RCH logo

Trauma Service

Head injury

  • Table of contents will be automatically generated here...

    Definitions

    Head trauma can refer to any injury to the head from a superficial graze, through superficial haematoma to skull fracture, and life threatening intracranial injury.  Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) refers more specifically to disruption of the brain tissue by an external mechanical force.  This may lead to a range of presentations from minimally impaired mental status, with no neurological deficit, to profound and sustained loss of consciousness.

    The Glasgow Coma scale [1] has been used to classify severity of traumatic brain injury.  This score designates patients as suffering from mild (GCS 13-15), moderate (GCS 9-12) or severe traumatic brain injury (GCS <8).  Although originally designed for adults, the Glasgow Coma Scale has been adapted to include children and infants.[2, 3].  Other criteria used in the various classifications of head injury severity include presence of post traumatic amnesia, duration of loss of consciousness, presence of neurological changes, presence of skull fracture or intracranial lesions.[4]

    Introduction

    Head injury in children is common.  Traumatic brain injury is a leading cause of long-term disability and mortality in children.  Children under 3 have the highest rates of head injury.  Most are trivial or mild head injuries due to falls - around 90% will be discharged from ED[5]. The majority of head injury in young children is the result of accidental injury, however in children less than 2 years old, 80% or more of deaths from head injury are due to non-accidental trauma. [8]

    There is a second peak in head injuries during adolescence.  This group has a  greater proportion of fatal injuries, where mechanism is more commonly motor vehicle accident related.[5]  In one analysis of children presenting to the Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne,  24% of patients with head injuries had an injury to one or more other body regions and  20 % of all children with severe head injury had an accompanying cervical spine injury.

    Children sustain different patterns of head injury compared to adults due to their relevant anatomical, physiological and biomechanical properties.  In particular, the following differences are important[6]:

    • The skull is more plastic or deformable in children - the sutures are open and the bone itself is less rigid than that in an adult skull.  As a result, there is some movement which absorbs some of the initial impact. The increased plasticity of the skull may also lead to the production of greater shear forces to vessels and underlying brain, increasing the frequency of subdural haematomas and diffuse axonal injury.
    • Open sutures may result in the development of “growing fractures” in infants and children under 3 years old, through the facilitation of cerebrospinal fluid pulsations along the sutures and fracture lines.
    • Open sutures prevent early rise of intracranial pressure - which may lead to fewer clinical symptoms initially.
    • The bones themselves are thinner - and thus offer the brain inside less protection - and the pattern of fracturing is different to adults (especially in young).
    • They have larger head-to-body weight ratio and weaker neck musculature.  This leads to greater acceleration / deceleration of the brain and a higher susceptibility to shearing forces within the brain.  These factors, combined with a relative laxity of the ligamentous structures,  also contribute to the higher incidence of atlanto-occipital dislocation in children (3 times more common than in adults)[7]  and a higher rate of ligamentous spinal injury.
    • The combination of a proportionally heavier head and weaker neck increases neck injury severity including cervical vascular injury leading to cerebral hypoxia and brainstem dysfunction.
    • In addition to the increased head to body weight ratio, children have an increased cranium to face ratio.  At birth the cranium is about 8 times the size of the face, it diminishes to 4 times the size of the face by 5yrs of age, and reaches the adult ratio of 2.5 times the size of the face by adolescence.[6]  As a result facial injuries are less common in small children, and cranial injuries more common.   The relative lack of sinuses in small children also leads to direct transmission of forces through the face to the brain. 
    • Children may lose large volumes of blood due to scalp lacerations and/or haematomas.
    • The immature brain is more prone to injury - containing a higher proportion of water, and a smaller amount of myelin, than the adult brain.  This results in greater deformation following acceleration-deceleration injury and potentially mechanoporation (where the transmitted forces open the pores and allow uncontrolled neurotramsitter release) contributing to the high rates of seizure and cerebral oedema.
    • Diffuse cerebral oedema is a hallmark of paediatric TBI. The exact physiological mechanism is unknown however may be associated with the fact that children have a higher cerebral flow than adolescents and adults. [9]

    Outcomes from head injuries depend on both the severity of the initial injury (primary brain injury), as well as the extent of subsequent complications and how these are managed (secondary brain injury). A holistic approach to the management of paediatric head injury therefore includes identification of risks so that primary injuries can be prevented.  This includes maintaining an increased awareness of inflicted injury, and advocating for the use of protective devices - such as seat belts, bike helmets or netting around trampolines which lessen the number of, or decrease the severity of injury following accidents. This advocacy also identifies and informs parents of those sports/activities which carry increased risks of head injuries - for example quad-biking, Aussie rules football, and horse-riding.  

    Once a primary injury has occurred, hospital management is directed toward the prevention, identification and treatment of the secondary injuries. 

    Pathophysiology

    Outcomes from head injuries depend on the severity of the initial injury (primary injury) and the extent of subsequent damage from oedema, ischaemia and inflammation (secondary injury).    

    The initial stage of TBI is due to mechanical tissue damage from shearing or tearing forces on the neurons, glia and blood vessels.  In many cases there is direct neural cell loss and necrotic cell death.  The primary injury triggers secondary biochemical, metabolic and cellular changes.  These include[10]:

    • Excitotoxic changes – characterized by loss of intracellular glutamate into the extracellular space from injured neurons. Amongst other processes, this acts to stimulate NMDA receptors and allow an influx of sodium and calcium ions into cells which ultimately contributes to cell death through apoptosis and necrosis
    • Oxidative stress – characterized by the accumulation of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species which lead to cell dysfunction through disruption to the cell membranes, and induction of an inflammatory response.
    • Mitochondrial dysfunction – occurs secondary to oxidative stress and large calcium ion influx and leads to a failure to produce ATP leading to further cell apoptosis.
    • Loss of the blood brain barrier integrity – the primary injury can disrupt the otherwise tight cell junctions of the blood brain barrier, which allows for an influx of peripheral immune cells and circulating factors such as albumin, thrombin and fibrinogen.  Through a number of cascades, this leads to an increase in the osmotic force within the brain, leading to oedema and higher intracranial pressure.

