Statistics reveal that traumatic brain injuries are the world’s leading cause of death or physical handicap in children and young people and the explanation for about half of accidental deaths.
The three main causes of fractures and injuries to the brain and spine are traffic accidents, falls and impacts suffered in sports and recreational activities, home and work accidents, and physical assaults.
In Costa Rica, in particular, skull fractures caused by traffic accidents reach dramatic numbers and the consequences are as devastating for people who lose a loved one as for survivors who are left with serious and permanent sequelae.
According to data from the Road Safety Council (Cosevi), the highest incidence of deaths from traffic accidents occurs in the age group between 20 and 44 years old, and the worst part is carried by motorcyclists and car drivers. They are followed by pedestrians, cyclists, car companions and motorcycle companions.
Unlike traffic accidents, which mainly affect young people, injuries from falls are more common among people over 70 years of age, due to walking difficulties, dizziness, cognitive disorders and various neuropathies.
What to do in case of brain trauma?
Neurosurgery specialists must assess the severity of the damage. A simple neurological examination allows us to define mild cases, when the alterations do not affect the health of the patient.
In moderate cases, we prescribe observation of the patient for a reasonable period of time and perform brain imaging studies to determine whether there are contusions of the brain or intracerebral hematomas that require surgical intervention.
We analyze the results of the images seriously, to decide the appropriate treatment. If we detect that the intracranial pressure is increasing, the surgical intervention becomes a medical emergency.
The most delicate cases, when the patient is in a coma, for example, require care in an intensive care room, equipped with the necessary instruments to sustain life, while the diagnosis is made and the most convenient treatment is chosen.
As a specialist in neurology, I have the knowledge, experience, the support of professional and technological equipment and the right environment to provide trauma surgery services in Costa Rica. Request information or an appointment, we can help you.
