Mild head injury: neuropathology, sequelae, measurement and recovery

Head injuries are common in industrialized countries and the majority of them are defined as 'minor' or 'mild' injuries (MHI). These terms, however, can be misleading because the sequelae that often follow such injuries can cause significant detriment to psychosocial and interpersonal functioning Clinical psychologists in most areas of specialism are likely to encounter MHI because of their high frequency and the types of problems they can cause. An overview of the body of knowledge on this subject is therefore of some importance. This paper reviews the literature concerning the neuropathology, measurement, sequelae and recovery of MHI. The following subjects are addressed: (i) the relationship between the neuropathology of severe head injury and the neuropathology of MHI; (ii) the limitations of traditional measures of head injury severity (e.g. post-traumatic amnesia) when applied to MHI; (iii) factors relevant to the recovery of post-concussion symptoms following MHI; and (iv) intervention and treatment following MHI.