Systemic Manifestations of Traumatic Brain Injury

Abstract

Systemic manifestations of traumatic brain injury are common but are diagnosed less frequently in clinical practice. Most of the manifestations involve activation of the autonomic system or suppression of the immune response. Acute manifestations like adrenal insufficiency, ventricular dysfunction, neurogenic pulmonary edema, DIC, and electrolyte imbalances can be detrimental. The treatment of these conditions in the presence of TBI can be challenging as they can affect cerebral perfusion or oxygenation.

Though the effect of immune response within the brain following TBI has dual manifestations(neurotoxic and neuroprotective), TBI causes suppression of systemic immune response leading to an increase in the incidence and severity of infections. Deficiency of growth hormone and gonadotropins are common late endocrine manifestations after TBI.

Dysautonomia, sexual dysfunction, and heterotopic manifestations occur during the chronic phase