[Head trauma, anatomy and physiopathology, clinical and paraclinical diagnoses]. / Traumatismes crâniens, anatomie et physiopathologie, diagnostics cliniques et para-cliniques.

The brain, situated in the skull, can suffer a trauma through direct or indirect shocks. Primary and secondary lesions determine the evolution of the trauma. The initial clinical assessment and repeated clinical examinations are the basis of the monitoring. The diagnosis of any head lesion is made by CT-scan. A head injury must always be considered to be associated with other lesions until there is evidence to the contrary.

[Epidemiology of traumatic head injuries]. / Epidémiologie des traumatismes crâniens.

Head injuries are a major public health problem the incidence of which is difficult to compare across the world. Accidents on the public highway, falls and assaults are the most frequent etiologies. The financial and social cost is significant and underestimated.

[From emergency services to neurosurgical intensive care, the role of the nurse in neurosurgery]. / Des urgences à la réanimation neurochirurgicale, le rôle de l'infirmière en neurochirurgie.

Treating a patient with a head injury requires a full general assessment, a rigorous evaluation of the severity of the trauma and the prevention of brain insults of systemic origin. Monitoring by the nurse is essential and determines the carrying out of additional tests. She must look out for neurological deterioration and prepare the patient and his or her family for potential sequelae.

[Care of the tracheostomy in brain injury patients]. / Prise charge des trachéotomies chez les cérébrolésés.

The evolution of a patient suffering from a serious head injury can require the placement of a tracheotomy. This helps with respirator weaning and usually enables the patient to be moved from the neurosurgical intensive care ward to the neurosurgery ward. Patients fitted with a tracheotomy will therefore be cared for by post-intensive care neurological rehabilitation departments.