Position statement: definition of traumatic brain injury

Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2010 Nov;91(11):1637-40. doi: 10.1016/j.apmr.2010.05.017.

Abstract

A clear, concise definition of traumatic brain injury (TBI) is fundamental for reporting, comparison, and interpretation of studies on TBI. Changing epidemiologic patterns, an increasing recognition of significance of mild TBI, and a better understanding of the subtler neurocognitive neuroaffective deficits that may result from these injuries make this need even more critical. The Demographics and Clinical Assessment Working Group of the International and Interagency Initiative toward Common Data Elements for Research on Traumatic Brain Injury and Psychological Health has therefore formed an expert group that proposes the following definition: In this article, we discuss criteria for considering or establishing a diagnosis of TBI, with a particular focus on the problems how a diagnosis of TBI can be made when patients present late after injury and how mild TBI may be differentiated from non-TBI causes with similar symptoms. Technologic advances in magnetic resonance imaging and the development of biomarkers offer potential for improving diagnostic accuracy in these situations.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Biomedical Research / methods*
  • Brain Injuries* / diagnosis
  • Brain Injuries* / epidemiology
  • Brain Injuries* / rehabilitation
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Diagnostic Imaging / methods*
  • Disability Evaluation*
  • Disease Progression
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Prognosis
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / diagnosis*
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / epidemiology
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / rehabilitation
  • Trauma Severity Indices
  • United Kingdom / epidemiology