Differential Diagnosis for a Fall with a Head Injury
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Concussion: This is the most common head injury resulting from a fall, especially if the individual hit their head on the ground or an object. A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury caused by a blow to the head or body, a fall, or another injury that jars or shakes the brain inside the skull.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Laceration or Scalp Injury: Given the mechanism of injury, it's plausible that the individual sustained a cut or other injury to the scalp, which could require suturing or further treatment.
- Subdural Hematoma: A fall can cause bleeding between the brain and the skull, leading to a subdural hematoma. This condition may present with symptoms such as headache, confusion, and in severe cases, loss of consciousness.
- Skull Fracture: A direct blow to the head can result in a fracture of the skull, which may be associated with other injuries such as epidural or subdural hematomas.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Epidural Hematoma: Although less common than subdural hematomas, epidural hematomas are life-threatening and require immediate surgical intervention. They are characterized by bleeding between the inner surface of the skull and the dura mater, often due to a fracture of the temporal bone.
- Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: Bleeding into the space surrounding the brain (subarachnoid space) can occur due to trauma and may present with sudden, severe headache, among other symptoms.
- Cervical Spine Injury: Falls can also result in injuries to the neck, including fractures or ligamentous injuries of the cervical spine, which could lead to spinal cord damage if not promptly recognized and treated.
Rare Diagnoses
- Traumatic Arteriovenous Fistula: A rare complication of head trauma where an abnormal connection forms between arteries and veins, potentially leading to neurological symptoms or further complications.
- Penetrating Head Injury: Depending on the circumstances of the fall, there's a small chance of a penetrating injury if the individual's head came into contact with a sharp object.
- Cerebral Contusion: Direct injury to the brain tissue can cause bruising (contusion) of the brain, which may not always be immediately apparent but can lead to significant neurological deficits.