Traumatic Brain Injury

A Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is any insult to the brain that is caused by an external force that hits the head or violent shaking of the head strong enough to cause injury. This general definition is also broken down into subtypes, depending on the nature of the injury.

Types of TBI

• Closed Head Injury (CHI) - An injury that does not cause a penetrating open wound into the skull. This is the most common form of TBI. The brain damage inflicted typically is a diffuse injury.
• Common Causes - car accidents, falls, violence
• Open Head Injury (OHI) - An injury that causes an open wound in the skull. The brain damage inflicted is typically a focal injury.
• Common Causes - gunshot wounds, impalements