The Journal of head trauma rehabilitation
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J Head Trauma Rehabil · Jan 2009
Comparative StudyTraumatic brain injury associated with combat ocular trauma.
To determine the impact of traumatic brain injury (TBI) on visual outcomes in combat ocular trauma (COT) and determine the association between TBI severity and types of ocular injuries. ⋯ Traumatic brain injury occurs in two thirds of all COT and ocular trauma is a common finding in all TBI cases. Closed-globe injuries are at highest risk for TBI while TBI does not appear to lead to poorer visual outcomes. Every patient with COT needs TBI screening. Those service members who are screened TBI positive need a referral to a TBI rehabilitation specialist.
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J Head Trauma Rehabil · Jan 2009
ReviewThe Veterans Health Administration's (VHA's) Polytrauma System of Care for mild traumatic brain injury: costs, benefits, and controversies.
The Veterans Health Administration's (VHA's) Polytrauma System of Care, developed in response to a new cohort of patients back from Iraq and Afghanistan, is described with particular focus on the assessment and treatment of mild traumatic brain injury (mild TBI). The development of systemwide TBI screening within the VHA has been an ambitious and historic undertaking. ⋯ The purpose of this article is to identify and discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the VHA's TBI clinical reminder and subsequent evaluation and treatment processes. Complicating factors such as increased media attention and other contextual factors are discussed.
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J Head Trauma Rehabil · Jan 2009
Traumatic brain injury screening: preliminary findings in a US Army Brigade Combat Team.
The objective of this article is to report the proportion of soldiers in a Brigade Combat Team (BCT) with at least 1 clinician-confirmed deployment-acquired traumatic brain injury (TBI) and to describe the nature of sequelae associated with such injuries. ⋯ Following deployment to Iraq, a clinician-confirmed TBI history was identified in 22.8% of soldiers from a BCT. Those with TBI were significantly more likely to report postinjury and postdeployment somatic and/or neuropsychiatric symptoms than those without this injury history. Overall, symptom endorsement decreased over time.