TBI

Medical abbreviation · Neurology

TBI
Stands forTraumatic brain injury
CategoriesMedical

TBI stands for Traumatic brain injury, a neurology abbreviation.

Disruption of brain function caused by an external force, such as a blow, jolt or penetrating injury to the head, ranging from mild concussion to coma and death. Falls and motor vehicle crashes are the leading causes, and TBI is a major cause of death and disability among young adults.

Example: Unhelmeted motorcycle crash, GCS 7: severe TBI, intubated and ICP monitor placed.

Usage notes

Severity is traditionally classified by the Glasgow Coma Scale after resuscitation: mild 13 to 15, moderate 9 to 12, severe 3 to 8. The Brain Trauma Foundation guidelines direct care in severe TBI, including intracranial pressure targets and avoiding low blood pressure and low oxygen. Military personnel exposed to blasts have high rates of TBI, which gained attention during the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

More neurology abbreviations

  • SMA – Spinal muscular atrophy
  • SPMS – Secondary progressive multiple sclerosis
  • SRS – Stereotactic radiosurgery
  • SSEP – Somatosensory evoked potentials
  • SUDEP – Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy
  • Sz – Seizure
  • TCD – Transcranial Doppler
  • TGA – Transient global amnesia
  • TIA – Transient ischemic attack
  • TLE – Temporal lobe epilepsy
  • TM – Transverse myelitis
  • TN – Trigeminal neuralgia

See all 131 neurology abbreviations →

Edited by the AbbreviationList.com team. Spotted an error or a missing meaning? Contact us.

This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.