The term Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) refers to an injury caused by a mechanical force damaging the brain as a result of trauma to the head. This term can also be applied to brain injury caused by cranial surgery and any subsequent complications (e.g. following surgery for brain tumour removal).
The causes of TBI include the following:
- Road traffic accidents (e.g. motor vehicle
driver/passenger, cyclist, pedestrian hit by vehicle). - Falls.
- Assaults.
- Sports injuries.
- Injury caused as a consequence of necessary surgery to the brain.
Some groups of people are more vulnerable to sustaining a TBI. These include people:
- With a history of alcohol and/or illicit substance misuse.
- With a history of significant mental health problems.
- Who have a combination of both of the above risk factors.
- From a lower socio-economic background.
- Who engage in high risk activities e.g. some sports and driving at high speed.
- With a history of previous significant brain injury.
- Who have a history of aggressive behaviour and/or who have had involvement with the criminal justice system.
- Who are male aged between 15-24 years.
- In specific age groups i.e. the very young (under 5 years) or the elderly (over 75 years).