Monthly Archives: January 2010
Clinical exam and CT scan recommended…
In the trauma center, a common approach to diagnosing cervical spine injury is the clinical exam and, if needed, an additional plain radiograph. However, plain radiologic screening has a high false negative rate (the chance of missing an actual injury). The CT scan has been considered a much more sensitive tool for the diagnosis of cervical spine injury.
Women and traumatic brain injury.
Women are more likely to be depressed in the early stages of traumatic brain injury.
An article by Michigan researchers in The Journal of Neuroscience Nursing recently reported that women are more likely than men to suffer from depression after traumatic brain injury. Additionally, women are more likely than men to have post-traumatic difficulties with memory, communication, body pains, and control of body movements.
Health Care Reform Update
On December 24, 2009, the Senate advanced its version of health care reform, opening the doors for negotiation with the House to reconcile differences between the two bills.
This week, negotiators worked to arrive at an agreement in principle to meld the bills, in the hope that a product be brought to the House floor this month. (CQ)
Attorney Randall H. Scarlett of San Francisco Testifies Before the California Senate Health Committee
San Francisco based trial lawyer Randall H. Scarlett, principal of The Scarlett Law Group, testifies before the California Senate Health Committee with Recommendations Regarding State Facilitated Treatment of California Survivors of Traumatic Brain Injury
For the first time in California’s history, the Senate Health Committee undertook extensive preliminary hearings yesterday on the issue of Traumatic Brain Injury and its impact, fiscally and otherwise, on the State of California. These historic hearings involved approximately two hours of testimony and presentation by physicians and by members of the California Brain Injury Association. The hearings, promised to be the first in a number of educational and exploratory hearings on Traumatic Brain Injury, were telling as to the staggering costs associated with the treatment of survivors of Traumatic Brain Injury.
For a view of the complete hearings please visit the following link:
The hearings involved the testimony of several board members of the California Brain Injury Association, including Dr. Mark Ashley, Dr. David Hovda, Sharon Grandinette, and Randall H. Scarlett. The California Brain Injury Association also invited Dave Woodruff, co-founder of the Bob Woodruff Foundation (and older brother of Bob Woodruff) in order to address Traumatic Brain Injury issues relative California’s returning veterans.
Who is more likely to get depression after traumatic brain injury?
Depression is a common complication following traumatic brain injury and it affects a person’s ability to function well. Depression may also lead to problems with sleep, memory, and social skills—creating a complicated tangle of post-traumatic symptoms. Past research has shown conflicting evidence about the relationship between depression and brain injury, especially when addressing a history of depression prior to injury.
CT scan is not a good predictor of outcome in mild traumatic brain injury.
Traumatic Axonal injury associated with mild traumatic brain injury can be either hemorrhagic or non-hemorrhagic. While the axons themselves do not necessarily bleed when torn, small vessels in the vicinity may. The below article discusses the utility of CT scan as it applies to outcome and predictive outcome in mTBI. The authors confirm that other factors lead to a more accurate prognosis than CT scan. In fact, though not discussed, T-3 MRI will, in virtually all cases, demonstrate structural abnormality more accurately than CT scan in the mTBI case.
URGENT – CALL TO ACTION
In a process that has taken more than 3 years to accomplish, California Brain Injury Association (CALBIA) has arranged for Senate Hearings before the following committees to educate our State Senators about brain injury. Our goal is to secure additional hearings which will lead to the introduction of legislation and address the many health care issues that impact persons with brain injury.
To view the full PDF click here.