    Primary intracranial injuries 

    Primary intracranial injuries include:

    • Focal brain contusions - distinct areas of swollen brain tissue - often on the poles or inferior aspects of the frontal lobes.  Often associated with severe headache, altered level of consciousness and vomiting.
    • Focal brain laceration – with penetrating injury from either bone fracture edges or foreign body.
    • Diffuse and focal vascular injuries – resulting in hematomas including:
      • Extradural - in adults these are commonly due to arterial bleeds (especially from the middle meningeal artery).  In children, venous bleeding, particularly from skull fractures, contributes significantly to extradural haematomas - there may be a delay in signs and symptoms. 
      • Subdural – Associated with injury to the cortical bridging veins such as occurs in birth trauma, accidental injury and inflicted head injury. Additionally subdural haemorrhage is seen with significant adjacent cortical injury with breach of the cortex and pia and can be seen with traumatic rupture of arachnoid cysts.
      • Subarachnoid - occurs following injury to small vessels crossing the subarachnoid space.
      • Intra-parenchymal – ranging from small foci of blood seen on targeted imaging to frank haemorrhage and clot formation within the brain parenchyma such as with avulsed perforating vessels.
      • Intra-ventricular - blood in the intraventricular space can lead to obstruction of CSF flow, and subsequent increase in intra-cranial pressure.
    • Diffuse and focal axonal injury - this is the result of severe acceleration-deceleration and rotational forces which lead to stretching and disruption at a cellular level to axons.  This initial damage leads to a cascade of biochemical and cellular changes leading to neuronal cell death.  Patients with diffuse axonal injury have an evolving brain injury and are especially sensitive to secondary injuries.  Initial imaging may be benign or display small areas of punctate haemorrhages.
    • Hypoxic Injury –primary hypoxic brain injury may occur in trauma from seizures or neural dysfunction with central apnoea. Hypoxic injury is often seen with inflicted head trauma.

    Secondary intracranial injury

    This refers to the injury to brain cells after the original insult.  It is a major contributor to overall morbidity and mortality in traumatic brain injuries - and occurs over hours to weeks following a primary injury to the brain.  Not all of this secondary brain injury is preventable.  Nevertheless, the goals of patient management are aimed at:

    1. Optimizing cerebral oxygenation and metabolism
    2. Minimizing secondary injury

    To achieve these goals, it is important to understand cerebral haemodynamics. 

    Cerebral haemodynamics

    There are two major principles to consider in order to understand cerebral haemodynamics - the Munro-Kellie hypothesis and autoregulation.

    Munro-Kellie Hypothesis

    This hypothesis states that the skull is a rigid compartment filled with essentially non-compressible contents - the brain, intravascular blood and CSF.  An increase in volume of one of the contents should lead to a decrease in the volume of another.  This can occur through displacement of CSF to the spinal subarachnoid space, or through displacement of blood by compression of the venous system.   However, the degree of this compensation is limited, and once it is reached, intra-cranial pressure (ICP) can rise. 

    Acute ICP rise can lead to:

    • Headache, vomiting, depressed mental status, followed by posturing, then abnormal vital signs.  The Cushing reflex describes a reflex bradycardia and systemic hypertension associated with a raised ICP. It is a late sign of brain injury, and indicates reduced perfusion of the brainstem, or imminent brainstem / tonsillar herniation.
    • Cerebral herniation - occurs with critical elevations of ICP.  It can occur at a number of locations in the brain.
      • Uncal (transtentorial) herniation - is typically the result of a unilateral, supratentorial, mass lesion (such as an extradural haematoma).  It arises when the uncus of the temporal lobe is pushed towards the tentorium, compressing the midbrain.  This leads to pressure on the 3rd cranial nerve - causing ipsilateral pupil dilation initially (via compression of parasympathetic fibres) and may progress to a complete oculomotor palsy.
      • Central herniation - refers to the movement of the central brain structures - the diencephalon and parts of the temporal lobes-  through the tentorium cerebelli.  This type of hernia can lead to tears in the pontine arteries - which is typically fatal.
      • Cingulate (subfalcine) herniation - occurs when the cingulate gyrus is pushed under the falx cerebri.
      • Tonsillar herniation - sometimes referred to as "coning" this refers to movement of the cerebellar tonsils down through the foramen magnum.  It leads to compression of the lower brainstem - leading to cardiovascular and respiratory instability. 

    Autoregulation.

    Cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) is dependent on mean arterial pressure (MAP) and intracranial pressure (ICP). The uninjured brain is able to regulate blood flow through a range of blood pressures through autoregulation of cerebral vascular resistance.  Various conditions such as hypercapnia and acidosis lead to dilation of cerebral arteries.  Alkalosis, hypocapnia and hypertension lead to cerebral arterial constriction  .  The injured brain may lose the normal homeostatic mechanisms for blood flow and when this occurs, blood flow is dependent on the CPP.

    The relationship between ICP and CPP is shown below:

    CPP = MAP - ICP

    In injury, a fall in blood pressure (systemic hypotension) or a rise in ICP will lead to a reduction in the CPP.  A reduction in CPP leads to cerebral ischaemia (that is a reduction in cerebral blood flow) - which leads to further neuronal death and cerebral oedema - further increasing ICP and contributing to a vicious cycle of escalating secondary brain injury. 

