Head injuries.

Abstract

Between 3/4 and 1 million individuals attend accident and emergency departments in the UK with head injuries each year. About 150000 200000 are admitted to hospital although 70% stay for less than 48 hours. Between 7000 and 10000 patients may be admitted to neurosurgical units. About 2500 3000 cases have surgically significant haematomas of which about 1/4 are extradural collections. Up to 5000 patients will die each year from their injuries. Survivors with severe permanent disability number some 75000 in the community. Quite apart from the financial cost to the health service there is a tremendous social cost. The fact that only half of those suffering serious injury ever return to work is just one measure of the scale of this human tragedy.