CLASSIFICATION OF HEAD INJURY

CLASSIFICATION OF HEAD INJURY

The severity of head injury is classified according to the post- resuscitation Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score ( Table 28.1 ), as it is the GCS score – and in particular the motor score – that is the best predictor of neurological outcome. In broad terms, significantly obtunded patients have moderate injuries and comatose patients have severe injuries; alcohol and drug e ff ects often complicate the classification. :

TABLE 28.1 Head injury severity: clinical classi /f_i cation. Minor head injury GCS 15 with no LOC Mild head injury GCS 14 or 15 with LOC GCS 9–13 Moderate head injury Severe head injury GCS 3–8 GCS, Glasgow Coma Scale; LOC, loss of consciousness.

CLASSIFICATION OF HEAD INJURY

The severity of head injury is classified according to the post- resuscitation Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score ( Table 28.1 ), as it is the GCS score – and in particular the motor score – that is the best predictor of neurological outcome. In broad terms, significantly obtunded patients have moderate injuries and comatose patients have severe injuries; alcohol and drug e ff ects often complicate the classification. :

TABLE 28.1 Head injury severity: clinical classi /f_i cation. Minor head injury GCS 15 with no LOC Mild head injury GCS 14 or 15 with LOC GCS 9–13 Moderate head injury Severe head injury GCS 3–8 GCS, Glasgow Coma Scale; LOC, loss of consciousness.

CLASSIFICATION OF HEAD INJURY

The severity of head injury is classified according to the post- resuscitation Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score ( Table 28.1 ), as it is the GCS score – and in particular the motor score – that is the best predictor of neurological outcome. In broad terms, significantly obtunded patients have moderate injuries and comatose patients have severe injuries; alcohol and drug e ff ects often complicate the classification. :

TABLE 28.1 Head injury severity: clinical classi /f_i cation. Minor head injury GCS 15 with no LOC Mild head injury GCS 14 or 15 with LOC GCS 9–13 Moderate head injury Severe head injury GCS 3–8 GCS, Glasgow Coma Scale; LOC, loss of consciousness.