    In order to prevent cerebral ischaemia, the ICP and MAP must ideally be maintained within normal limits. In healthy children, a normal ICP is typically less than 10-15 mmHg.  In the head injured child, it is typical to aim to keep ICP below 20mmHg.  The target MAP varies with age - but is typically kept >50-60mmHg.  The goal is to achieve a CPP 40-50mmHg with infants within the lower range and adolescents in the higher range. [14]

    Given the concepts outlined above, the general management of traumatic brain injury focuses on minimising factors that contribute to raised intracranial pressure, cerebral edema and cerebral ischaemia. This is achieved by:

    • Avoidance of hypoxia
    • Maintenance of normocapnia – hypercapnia causes cerebral vasodilation leading to an increase in cerebral blood flow and worsening of cerebral edema; hypocapnia can lead to inadequate cerebral blood flow leading to ischaemia.
    • Maintenance of normotension
    • Maintenance of normoglycaemia
    • Maintenance of normothermia - fever can increase cerebral metabolism and increase oxygen demand.
    • Avoidance of seizures

    Initial management of head trauma

    Primary survey

    In all aspects of trauma management the primary survey is the first priority.  This should all take less than 1 minute .

    A    Assess and ensure a patent airway, whilst maintaining C-spine immobilisation

    (see Airway management)
    (see Cervical spine injury)
    (see Primary and secondary survey)

    B    Assess and provide high-flow oxygen; Monitor oxygen saturation and respiratory rates.

    • Assess indications for intubation – preventing hypoxia is of critical importance for patients with a severe head injury. 
    • Aim for pCO2 35-40mmHg
    • Aim for pO2 >80mmHg

    (see Breathing management)

    C    Assess adequacy of circulation

    • Establish 2 large-bore cannulae.
    • Monitor and document the heart rate and blood pressure.
    • Aim for normotension for age. Permissive hypotension is not indicated in significant head injury.

    D    Assess level of disability

    Maintain in-line cervical stabilisation at all times

    • Rapidly assess the child’s mental state using the AVPU or GCS scale (see below).
    • Assess pupil size, equality and reactivity.
    • Assess brain stem reflexes and limb reflexes.
    • Assess limb posture: decorticate, decerebrate.
    • Assess focal neurological signs.
    • Check blood glucose level.

    AVPU Scale

    Use central stimuli – such as sternal pressure or pinching the trapezius
    muscle – to ascertain the child’s response to pain.

    • A Alert
    • V Responds to voice
    • P Responds to pain:
      • Purposefully – or localises site of pain.
      • Non-purposefully.
      • Withdrawal/flexor response.
      • Extensor response.
    • U Unresponsive.

    Glasgow Coma Scale

    • The GCS should be scored on the patient’s best responses.
    • However, the GCS may be falsely low if any of the following are present:
      • Shock, hypoxia, hypothermia, intoxication, post-ictal state or sedative drug administration.
    • Furthermore, the GCS may be impossible to evaluate accurately if the patient is agitated, uncooperative, dysphasic, intubated or has significant facial or spinal cord injuries.
    • Where a significant head injury has occured, the GCS should be repeated regularly, at least every 15 mins, as deterioration may occur rapidly.

    Glasgow Coma Scale (use if child >4years) and Paediatric Glasgow Coma Scale (use if child is <4 years)
    Glasgow Coma Scale (≥ 4 years)Paediatric Glasgow Coma Scale (< 4 years)
        
    ResponseScoreResponseScore
    Eye opening Eye opening 
    Spontaneously4Spontaneously4
    To verbal stimuli3To verbal stimuli3
    To painful stimuli2To painful stimuli2
    No response to pain1No response to pain1
        
    Best verbal response Best verbal response 
    Orientated and converses5Appropriate words or social smile, fixes, follows5
    Confused and converses4Cries but consolable; less than usual words4
    Inappropriate words3Persistently irritable3
    Incomprehensible sounds2Moans to pain2
    No response to pain1No response to pain1
        
    Best motor response Best motor response 
    Obeys verbal commands6Spontaneous or obeys verbal commands6
    Localises to stimuli5Localises to stimuli5
    Withdraws to stimuli4Withdraws to stimuli4
    Abnormal flexion to pain (decorticate)3Abnormal flexion to pain (decorticate)3
    Abnormal extension to pain (decerebrate)2Abnormal extension to pain (decerebrate)2
    No response to pain1No response to pain1

    The primary survey can help guide initial management steps:

    Head injury flowchart - initial management


    History

    Ensure an AMPLE history has been taken (see How children are different).  Also ensure to ask about the following: 

    • Time of injury
    • Mechanism of injury
    • Degree of force acting on the head (i.e. speed of vehicle, height of fall, presence of helmet or restraints)
    • Position of patient when found at the scene
    • Initial conscious state along with any alteration in consciousness state (including irritability) and duration
    • Seizure
    • Apnea
    • Nausea / Vomiting
    • Headache
    • Amnesia
    • Past history of bleeding tendency

    Secondary survey

    Perform a complete secondary survey.  In all cases of head injury, pay particular attention to:

    • Checking the head and face for lacerations, bruising, deformity and tenderness.
    • Assessing for signs of base of skull fracture
      • Haemotympanum or bleeding from ear canal
      • CSF rhinorrhea or otorrhea
      • Periorbital bruising (“raccoon eyes”) – typically bilateral and associated with anterior cranial fossa injury.
      • Bruising around the mastoid (Battle’s sign) – typically indicates a fracture of the middle cranial fossa.  As with periorbital bruising, Battle’s sign may present several days post injury.
    • Maintaining a high level of suspicion for a cervical spine injury.
    • Assessing cranial nerve examination (including visual acuity and hearing)
    • Checking cerebellar function

