Veterans Traumatic Brain Injuries and Neurosurgical Challenges: A Narrative Review

Abstract

Background

Veterans experience a high prevalence of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) due to combat-related incidents such as explosive blasts, penetrating injuries, and blunt force trauma. These military TBIs are often more complex than civilian TBIs, leading to increased long-term neurological consequences. Over 414,000 service members have been diagnosed with TBI since 2000, highlighting the need to understand the implications of these injuries and the neurosurgical challenges in their treatment.

Methods

This narrative review examines the literature on TBIs in veterans, focusing on the characteristics, health impacts, and neurosurgical challenges associated with these injuries. The review synthesizes relevant articles to provide an overview of the topic.

Results

Veterans with TBIs commonly experience cognitive deficits, including impairments in memory, executive functioning, processing speed, and visual disturbances. Research explores the relationship between TBI and neurodegenerative diseases, with some studies indicating a correlation between TBI severity and an increased risk of all-cause and vascular dementia. Managing TBIs in veterans presents neurosurgical challenges such as timely diagnosis and intervention, tailored treatment approaches due to injury variability (blast vs. blunt trauma), and co-occurring conditions like PTSD and depression. Initial medical measures include osmotherapy, sedation, hyperventilation, oxygenation, control of temperature and infection. In specific scenarios, an external ventricular drain (EVD) may be necessary to drain cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).

Conclusion

Addressing TBIs in veterans necessitates a multidisciplinary approach with timely neurosurgical interventions, comprehensive rehabilitation, and mental health support. Future research should develop targeted treatments and explore novel technologies to improve recovery outcomes. Clinicians should prioritize early screening for TBI and co-occurring conditions, while policymakers should improve access to specialized TBI care, ultimately enhancing veterans' long-term quality of life.