Seizures after Very Mild Head or Spine Trauma

Abstract

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major cause of seizures in the general population. Several studies have shown an increased risk of epilepsy after traumatic brain injury, depending on risk factors, such as severity and time post trauma. The aim of our study was to evaluate the appearance of late seizures after a very mild head trauma or whiplash injury. All patients admitted to the emergency room after a very mild head trauma or whiplash injury during 2008-2010 were evaluated prospectively within 24 hours of the event and followed up 1 year later for evaluation of seizure appearance. The appearance of seizures in the head trauma or whiplash injury group was compared to a control group of orthopedic injury patients. A total of 2999 patients were included in the study--2005 patients with involvement of head and spine trauma and 994 in an orthopedic control group. Three patients (0.1%) out of the whole study group developed seizures: 2 (0.18%) in the head trauma group and 1 (0.1%) in the control group. The conclusion of the study was that post trauma seizure incidence is not significantly different in patients with very mild head or spine trauma and is similar respective to subjects with no non-head or cervical spine injury. This may have medico-legal repercussions.