    Racoon eyes (child)  

    "Racoon eyes"


    Racoon eyes (animal)

              A Racoon


    (see also Primary and secondary survey)

    Initial Investigations

    Laboratory studies

    A general trauma panel is recommended including:

    • Venous blood gas
    • Full blood count
    • Group and Hold
    • Coagulation studies
    • Electrolytes
    • Renal function
    • Liver function
    • Lipase
    • Glucose

    Imaging Studies

    Skull X-Ray

    Infants are more at risk of skull fractures than older children due to their thinner craniums. The presence or absence of a skull fracture however, does not always correlate with the severity of the underlying brain injury.

    • A skull X-ray is not performed routinely in patients presenting with a non-localized head injury, and it is not used to determine whether a child requires admission. There is no place for the skull X-Ray “just in case”.
    • Skull X-rays  generally require more than one plane for diagnosis and as such  low dose helical CTs are often preferred for greater clinical utility for equivalent radiation exposure.

    CT scan

    Performance of the CT scan should only be undertaken when the patient is stable enough to be transferred to the CT scanner. They must be fully monitored and accompanied at all times.  Indications for a CT head include:

    •   Reduced GCS:
      • GCS < or = 8             Requires urgent CT
      • GCS 9-12                  Discuss timing with neurosurgery; may require urgent CT if other concerning predictors or clinical signs are present
      • GCS 13-14                May require urgent CT if other concerning predictors or clinical signs present (see below).
    • Rapid neurological deterioration (> or = 3/2 points) on GCS Scale.
    • Focal neurological signs
    • Abnormal pupillary exam
    • Abnormal posturing – in particular extensor posturing.
    • Full fontanelle and/or separating sutures.
    • Bradycardia and hypertension associated with altered conscious state (Cushing’s reflex is a late sign).
    • Requirement for general anaesthesia and a history of prolonged LOC (> 5 mins)
    There are a number of clinical decision tools to help determine the need for a head CT in children (PECARN, CATCH, CHALICE). All three tools are highly sensitive, have external validity and therefore Emergency Departments should consider instituting one tool into practice. [13]
     

    Indications for CT after the phase of initial presentation and assessment: (management directed by Consultant Neurosurgeon)

    • Deteriorating conscious state;
    • Unresolving or worsening symptoms of concussion;
    • Persistent nausea or vomiting.

    Other important considerations regarding CT and surgery

    • If, because of ongoing extracranial bleeding, the patient’s condition cannot be stabilised with maximal resuscitation, he/she should be transferred directly to theatre and CT scans postponed.
    • The child with GCS < or = 8 should be considered for ICP-monitoring during surgery. (Discuss with neurosurgeons).
    • The child with GCS 9 – 12 or a history of prolonged LOC (> 5 min) requires a CT scan before surgery for other injuries. (Discuss with neurosurgeons.)
    • Non-urgent surgery for other injuries may need to be deferred for 24 – 72 hours.

    Forensic considerations

    Whilst it should not interfere with emergency management documenting history and findings both descriptively and with photography and preserving clothing or other “evidence” appropriately can help the care of the child both in elucidating the nature of the mechanism particularly in the case of inflicted injury and non-verbal children.

    Extracranial Injuries

    Scalp Injuries

    The scalp, being highly vascularized, can be a source of significant bleeding. In young infants, scalp lacerations, in particular a subgaleal haematoma, can lead to haemorrhagic shock. [14]  All wounds should be explored to check for underlying skull fractures.

    Skull Fractures

    Skull fractures are most common in the first year of life.  They may occur in the presence or absence of external clinical signs - i.e a boggy haematoma, as these may take some time to develop.

    Types of skull fractures include:

    • Linear Fractures:
      • The most common simple type.
      • Seen in the temporal parietal region.
      • Often accompanied by an overlying haematoma.
      • They require no specific treatment and will heal well.
      • A very small minority of infants (<1%) may develop a “growing skull fracture” (see below).
    • Diastatic Fractures:
      • These are caused by traumatic separation of the sutures most commonly lamboidal.
    • Growing Fractures:
      • These are seen in infants where there has been associated dural injury. With the brain pulsation and rapid growth in this age the fracture widens “grows” with herniation of injured brain through the torn dura up in to the fracture site. These fractures generally present sometime after the initial injury, usually as a persistent swelling or pulsatile mass and requires surgical repair. This is screened for in at risk age groups by a clinical check of fracture healing by palpation 6-8 weeks post injury.
    • Depressed Fractures:
      • Usually due to a direct blow.
      • May be easily overlooked.
      • All local wounds should be palpated.
      • Need discussion with a neurosurgical team and may require surgical intervention.
    • Open Fractures:
      • Should be explored and closed.
      • Should have vigorous wound-toileting and irrigation because of the risk of infection.
      • Patients should be covered with broad-spectrum antibiotics.
    • Basal skull Fractures:
      • These may be difficult to see radiologically, although the clinical suspicion should be high if “battle’s sign” / “raccoon eyes” or a CSF leak is present
      • Do not use nasal airways or nasogastric tubes in these patients due to the risk of intracranial placement.
      • There is a risk of meningitis with streptococcus pneumoniae, but antibiotics are not given empirically.
    It is important to evaluate children with skull fractures thoroughly and a CT scan should be included as part of the assessment. Most children should be routinely admitted for a period of observation.  Where a child has injured their head, always remember to consider the potential for an associated cervical spine injury. Assess the cervical spine clinically and radiologically where indicated. (see cervical spine assessment)

