What does "secondary injury" in the context of traumatic brain injury (TBI) refer to?

Secondary injury in the context of traumatic brain injury (TBI) refers to the damage that occurs after the initial impact. This type of injury can manifest due to various physiological processes, including inflammation, reduced blood flow, and lack of oxygen to brain tissues. Following the primary injury, the brain may experience a cascade of cellular and metabolic events that can exacerbate the damage. For example, the initial impact can lead to swelling and increased intracranial pressure, which may further compromise brain function by limiting blood flow and oxygen delivery.

In contrast, immediate damage from the impact relates to the primary injury, which is the initial trauma caused by the accident. Long-term effects of the injury on cognition describe the lasting consequences that may arise after the injury has occurred but do not involve the immediate biological processes that occur following the insult. Lastly, physical injuries unrelated to the brain do not pertain to the context of TBI as they involve other body systems or structures. Understanding these distinctions is crucial in managing and rehabilitating individuals who have sustained a TBI.