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Secondary complications

Authoring team

Secondary complications of head injury may occur at any time after the initial lesion. They are preventable and the preclusion of such problems is the aim of head injury management. Complications include:

  • intracranial haematoma - 16% extradural, 22% pure subdural, 54% mixed intracerebral and subdural, 8% mixed extradural and intradural

  • cerebral swelling - associated with vasodilatation and cerebral oedema; may occur without intracranial haematoma

  • raised intracranial pressure causing cerebral herniation

  • cerebral ischaemia - results from hypoxia or from impaired perfusion due to raised intracranial pressure and hypotension. Note that autoregulation is often impaired in head injury.

  • infection resulting in cerebral abscess and meningitis

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The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

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