    Management of extracranial injuries

    CT scan is typically indicated in focal injuries. Discuss with neurosurgical team.
    • Admission to a neurosurgical centre is required in most cases
    • All wounds should be explored to check for underlying skull fractures.
    • To prevent wound infection, all patients with external compound head injuries should receive antibiotics.  In Victoria, RCH recommends:
      • IV flucloxacillin – which is suitable for most wounds
      • The addition of gentamicin and metronidazole if contamination is present.
      • An appropriate sterile dressing should cover the wound.
    • Prophylactic antibiotics are not indicated for patients with internal compound fractures (that is - base of skull) with CSF leak.
      • All of these patients should be closely observed, and discussed with a neurosurgical center who will usually admit them to ensure the leak has resolved.
      • Those patients who develop a fever with CSF leak, or have a history thereof, require emergency neurosurgical consultation and empirical antibiotics such as flucloxacillin and cefotaxime.

    Intracranial injuries

    Mild traumatic brain injuries / concussion (GCS 13-15)

    Mild TBI and concussion are interchangeable terms. Sports concussion is a subtype of mild TBI.  According to The WHO Collaborating Centre Task Force on Mild Traumatic Brain Injury, mild TBI is defined as:

    1. One or more of the following:
      • confusion or disorientation loss of consciousness for 30 minutes or less
      • post-traumatic amnesia for less than 24 hours
      • other transient neurological abnormalities such as focal signs, seizure, and intracranial lesion not requiring surgery;
    2. Glasgow Coma Scale score of 13–15 after 30 minutes post-injury or later upon presentation for healthcare. 

    The Task Force also states the manifestations cannot be due to a penetrating head injury. [15]  Others have restricted mild TBI to those with GCS 14-15 as patients with GCS 13 have a risk of intracranial lesion like those with moderate TBI. [16]  In general, mild TBI does not result in in head CT or MRI changes. This finding however is not universally agreed upon and may change as new neuroimaging modalities are introduced.

    Management of mild TBI:

    The greatest risk to patients with apparent mild TBI is the delayed onset of an intracranial haematoma or brain swelling. Both are the most common causes of avoidable death in this subset of patients. The decision to perform a head CT or not in a child with apparent mild TBI is therefore critical.  There are a number of clinical decision tools, with high sensitivity and external validity, to help determine the need for a head CT in children (PECARN, CATCH, CHALICE[KA1] /NICE).[13] (see Radiology). According to the 2014 National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) Guidelines (UK), factors that would prompt a head CT in children include: [17]

    Any one of:

    • Suspicion of non-accidental injury
    • Post traumatic seizure where there is no history of epilepsy
    • If > 1 year old, any GCS of <14 on initial assessment or any GCS <15 at 2hrs following injury
    • If <1 year old, any GCS <15 on initial assessment (or subsequently)
    • If < 1 year old any bruise, swelling or laceration larger than 5cm on the head
    • Any suspected open or depressed skull fracture / tense fontanelle
    • Any sign of basal skull fracture (haemotympanum, ‘panda’ eyes (that is periorbital ecchymosis/bruising - more commonly referred to as “raccoon eyes” in Australia), CSF leakage from the 
ear or nose, Battle’s sign) 

    • Focal neurological deficit 
  

    Or, in the absence of any of the above, two or more of:

    • Witnessed loss of consciousness for more than 5 minutes
    • Abnormal drowsiness
    • Three or more discrete episodes of vomiting
    • Dangerous mechanism (high speed road traffic accident either as pedestrian, cyclist or vehicle occupant, fall from a height of greater than three metres, high-speed injury from a projectile or other object).
    • Amnesia (antegrade or retrograde) lasting more than 5 minutes  

    Observation, in hospital, for a minimum of four hours is advised where there is there is only one of the latter set of conditions.  Home observation is another option for patients with normal mental status, normal neurological exam and the availability of a reliable adult parent/carer.[17] Of note, it can be difficult to have a reliable neurological exam in infants and a higher degree of suspicion is required.   

    Prognosis of mild TBI:

    Typical course is resolution of confusion within 24 hours. Concussion results in an inflammatory state of the brain which is then vulnerable to second injury (second impact syndrome). Clear guidelines on rest, recovery, return to activity and return to risk activities must be given at discharge.  Post-concussion symptoms are common. These include:

    • Physical symptoms – nausea, dizziness, headache, blurred vision, sleep disturbance
    • Cognitive deficits – Poor memory, attention and executive function
    • Emotional changes – depression, irritability, anxiety and emotional lability
    • Post-concussive symptoms gradually resolve during the following 12 weeks. 

    Some patients with mild TBI have persistent symptoms or develop neuropsychological deficits however it is difficult to predict in which patient group this occurs. A pre-morbid neuropsychiatric disorder is strongly related to persistence of symptoms for 3 months or longer after injury. Patients with persistent symptoms for greater than 3 months may benefit from treatment guided by teams specialized in mild TBI/concussion. [15]

    Sports-related concussion:  Post-concussion symptoms typically resolve within 7-10 days after a first concussion. [15]  Patients should be counselled to have a gradual return to sport.

    Recommendations to families post discharge:

    See ‘Head Injury Handout’. (end of this chapter)  

    Moderate traumatic brain injury (GCS 9-12) 

    Clinical features can include:

    • Brief loss of consciousness at time of injury – with or without amnesia to the injury.
    • Alert on examination, or responds to voice. May be drowsy.
    • Two or more episodes of vomiting.
    • Persistent headache.
    • Up to one single brief (less than 2 min) convulsion, occurring immediately after the impact.
    • May have a large scalp bruise, haematoma or laceration. These can be responsible for significant reduction in the circulating blood volume. The area should also be palpated to help assess for an underlying depressed skull fracture.
    • Normal examination otherwise.

