Open Head Brain Injury

An open head injury is when an outside object penetrates the skull. It can also be the result of a broken skull. An open head injury can cause direct trauma to the brain and lead to infection as a result of the open wound. Open head injuries can be divided into two categories.

• Skull Fractures: These are breaks or cracks in the skull. Generally, a piece of the bone from the skull pushes into the brain which can lead to serious personal injury.
• Penetration: Penetrating injuries occur when an object enters the skull from the outside. This can cause direct trauma to the skull, brain, and/or brain stem. These injures are commonly the result of gun shot wounds, automobile accidents, and construction site accidents.