The management of cranio-cerebral injuries

ABSTRACT

1. The main bulk of the lesions of the central nervous system that require emergency treatment are produced by trauma. However, there are other non-traumatic lesions that are also emergencies because they are capable of producing the death of the patient if not immediately treated, such as infections (brain abscess), neoplastic and vascular lesions2. Before treatment can be instituted the proper diagnosis must be established. The cerebral angiogram and the ventriculogram are two of the most helpful diagnostic procedures in these problems3. The basic principles in the management of acute head injuries remain unchanged. These are: treatment of shock, control of hemorrhage and provision of an adequate airway; these should receive priority before any other treatment4. Routine use of hypertonic solutions, hypothermia and steroids in acute cranio-cerebral injuries should be avoided because intracranial expanding hematomas