    Management of moderate TBI:  

    Consult Neurosurgical team and consider CT scan if:­

    • A persistent headache, large haematoma or possible penetrating wound may need further investigation.
    • At 4 – 6 hours, the child is still drowsy or vomiting.
    • There is any deterioration during this time.
    • Admit to a ward knowledgeable in paediatric TBI for observation.  

    Most patients will initially rapidly recover from the effects of concussion within a 12-24 hour period. A delay or reversal of recovery suggests haemorrhage, cerebral oedema, or infection.  

    Severe traumatic brain injury (GCS <8)

    Clinical features can include:

    • Prolonged loss of consciousness at time of injury.
    • Increasingly severe headache, with or without vomiting
    • Decreased conscious state – responsive only to pain, or unresponsive.
    • Abnormal/change in behaviour.
    • Bleeding/CSF leak from nose or ears.
    • Localising neurological signs (unequal pupils, lateralising motor weakness).
    • Signs of increased intracranial pressure:
      • Cushing response of bradycardia with hypertension:  a late sign in children which occurs secondary to tonsillar herniation / decreased brainstem perfusion
      • Changes in pupillary size or reactiveness : uncal herniation leads to a dilated non-reactive pupil due to compression of the ipsilateral oculomotor nerve by the ipsilateral uncus (usually results from unilateral haemorrhage or collection).
      • Penetrating head injury. All scalp wounds and lacerations should be explored, to check the underlying skull is intact prior to suturing.
      • Seizures (other than single brief [less than 2 min] convulsion) occurring immediately after the impact.
      • Out of hospital arrest – inflicted head injury in babies and infants may present with unexplained arrest / loss of consciousness in the absence of external signs of trauma.

    Management of severe TBI

    Consult neurosurgery and intensive care early.  Manage as a multi-trauma patient.         

    Goals of treatment are:

    1. Optimizing cerebral oxygenation and metabolism
    2. Minimizing secondary injury
    3. Rapidly identify intracranial injuries requiring surgical intervention

    Specific management

    Optimise oxygenation

    • Maintain a patent airway
    • Maintain adequate ventilation and oxygenation.
      • Target PO280mmHg
      • Target PCO2 35-40 mmHg

    Optimise cerebral perfusion

    • Optimise head position
      • Keep head of bed at 30°
      • Midline head position
    • Ensure normotension for age
      • Correct hypovolaemia
      • If unable to maintain blood pressure with fluid resuscitation, may consider vasopressor (noradrenaline or vasopressin) in discussion with intensive care
    • Use of sedation and analgesia to prevent any movement, coughing, pain that can increase ICP
      • Give additional sedation prior to suctioning
      • Consider muscle relaxation, in discussion with neurosurgery

    Other strategies to minimise secondary injury

    • Give dextrose containing maintenance fluids to maintain normoglycaemia (4-8 mmol/L)
    • Maintain normal serum sodium 
    • Ensure temperature control
      • Maintain normothermia (36°C)
    • Seizure management (see below) 
    • Elevated ICP management (see below)       

    Imaging - Arrange urgent head CT.

    Management of post traumatic seizures    

    Post traumatic seizures are a common event following severe brain injuries.  The incidence in this group (i.e. GCS <8) has been reported as between 19-39%.  However, it is worth noting this risk increases further in those who are young (<2yrs), have a subdural haematoma, and those who have an inflicted injury.[18]  The aggressive management and prevention of seizures in the head injured patient is required to prevent secondary brain injury.  The mechanisms by which seizures worsen secondary brain injury include:[19]

    • Increasing metabolic demand
    • Increasing CBF and ICP
    • Increasing neurotransmitter release
    • Increasing relative hypoxia / ischaemia

    Traditionally, post- traumatic seizures have been categorized into either:

    • early post-traumatic seizures – which occur within 7 days of the initial injury
    • late post-traumatic seizures – which more than 7 days after the initial injury

    However, it has been suggested that “early post-traumatic seizures” group can be further subdivided into the following groups[19]:

    • Impact seizures – occurs at the time or within minutes of injury.  Is typically a brief, generalized seizure associated with rapid and complete recovery. 
    • Immediate post traumatic seizure – occur within the first 24hours post injury. Most early post traumatic seizures occur within this time period.
    • Delayed early seizures – occurring between days 2 and 7.  Seizures occurring in this time frame are more likely to be associated with severe brain injury such as intracranial haemorrhage.

    Risk factors for early post traumatic seizures include[19]:

    • Age <2
    • Abusive or inflicted head injury
    • Intracranial haemorrhage
    • Severe TBI (i.e GCS <8)
    • Prolonged loss of consciousness
    • Depressed or open skull fracture

    Aggressive treatment of seizures is important to prevent secondary brain injury.  Management includes the following: 

    • Support airway and breathing, apply oxygen by mask, monitor, note time of onset.
    • Secure IV access, check bedside serum glucose and send urgent specimen for calcium / electrolytes and venous blood gas. Treat hypoglycaemia.
    • Give benzodiazepine immediately – IM or IO if IV access is unavailable.  Consider a reduced dose to avoid hypotension (for example in the multiply injured patient, where there is also a degree of haemorrhagic shock) and hypoxia.
    • Repeat benzodiazepine after 5 minutes of continuing seizures.
    • If seizure continues for a further 5 – 10 minutes, commence IV anti-epileptic drug.  Current recommendations favour the use of IV phenytoin, however,  leviteracetam should be considered where there is concern over the patient’s haemodynamic status as it is less likely to cause hypotension.
    • Seek senior assistance if seizure not controlled – involve PICU / PIPER early.
    • Anticipate need to support respiration.
    • Anticipate hypotension induced by anti-epileptics.
    • Manage with fluid resuscitation and vasopressors as needed.
    • For severe TBI, prophylactic phenytoin may be considered to reduce the incidence of early posttraumatic seizures. [20]

    Any early post traumatic seizure, apart from a brief (<2min) impact seizure, warrants investigation with imaging (CT or MRI brain).

