Traumatic Brain Injury
Also written as: TBI — Traumatic Brain Injury
An acquired brain injury caused by an external mechanical force, resulting in temporary or permanent neurological dysfunction and commonly managed within rehabilitation medicine.
Full Definition
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) refers to brain dysfunction caused by an external force, such as a blow, jolt, or penetrating head injury. In rehabilitation medicine, TBI is classified by severity as mild, moderate, or severe, often using the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) and duration of post-traumatic amnesia (PTA). Rehabilitation documents relating to TBI should use the abbreviation TBI consistently after first-use expansion, and editors should be alert to distinctions between TBI and acquired brain injury (ABI) — the latter encompasses non-traumatic causes such as stroke or hypoxia. Cognitive, behavioral, and physical sequelae of TBI are all addressed within physiatric rehabilitation programs.
Usage
Usage note: TBI implies a traumatic (external force) cause; do not use interchangeably with acquired brain injury (ABI), which includes non-traumatic causes. Severity classifications (mild, moderate, severe) should be based on GCS, loss of consciousness duration, and PTA.
In Context
- "The patient was admitted to the brain injury rehabilitation unit following moderate traumatic brain injury (TBI) sustained in a motor vehicle accident." — Rehabilitation admission note
- "Cognitive rehabilitation strategies were central to the TBI management plan, targeting attention and memory deficits." — Neuropsychological rehabilitation report