Epidemiology of traumatic brain injury and lateral skull base injury in the United States

Overview

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major public health issue globally and in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) defines TBI as an insult (blow or bump to the head) or penetrating head injury affecting the normal function of the brain. TBI can vary in severity, and in the United States, the majority are mild and clinically often described as a “concussion.” Recent research over the past decade has demonstrated that there is a growing societal cost involved in the management of the long-term physical and psychosocial sequelae of TBI. Following a head injury, trauma may also occur to the lateral skull base, which is an area that includes critical neurovascular structures within the middle and posterior fossae and temporal bone, which, similar to TBI, may greatly affect quality of life. Given the rising incidence of TBI and growing public health concern, understanding the epidemiologic patterns of these types of injuries is important for identifying and managing populations at risk.