    Drug Route Dose Comments
    Midazolam IV/IO/IM 0.15mg/kg Give immediately in the seizing head injured patient.  Caution is required in the injured, hypotensive pt who may not tolerate a full dose of midazolam.  Avoid the intra-nasal route in children with any awareness during seizures due to irritation
    IN 0.2-0.5 mg/kg (max 10mg)
    Buccal 0.3mg/kg (max 10mg)
    Phenytoin IV / IO 20mg/kg Avoid if there is concern about toxicological cause being associated with or leading to the patient experiencing a head injury.  May also precipitate a degree of hypotension – either anticipate and prevent this or consider using leviteracetam
    Leviteracetam IV/IO 20-40mg/kg Consider as second line agent where 2 doses of benzodiazepams have failed to control seizures
    Propofol IV/IO Titrated to effect Use only with involvement of senior staff confident with airway management. Beware of hypotension.
    Thiopentone IV/IO Titrated to effect Use only with involvement of senior staff confident with airway management. Beware of hypotension.

    Management of elevated ICP

    Detection of elevated ICP requires invasive monitoring – however, an acute rise in ICP can be inferred from certain clinical symptoms (described in the cerebral haemodynamics section above).  

    Manage in consultation with neurosurgery and intensive care.  

    Priority is to minimize ICP while awaiting surgical evaluation.  In addition to the management strategies discussed above, additional therapies include:  

    First tier therapies

    1. Sedation, analgesia and neuromuscular blockade
      • Ensure deeply sedated
      • Use neuromuscular blockade if not already given
    2. C-spine immobilisation
      • If deeply sedated and/or muscle relaxed,  may consider the removal of the cervical collar if it thought to be impairing venous return.  However, the use sandbags to stabilise the head is recommended and it is imperative to ensure all staff are aware that C-spine is not clinically cleared.
    3. Hyperosmolar therapy - typically hypertonic saline (3%), (although mannitol is widely used, due to lack of evidence, the most recent Guidelines for the Acute Medical Management of Severe Traumatic Brain Injury in Infants, Children and Adolescents can only recommend the use of hypertonic saline [12]).
      • Mechanism of effect:
        • Initial rapid and transient (< 75 minutes) reduction in blood viscosity leading to viscosity-mediated vasoconstriction (if intact autoregulation) and a reduction in cerebral blood volume without a decrease in blood flow. A decrease in cerebral blood volume decreases ICP.
        • Slower onset osmotic effect (onset 15-30 minutes; lasts up to 6 hours) in which there is movement of water from the brain parenchyma into the systemic circulation. Requires intact blood-brain barrier.
      • Possible side effects: Renal injury, natriuresis

    Second tier therapies

    1. Temperature control
      • Prevent hyperthermia
      • Can consider mild-moderate hypothermia, in isolated head injuries, in discussion with neurosurgery and paediatric intensive care. However, in the multiply injured patient, hypothermia may exacerbate any existing coagulopathy.
    2. Barbiturates
      • Decrease ICP by decreasing cerebral metabolic rate
      • Thiopentone 1 mg/kg
      • Possible side effects: Hypotension

    Medical management may not be able to relieve elevated ICP secondary to a large haematoma or severe cerebral oedema.  Emergent surgery may be required, so early consultation with neurosurgery is necessary.

    Localised brain injury

    Injuries caused by a direct blow and confined to a focal area of the head.  These injuries may cause:

    • Simple or compound depressed skull fractures -these are common.
    • Lacerations and compound wounds - which may become infected.
    • Focal contusions or laceration of the brain may be present to a varying size or depth.
    • Concussion may be absent

    Management

    Initial management is resuscitation, as for severe head injury (see skull fractures above). 

    • CT scan may be required. Discuss with neurosurgical team
    • Admission to a neurosurgical centre is required in most cases
    • All wounds should be explored to check for underlying skull fractures (see above).

    Intracranial haemorrhage  

    Intracranial haemorrhages will cause a rise in the ICP with the clinical features discussed above. It is essential that a neurosurgical consultation occurs as soon as possible, for advice on acute management and for definitive treatments, such as a surgical evacuation.

    Subdural haematoma

    This is the most common type of intracranial bleed.  It may occur at any age but often seen in infants.  Subdural haematomas:

    • Are venous in origin, caused by tearing of the bridging meningeal veins.
    • May be associated with significant underlying parenchymal damage.
    • May present with seizure.
    • Are management with urgent surgical review and prompt surgical intervention, when required.
    • May be secondary to inflicted head trauma - hence, it is essential to consider this whether there are any red flags regarding inflicted injury for these patients - especially in infants.


    Subdural haematomaSubdural haematoma

    The CT scan above shows a subdural haematoma in the right hemisphere, associated with mass effect as evidenced by midline shift.

    Extradural haematoma

    Extradural haematomas are often associated with a skull fracture.  The haematoma forms a mass and the patient may have an initial lucid period before a collapse.  Typical, extradural haematomas:

    • are a unilateral lens shaped collection (may also be confined to the internal surface of the suture at the dural attachment) of acute blood or mixed acute and hyperacute.
    • present with headache, vomiting, and altered consciousness. Seizures are relatively rare.

