Minor traumatic brain injury: review of clinical data and appropriate evaluation and treatment

The clinical entity of minor traumatic brain injury (MTBI) is secondary to signs and symptoms encompassing neuropathological, neurochemical, neurobehavioral, neuropsychological and behavioral deficits. The patients who suffer this disorder are often given little help, medically, secondary to issues regarding the perceived reality of the disorder. A few individuals deny the existence of MTBI. Some believe the symptom complex to be strictly functional, while others believe that spontaneous recovery will occur and no treatment is necessary. When discussing traumatic brain injury the descriptors, "mild, moderate, and severe," are used to describe the severity of the acute injury. These labels do not describe the severity of the sequelae nor are they indicative of the intensity of specific treatment. A clear understanding of MTBI, its sequelae and necessary treatment is imperative to insure timely intervention. Delay or lack of early intervention appears to be responsible for "persistent sequelae" in MTBI. This paper will describe various aspects of the etiology of MTBI, with recommended evaluation and treatment guidelines. A functional assessment scale specifically for persons with MTBI is also presented. Several case histories are included for illustration purposes.