Head injuries in the elderly.
Two hundred and sixty-three consecutive head-injured patients aged over 65 years, admitted to a neurosurgical service, are reported. In contrast to younger age group the main cause was falls concomitant with a high rate of cardiovascular pre-existing disorders. The distribution of causes and grim results justify, in our opinion, regarding head injury in the elderly as a distinct entity requiring special surgical, medical, organizational and ethical considerations.
Rakier
A
A
Department of Neurosurgery, Rambam (Maimonides) Medical Center, B. Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa.
Guilburd
J N
JN
Soustiel
J F
JF
Zaaroor
M
M
Feinsod
M
M
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001924:Brain Concussion / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000534:rehabilitation; D001925:Brain Damage, Chronic / Q000209:etiology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000534:rehabilitation; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000209:etiology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000534:rehabilitation; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012047:Rehabilitation Centers; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome