Abstract

A retrospective review of bicycle-related head trauma in Madison, Wiconsin was carried out during the fair weather months of 1981-1984. One hundred and eighty-seven (187) cases of head injury were identified through review of emergency department and inpatient records. Thirty-three percent (33) of the cases had injuries of moderate severity and 3 sustained severe or life-threatening injuries. Thirty-two percent (32) had evidence of brain injury. Within the brain-injured group, 55 (93) had a concussion and 4 (7) had an abnormal computerized tomographic (CT) scan. One-hundred and four (56) of 187 patients were contacted for followup information. There was no significant association between type of collision and severity. Most serious injuries took place under daylight and dry conditions and did not involve motor vehicles. Only 1 of 104 respondents to the questionnaire was wearing a helmet at the time of injury. The results show that transient loss of consciousness or amnesia occurs commonly among bicycle riders who require emergency department treatment for head trauma. Verf.-Referat