Management of traumatic brain injury in the intensive care unit: A useful mnemonic and a review of the literature

Abstract

This is an attempt to provide a useful mnemonic, "HEAD" for the management of TBI in the ICU. Literature Review Resuscitation Initial assessment: at the emergency room Traumatic brain injury (TBI) accounts for about 30-50% of all trauma-related deaths with a male predominance. It can be classified on the basis of neurological assessment using Glasgow Coma Score into, mild (13/15), moderate (9-12/15) and severe (3-8/15). Moderate to severe TBI often require admission to the Intensive care unit (ICU). Mnemonics have been found to be useful in remembering systematic management of clinical conditions especially for the young and inexperienced physician. This is an attempt to provide a useful mnemonic, "HEAD" for the management of TBI in the ICU.