Mild Traumatic Brain Injury including Concussion

Mild TBI is a commonly encountered clinical challenge. This Element provides a structured approach to aid its diagnosis and management.

Most traumatic brain injury (TBI) cases are considered mild. Prognosis in mild TBI is generally good, but disabling persistent symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, affective and cognitive issues are common. A focussed assessment tailored to each individual symptom is crucial for management.Most traumatic brain injury (TBI) cases are considered mild. Precise definitions vary, but typically, loss of consciousness and post-traumatic amnesia duration is brief (e.g. <30 minutes and <24 hours respectively), and standard imaging is normal. Prognosis in mild TBI is generally good, but disabling persistent symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, affective and cognitive issues are common. A focussed assessment tailored to each individual symptom is crucial for management. Advanced MRI and blood-based biomarkers of mild TBI are emerging and are likely to play an increasingly important role in the assessment of patients following a head injury.