Management of TBI in Elderly Patients

Background: Traumatic brain injury is a major cause of hospitalization and death in elderly people. Age is an important factor contributing to the prognosis of TBI, with mortality rates increasing in every decade of life but there is no age threshold. Materials & Methods: PubMed, Elsevier, Cochrane.Results: Some papers have shown a poor prognosis for elderly patients with TBI, however more recent studies have found that more aggressive treatment may result in more favorable outcome. Conclusion: TBI in elderly people seems to be a top culprit of death. The majority of TBIs in this group are caused by falls, and falls are most common in oldest age. Medical comorbid conditions are common in elderly patients and are frequently treated with anticoagulants and antiplatelet drugs. Traditionally thought to have poor outcome and most neurosurgeons avoid aggressive treatment in elderly patients. Recently more favorable prognosis have been detected among elderly patient with TBI managed more aggressive than the past.