More head injuries in Afghanistan, Iraq push improvements in protective ge

[RamboLiberal]

http://www.estripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=20155

U.S. troops are suffering traumatic brain injuries in greater numbers in Iraq and Afghanistan than in previous wars, prompting studies on better helmets and improved medical treatment and recuperation care.

An area of scientific focus at the Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center, headquartered at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., is how many traumatic brain injuries, or TBI, are direct results from the shock wave of a blast, and not just from the head impacting with the ground or other head and brain injuries wounds caused by shrapnel, for example, said Laurie Ryan, the center’s assistant director for research.

In a preliminary study done among troops treated at Walter Reed, scientists analyzed 155 patients wounded in combat in Iraq to see if any showed signs of combat traumatic brain injury. Of the 155 troops, 96, or 62 percent, showed symptoms of minor to severe brain injuries. Of the 96, 88 likely had sustained an injury as a result of a blast, such as an explosion from a landmine, rocket propelled grenade or improvised explosive device, she said.

Ironically, the higher number of wounded might be the result of better protection for troops. “They’re surviving their injuries,” Ryan said. Physicians are treating more head and extremity wounds because troops are protected better by the new Interceptor flak vests, she said.