[Recommendation for an expanded classification with operational diagnostic criteria for craniocerebral trauma]

Neither nationally nor internationally is there today agreement on a classification of head injuries. The traditional system using the terms commotio/concussion, contusion and compression, as well as more functionally oriented classifications are in-adequate for present-day purposes. Furthermore, there is no conformity in evaluating the severity and duration of the posttraumatic disturbances of consciousness. None of the classifications in use today includes information on important details such as the type of head injury (closed or open), possible complications or the findings of modern neurophysiological investigation and neuroimaging procedures. The requirements which a modern classification system must meet are specified and a classification of head injuries with operational diagnostic criteria is proposed, which is intended to satisfy both clinical and scientific requirements.