remove foreign material or to stop bleeding. Other options include pressure monitors, medication to prevent seizures, and antibiotics to prevent infection. People with this type of injury may need a breathing tube inserted. Angiography may be performed.