Neurosurgery

Conditions

Brain Injury

Emory's traumatic brain injury (TBI) program is an acute rehabilitation program specifically geared toward comprehensive treatment and care for patients who have sustained traumatic brain injury. Patients treated by physicians of the TBI program typically have brain injuries sustained from an auto accident, fall, sports-related or other injury, or assault. Other conditions treated by doctors of the brain injury program include brain tumors, hypoxia, infections of the brain, or weakened vessels in the brain.

Treatment from the traumatic brain injury program usually follows patient stabilization in the emergency room. When a TBI occurs, it is important that a patient be seen with a traumatic brain injury specialist as soon as possible after vitals are assessed and stabilized.

Diagnosing Traumatic Brain Injuries

TBI diagnosis and treatment begins with a complete neurological evaluation. This allows doctors to rule out the need for neurosurgical treatment, such as that for hematomas, depressed skull fractures, and elevated intracrantial pressure (ICP).

X-rays, CT scans, and/or MRIs may be performed to determine if the bones of the skull are fractured and if bone fragments have penetrated brain tissue.

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Treatments

TBI treatment at Emory involves comprehensive treatment from multidisciplinary physician teams, state-of-the-art technology, and the highest quality patient care. Rehabilitation from TBIs at Emory utilizes a patient-family centered care approach to provide the best possible medical care.

Our traumatic brain injury program focuses on:

 

  • Medical management
  • Interdisciplinary intervention
  • Early involvement of family and friends
  • Peer support
  • Early comprehensive discharge planning
  • Restoration or adaptation of individual functional skills
  • Integration of these skills into effective behavioral routines for daily living
  • Development of coping strategies for patients and their families