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Updated: May 5, 2026
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Controlled Cortical Impact Model for Traumatic Brain Injury
Published on: August 5, 2014
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Extracranial Effects of Traumatic Brain Injury: A Narrative Review
Nathan K Evanson1,2,3, Pratyusha Veldhi4, Caitlyn Scherpenberg1
1Division of Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA.
Clinics and Practice
|March 26, 2025
Summary
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) causes widespread extracranial effects impacting multiple body systems. Awareness of these systemic impacts is crucial for effective acute, critical, and chronic TBI care.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Critical Care Medicine
- Systemic Physiology
Background:
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI) frequently co-occurs with other injuries and comorbidities.
- Even isolated TBI can induce dysfunction in multiple organ systems beyond the central nervous system.
- Extracranial effects of TBI impact the autonomic nervous, cardiovascular, renal, pulmonary, immune, gastrointestinal, and hemostasis systems, alongside metabolic alterations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the extracranial effects of TBI on various body systems.
- To contextualize these systemic effects with treatment considerations for TBI patients.
Main Methods:
- This is a review article.
- It synthesizes existing literature on the systemic consequences of TBI.
Main Results:
- TBI significantly affects multiple organ systems, including autonomic, cardiovascular, renal, pulmonary, immune, and gastrointestinal functions.
- Systemic metabolism is notably altered following TBI.
- Hemostasis is also impacted by TBI.
Conclusions:
- Systemic effects of TBI are critical for acute and critical care management, including pharmacologic interventions.
- Extracranial TBI effects influence treatment decisions in both acute and chronic TBI care, as well as routine medical care for chronic TBI patients.
- Clinicians and researchers must consider these extracranial effects in pathology, treatment planning, and research interpretation.
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