Management of older adults after mild head trauma in an oral and maxillofacial surgery clinic

Key summary points Aim To determine the intracranial pathologies and treatment outcome after mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) in patients aged ≥65 years referred to a clinic for oral and maxillofacial surgery. Findings Acute and delayed intracranial hemorrhage and mortality rates are low in older patients after mTBI. Factors that increase the risk of intracranial complications are a decreasing Glasgow Coma Scale score, loss of consciousness, amnesia, cephalgia, somnolence, dizziness, and nausea. These findings may be useful for indicating a repeat CT scan. Message Triage guidelines on screening and management of older patients with mTBI must be revised to improve patient outcomes.