Neurotrauma

From car accidents to sports injuries, the head or spine can suffer what is called “neurotrauma” suddenly and seriously.

This can include concussions, traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and fractures of the skull and/or spinal column. If this happens, the Ayer Neuroscience Institute is ready to help with a team that includes neurosurgeons with advanced training in the diagnosis and treatment of all types of neurotrauma.

Screening & Diagnosing Neurotrauma

Most of the time, someone with a brain or spinal cord injury will come into the hospital through the Emergency Department and our neurosurgeons will be called to consult on the care plan.To help our diagnosis, we typically use diagnostic imaging technology like computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to better understand what is happening in the brain or spine.

To diagnose a TBI, we follow the following steps:

  • Conduct detailed neurological exams such as the Glasgow Coma Scale, a scoring system that helps us determine how serious an injury is by gauging the patient’s ability to follow directions, move the arms and legs, and blink.
  • Consult one of our neuropsychologists who can conduct a cognitive evaluation.
  • Collaborate with our physical and occupational therapists to evaluate your motor skills.

Treating Neurotrauma

Every injury to the brain and spine is different and Ayer neurosurgeons collaborate with neuropsychologists, neurologists, rehabilitation specialists, and others to create a tailored care plan that addresses the unique needs of each patient.

These plans are based on the type of injury a patient has and its severity. Mild injuries might just need to be watched for a period of time to make sure they improve, or physical, occupational, or speech therapy might be needed to help return a patient to full capabilities.

More severe forms of neurotrauma might require surgery. The Ayer Neuroscience Institute team offers a full range of surgical procedures to help neurotrauma patients, including:

  • Placement of external ventricular drains to remove cerebrospinal fluid from areas in the brain where it collected after an injury.
  • Monitoring of pressure in the skull.
  • Placement of a lumbar drain into the lower back to remove cerebrospinal fluid.
  • Craniotomy to remove a hematoma.
  • Craniofacial repair.
  • Repair of cerebral spinal fluid leak.
  • Closed or open reduction/traction for spine fractures.
  • Spinal decompression.
  • Spinal fusion.

Most people who suffer an injury to the brain or spine do improve with care, rehabilitation, and time. If you experience lingering symptoms once you go home, the Ayer Neuroscience Institute team and rehabilitation experts can continue to help you. Our ultimate goal is for you to enjoy a full, happy life.

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Meet our Neuro-Trauma Specialists:

Christina Abavana

4.8

Sleep Medicine

Medical Group The Ayer Neuroscience Institute
Fairfield, CT 06824
More Locations
Milford, CT 06461
Adebola Adeleke

 

Podiatry

Middlesex Orthopedic & Spine Associates
Middletown, CT 06457
More Locations
Hebron, CT 06248
Marlborough, CT 06447
Westbrook, CT 06498
Swetha Ade

 

Neurology

Medical Group The Ayer Neuroscience Institute Seizure and Epilepsy Center at Hartford Hospital
Hartford, CT 06106
More Locations
New Britain, CT 06052
Barbara Addi

 

Hematology / Oncology

Medical Group Hartford HealthCare Cancer Institute at St. Vincent's Medical Center
Bridgeport, CT 06606
Mahmoud Abdelghaffar

 

Anesthesiology

Integrated Anesthesia Associates, LLC
Hartford, CT 06106
Joseph Abreu

4.9

Cardiovascular Medicine

Medical Group Hartford HealthCare Heart & Vascular Institute at Charlotte Hungerford Hospital
Torrington, CT 06790
More Locations
Winsted, CT 06098
Aryeh Abeles

 

Rheumatology

Abeles & Abeles, MDs
Meriden, CT 06450
Olurotimi Adekolu

 

Pulmonary Medicine

Starling Physicians
Wethersfield, CT 06109
Sarah Adams

 

Neurosurgery

Medical Group Hartford HealthCare Medical Group at Hartford Hospital Department of Neurosurgery
Hartford, CT 06106
More Locations
Cheshire, CT 06410
Theresa Adams

 

Emergency Medicine

Medical Group Backus Hospital - Main
Norwich, CT 06360
Susan Adeife Lee

 

Pediatrics

The Pediatric Care Center, LLC
Bristol, CT 06010
Lincoln Abbott

 

Emergency Medicine

Medical Group Hartford Hospital Department of Emergency Medicine
Hartford, CT 06102
Allison Adajian

 

Vascular Surgery

Medical Group Hartford HealthCare Medical Group Specialty Care
Plainville, CT 06062
More Locations
Meriden, CT 06451
Jasmine Abbosh

 

Allergy & Immunology

Connecticut Asthma and Allergy Center, LLC
West Hartford, CT 06119
More Locations
Middletown, CT 06457
Robert Adamenko

 

Pediatrics

ProHealth Physicians, Inc.
Glastonbury, CT 06033
Jill Aboulian

4.8

Internal Medicine

Medical Group Hartford HealthCare Medical Group Primary Care
Wallingford, CT 06492
Khalid Abbed

4.9

Spine Surgery

Medical Group Spine Wellness Center
Westport, CT 06880
Charles Adelmann

 

Gastroenterology

Soundview Medical Associates, LLC
Wilton, CT 06897
Abera Abay

 

Gastroenterology

Connecticut GI, PC
Norwich, CT 06360
More Locations
Norwich, CT 06360
Adedayo Adetola

 

Internal Medicine

Physicians Alliance of Connecticut, LLC
New Haven, CT 06515
Celina Adams

4.9

Bariatric Surgery

Medical Group Hartford HealthCare Medical & Surgical Weight Loss
Uncasville, CT 06382
More Locations
Waterford, CT 06385
Suja Abraham

 

Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine

Medical Group Hartford HealthCare Medical Group at St. Vincent's Medical Center
Bridgeport, CT 06606
Hassana Addai-Boateng

 

Hospital Medicine

Medical Group Hartford HealthCare Medical Group at Hartford Hospital Department of Hospital Medicine
Hartford, CT 06106

Ayer Neuroscience Institute