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Traumatic Brain Injury

In any type of serious accident (including automobile accidents, work related accidents-workers compensation, slip and falls, construction accidents), if head trauma is involved, the possibility of Traumatic Brain Injury always exists. Traumatic Brain Injury (called TBI) is a serious medical condition that may have dire short and long term effects on patients. TBI MUST be diagnosed quickly and properly so that patients can be treated as expeditiously as possible. With TBI, time is of the essence to properly diagnose the condition and treat properly to prevent serious (possibly permanent) neurological damage to the injured patient.

Traumatic Brain injury occurs when an external force traumatically injures the brain. Traumatic Brain Injury | Car Accident Doctor | Brooklyn TBI is a major cause of death and disability worldwide. Causes of TBI include falls, vehicular accidents or violence. TBI can cause a host of physical, cognitive, social, emotional, and behavioral effects. The outcome can range from complete recovery to permanent disability or death.

Symptoms-Symptoms of patients that have sustained TBI may vary. The first symptom typically is loss of consciousness. Other symptoms include headache, vomiting, nausea, lack of motor coordination, dizziness, difficulty balancing, light headedness, blurred vision, ringing in the ears, bad taste in the mouth, fatigue, and changes in sleep patterns. The patient may also have mood changes, confusion, and trouble with memory, concentration, attention, or thinking.

Diagnosis-To diagnose TBI, a skilled physician must first identify the symptoms and understand how the injury occurred. The doctor must perform a concise history. The history must indicate whether head trauma was involved and if so, the severity of the trauma and also the actual mechanism of the injury. After a thorough history is obtained, the next step is to perform a comprehensive neurological evaluation. Positive findings on the neurological examination (such as inability of the patient’s pupils to constrict under light) can indicate to the physician that TBI has occurred. The next step is diagnostic testing. Proper diagnostic testing is a crucial tool to determine if TBI has occurred and the severity of the condition. Electroencephalography (EEG) and Transcranial Doppler are important diagnostic tests to evaluate TBI. Radiologic studies are also utilized to diagnose Traumatic Brain Injury. Computerized Tomography (CT Scan) is the preferred radiological test in the emergency setting. It is quick, accurate, and widely available. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) can show more detail than CT and can add information about expected outcome in the long run. A variant of MRI (commonly used to diagnose TBI) is called High Density Fiber Tracting (HDFT).

Treatment-The best treatment for Traumatic Brain Injury is prevention. Education is the Traumatic Brain Injury | Car Accident Doctor | Brooklynbest prevention. Athletes must wear proper headgear, motor vehicle drivers and passengers must wear seatbelts, and employers must make sure they provide a safe work environment. Once TBI has occurred and is diagnosed, there are various ways to treat the condition depending on the severity. Treatment may consist of surgery and/or medication in the acute stage. Long term care may require physical therapy, cognitive rehabilitation, and occupational therapy.

Dr. Jeff J. Mollins has been practicing in Downtown Brooklyn for over 25 years. He specializes in the diagnosis, treatment, and documentation of injuries sustained in accidents. In his career, Dr. Mollins has treated countless patients injured in accidents (work related, automobile, slip and falls, construction, etc.) that have sustained head trauma. Dr. Mollins performs a careful, thorough history and a comprehensive (neurological and orthopedic) physical examination. If TBI is suspected, he will immediately refer that patient to a Board Certified (workers compensation certified) neurologist specifically skilled, specializing, in the diagnosis and treatment of Traumatic Brain Injury.

Any patient that has sustained head trauma can be confident that Dr. Mollins has the knowledge and expertise to enable that patient to achieve wellness as quickly as possible.

Posted in: Auto Accident Doctor, Blog