Traumatic Brain Injury in a Military Operational Setting (Le traumatisme cranien dans un cadre militaire operationnel)
Abstract
Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (MTBI), also known as concussion, as a consequence of battlefield blast exposure or blunt force trauma has been of increasing concern to militaries during recent conflicts. This concern is due to the frequency of exposure to improvised explosive devices for forces engaged in operations both in Iraq and Afghanistan coupled with the recognition that MTBI may go unreported or undetected. Some have postulated that the injury cascade and natural history of blast-induced MTBI differs from that which occurs from impact injuries more typically seen in civilian settings. To date, there have been no controlled studies to confirm or refute this. Consequently, this Task Group was formed in 2009 with the objectives of providing some clarity to military medical leadership to inform their decisions in the management of deployment-related MTBI. The objectives of this report were to: 1) Describe current existing clinical practice for all participating NATO Nations; 2) To identify existing gaps in knowledge; 3) Provide a summary of current research projects and predicted target dates for completion; and finally, 4) Elucidate principles for best practices. It is hoped that this report will serve as a reference point for other NATO Nations when considering implementing or changing existing policies aimed at optimizing the management of this injury.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2015
- Accession Number
- ADA623039
Entities
Organizations
- NATO Science and Technology Organization