Concussion, Diffuse Axonal Injury, and AIS4+ Head Injury in Motor Vehicle Crashes

Purpose: This is a descriptive study of the annual incidence of brain injuries in motor vehicle crashes by type, seat belt use, and crash severity (delta V) using national accident data. The risk for concussion, diffuse axonal injury (DAI), and severe head injury was determined. Methods: 1994–2011 NASS-CDS was analyzed to estimate the number of brain injuries annually in nonejected adults involved in motor vehicle crashes. Crashes were grouped by front, side, rear, and rollover, and the effect of belt use was investigated. Light vehicles were included with model year 1994+. Head injuries were identified as concussion, DAI, severe head injury (Abbreviated Injury Scale [AIS] 4+), and skull fracture. The annual incidence, risk, and rate for different types of head injury were estimated with standard errors. Results: Motor vehicle crashes involved 33,191 ± 7,815 occupants with concussion, 5,665 ± 996 with AIS 4+ head injuries, 986 ± 446 with DAI, and 3,300 ± 531 with skull fracture annually. The risk was 1.64 ± 0.39% for concussion, 0.28 ± 0.05% for severe head injury (AIS 4+), 0.05 ± 0.02% for DAI, and 0.16 ± 0.03% for skull fracture in tow-away crashes. The risk for severe head injury (AIS 4+) was highest in rollovers (0.74 ± 0.16%) and lowest in rear impacts (0.17 ± 0.05%). Head injury risk depended on seat belt use, crash type, and crash severity (delta V). Seat belt use lowered the risk for AIS 4+ head injury by 74.8% and skull fracture by 73.2%. Conclusions: Concussions occur in about one out of 61 occupants in tow-away crashes. The risk was highest in rollover crashes (4.73 ± 1.09%) and it was reduced 69.2% by seat belt use. Severe brain injuries occurred less often and the risk was also reduced by seat belt use.

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