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Posttraumatic movement disorders after moderate or mild head injury
J K Krauss1, R Tränkle, K H Kopp
1Department of Neurosurgery, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität, Freiburg, Germany.
Summary
Mild head injuries can cause movement disorders, like tremors, in over 10% of patients. Most of these posttraumatic movement disorders are temporary and not disabling, resolving within years of the head trauma.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Traumatology
Background:
- Head injuries, even mild ones, can have long-term neurological consequences.
- Posttraumatic movement disorders are a potential, though not well-documented, outcome of head trauma.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the incidence and characteristics of movement disorders following mild to moderate head injuries.
- To determine the persistence and severity of these posttraumatic movement disorders.
Main Methods:
- A follow-up study involving questionnaires, telephone interviews, and personal examinations was conducted.
- 158 patients with moderate or mild head injuries were assessed 4-6 years post-trauma.
Main Results:
- 10.1% of patients developed movement disorders, most commonly low-amplitude tremor.
- The majority of movement disorders were transient (7.6%), with only 2.6% persisting.
- Movement disorders were more frequent in patients with Glasgow Coma Scores of 9-14 compared to 15.
Conclusions:
- Mild to moderate head injuries can lead to transient posttraumatic movement disorders, primarily tremors.
- These disorders are generally not disabling and do not require medical intervention.
- Further research is needed to confirm the exact incidence, considering potential sample bias.