Define TBI

Q: What is the (official) definition of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)?

Answer: The international interagency initiative toward common data elements for research in TBI and psychological health proposed a simple definition of TBI in 2010. Definition states:

"TBI is an alteration in brain function, or other evidence of brain pathology, caused by an external force."

For clinicians, it is important to distinguish the difference between brain and the head injury!

Also, external force need to be under the following six categories:

1. The head being struck by an object

2. The head striking an object

3. Acceleration/deceleration of the brain without direct external impact

4. A foreign body penetrating the brain

5. The force from a blast/explosion

6. Other forces yet to be defined

#trauma

Reference:

Menon DK, Schwab K, Wright DW, et al. Position statement: definition of traumatic brain injury. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2010; 91:1637.