    Management requires urgent neurosurgical intervention with surgical evacuation of the haematoma and repair of any vessels. 

    ExtraduralExtradural haematoma

    The CT scan above shows an extradural haematoma overlying the right frontal lobe.

    Subarachnoid haemorrhage

    Subarachnoid haemorrhages are common in trauma.  They arise as a consequence of tearing of the small vessels of the pia mater.  The blood distributes within  the subarachnoid space, rarely causing a mass effect and it may remain relatively focal.  Subarachnoid haemorrhages are:

    • Usually an indicator of trauma rather than a lesion requiring treatment in itself.
    • Should be discussed with the neurosurgical team.


    Cerebral contusions 

    These occur from high-energy impact, when the cerebral cortex impacts against the sides of the fixed skull vault. The injuries occur at two points:

    • At the site of the traumatic impact (“coup injuries”)
    • And at the opposite point of impact (“contracoup injuries”)

    They are most likely to occur where the brain is less cushioned, i.e less CSF

    • Under the surface of the frontal poles
    • At the poles of the temporal lobes

    Effects of cerebral contusions:

    • The patient may demonstrate generalized head injury signs or may have focal neurological deficit/behavioural/ mental state disturbances.
    • Seizures may occur and worsen secondary brain injury.  
    • Contusions frequently “blossom” following an injury and as such usually require admission for neurological observation and potentially repeated imaging.


    RCH head injury handout

    RCH has two head injury handouts that can be given to caregivers and older children.  The first covers general advice, and the second provides advice on graduated return to school and sport


    References and further reading

    1. Teasdale, G. and B. Jennett, Assessment of coma and impaired consciousness. A practical scale. Lancet, 1974. 2(7872): p. 81-4.
    2. Reilly, P., et al., Assessing the conscious level in infants and young children: a paediatric version of the Glasgow Coma Scale. Child's Nervous System, 1988. 4(1): p. 30-33.
    3. Borgialli, D.A., et al., Performance of the Pediatric Glasgow Coma Scale Score in the Evaluation of Children With Blunt Head Trauma. Acad Emerg Med, 2016. 23(8): p. 878-84.
    4. Thurman, D.J., The Epidemiology of Traumatic Brain Injury in Children and Youths A Review of Research Since 1990. Journal of child neurology, 2016. 31(1): p. 20-27.
    5. Crowe, L., et al., The epidemiology of paediatric head injuries: data from a referral centre in Victoria, Australia. Journal of paediatrics and child health, 2009. 45(6): p. 346-350.
    6. Pinto, P.S., et al., The unique features of traumatic brain injury in children. Review of the characteristics of the pediatric skull and brain, mechanisms of trauma, patterns of injury, complications and their imaging findings--part 1. J Neuroimaging, 2012. 22(2): p. e1-e17.
    7. Hall, G.C., et al., Atlanto-occipital dislocation. World Journal of Orthopedics, 2015. 6(2): p. 236-243.
    8. Bruce, D.A. and Zimmerman, R. A. Shaken Impact Syndrome. Pediatr Ann, 1989. 18(8): p. 482-4, 486-9, 492-4.
    9. Fuhrman, B.P. and Zimmerman, J.J. et al., editors. Pediatric Critical Care. 5th ed. Philadelphia: Elsevier; c2017. Chapter 60, Structure, function, and development of the nervous system; p. 826.
    10. Lozano, D et al.  (2015) Neuroinflammatory responses to traumatic brain injury: etiology, clinical consequences, and therapeutic opportunities.  Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat 11:97-106
    11. Nichols, D.G., editor. Roger's Textbook of Pediatric Intensive Care. 4th ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins; c2008. Chapter 56, Head and spinal cord injury.
    12. Adelson, P.D. et al., Guidelines for the acute medical management of severe traumatic brain injury in infants, children, and adolescents. Chapter 5. Indications for intracranial pressure monitoring in pediatric patients with severe traumatic brain injury. Pediatr Crit Care Med, 2003 July. 4(3 Suppl):S1-82.
    13. Babl, F.E. et al., Accuracy of PECARN, CATCH, and CHALICE head injury decision rules in children: a prospective cohort study. Lancet, 2017 Apr 11 [Epub ahead of print].
    14. Baren, J.M. et al., editor. Pediatric Emergency Medicine. Philadelphia: Saunders/Elsevier; c2008. Chapter 17, Head Trauma.
    15. Servadei F, Teasdale G, Merry G, and the Neurotraumatology Committee of the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies, Defining acute mild head injury in adults: a proposal based on prognostic factors, diagnosis, and management. J Neurotrauma 2001. 18: p. 657–64.

    16. Levin, H. S., Diaz-Arrastia, R. R, Diagnosis, prognosis, and clinical management of mild traumatic brain injury. Lancet Neurol, 2015. 14(5): p. 506-517.
    17. NICE clinical guideline 176 Head injury: assessment and early management available at: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg176
    18. Bennett, KS et al. Seizures in Children with Severe traumatic Brain Injury. Pediatr Crit Care Med.  2017 18(1):54-63
    19. Arndt, DH et al.  Early Posttraumatic Seizures in the Pediatric Population.  Journal of Child Neurology 2016 31(1):46-56
    20. Kochanek P.M. et al., Guidelines for the acute medical management of severe traumatic brain injury in infants, children, and adolescents--second edition.Pediatr Crit Care Med. 2012 Jan. 13 Suppl 1: p.S1-82.