[Head injury in the elderly].
We report 281 consecutive admissions of head-injured patients over 65 years of age. 2/3 were males, as in younger age groups, despite the decreased activity and increased proportion of females among the elderly. The main causes of injury were falls (71.8%; mostly at home) and pedestrian accidents (20.6%). There was a high incidence of cardiovascular disease among the men. The unique set of causes and types of head injuries in this age group (1/3 chronic subdural hematomas, 1/3 cerebral contusions and 1/5 acute subdural hematomas), as well as the grim outcome, justify regarding head injury in the elderly as a special clinical entity. Its special medical, surgical, organizational and ethical aspects should be considered.
Rakier
A
A
Dept. of Neurosurgery, Rambam Medical Center, Haifa.
Soustiel
J F
JF
Gilburd
J
J
Zaaroor
M
M
Alkalai
N
N
Welblum
E
E
Feinsod
M
M
D000058:Accidental Falls; D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D000368:Aged; D001924:Brain Concussion / Q000209:etiology; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D006408:Hematoma, Subdural / Q000209:etiology; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007557:Israel / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care