NMHM MARKS TRAUMATIC BRAIN IINJURY AWARENESS MONTH
March 2008 – The National Museum of Health and Medicine of the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, located on the campus of Walter Reed Army Medical Center, recognized Traumatic Brain Injury Awareness Month during March 2008. The exhibit was part of a series of occasional exhibits highlighting major monthly health awareness observances.
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is caused by a blow or jolt to the head, or a penetrating head injury that disrupts the normal function of the brain. Traumatic brain injuries may range from “mild” (a brief change in mental status or consciousness) to “severe” (an extended period of unconsciousness or amnesia after the injury.)
Some of the leading causes of traumatic brain injuries include falls, motor vehicle accidents, and assault by firearms. Signs and symptoms of TBI can be subtle and may not appear for days or weeks following an injury. A few symptoms include headaches, dizziness, and memory lapses.
Moderately to severely injured patients may receive rehabilitation that involves physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech/language therapy, medication, psychology/psychiatry therapies, and social support.
Some of the ways you can prevent traumatic brain injuries are by always wearing a seat belt in a motor vehicle and by wearing a helmet during recreational activities such as bicycling and contact sports.
This model of a skull from a soldier injured by an improvised explosive device (IED) was generated from data derived from a digital CAT scan of the patient. The data was imported into a program to create a virtual 3D model from the stack of segmented CAT-scan slices, which was then used to create the model in epoxy resin, one slice at a time, using a stereo lithography ‘printer.’ A physician used the model to plan surgical treatment, performed in November 2004, and make a mock-up for the plate to be implanted in the patient’s skull.
Recommended links:
Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Cente
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