Links between traumatic brain injury and ballistic pressure waves originating in the thoracic cavity and extremities.
OBJECTIVE
Identifying patients at risk of traumatic brain injury (TBI) is important because research suggests prophylactic treatments to reduce risk of long-term sequelae.


METHODS
This review considers results from the lateral fluid percussion model of TBI, ballistic experiments in animal models and analyses of human studies.


RESULTS
Taken together, these results support the hypothesis that bullet impacts distant from the brain produce pressure waves that travel to the brain and can retain sufficient magnitude to induce brain injury.


CONCLUSIONS
The link to long-term sequelae could be investigated via epidemiological studies of patients who were gunshot in the chest to determine whether they experience elevated rates of epilepsy and other neurological sequelae.
Courtney
Amy
A
Department of Physics, United States Military Academy, West Point, NY 10996, USA. amy_courtney@post.harvard.edu
Courtney
Michael
M
D001134:Arm Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001469:Barotrauma / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D044709:Forensic Ballistics; D006801:Humans; D007869:Leg Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011312:Pressure; D013898:Thoracic Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D014948:Wounds, Gunshot / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology