title: Initial assessment and management of the severely head-injured patient.
abstract: Head injuries account for a significant proportion of acute hospital admissions. The first few hours after a serious head injury are extremely important, particularly in terms of reducing possible secondary injuries. This article addresses the management problems in this group of patients during this initial critical period.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Surgery, Frenchay Hospital, Bristol.
authors.forename: C L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Chandler
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Cummins
mesh_terms: D001812:Blood-Brain Barrier; D001921:Brain / Q000098:blood supply; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D003128:Coma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D015600:Glasgow Coma Scale; D006408:Hematoma, Subdural / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000628:therapy; D007385:Intermittent Positive-Pressure Ventilation; D011379:Prognosis; D012123:Pulmonary Ventilation; D012151:Resuscitation; D012720:Severity of Illness Index