- With Mayo Clinic neurologist
Jerry W. Swanson, M.D.
read biographyclose windowBiography of
Jerry W. Swanson, M.D.
Jerry W. Swanson, M.D.
Dr. Jerry Swanson is a board-certified neurologist at Mayo Clinic and is a professor of neurology at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine. He has a special interest in headache disorders and medical education.
Dr. Swanson, a Lacon, Ill., native, was appointed to the Mayo Clinic staff in 1982 and works in the Department of Neurology with about 90 other physicians. He formerly chaired the Headache Division in the Neurology Department at Mayo Clinic and works with headache subspecialists around the world. He has published and lectured widely on headache disorders. He also serves as Assistant Dean for Assessment in Mayo Medical School.
"In a manner similar to the printing press, Internet technology enables the unprecedented ability to communicate with the global community about health information," Dr. Swanson says. "There is no doubt that the knowledgeable individual contributes greatly to his or her own health care, and now we can share information much more widely."
"There is much information already available about health care on the Internet. Unfortunately, much of it is not founded on sound principles. It is exciting to be a part of the MayoClinic.com team and contribute to the creation of a reliable and timely health resource."
Dr. Swanson is the neurology editor for "Mayo Clinic Family Health Book" and has reviewed articles for "Mayo Clinic Health Letter" and "Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource." He is also editor-in-chief of the "Mayo Clinic on Headache" book, published in 2004. In 2008 the magazine "Women's Health" named him one of America's Top Doctors for Women.
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Question
Bump on the head: When is it a serious head injury?
Recently, my daughter got kicked in the head during a soccer game. She seemed fine at the time but later developed a sizable lump on her forehead. Is this a concern?
Answer
from Jerry W. Swanson, M.D.
Probably not. Head trauma is a common concern for parents, but not every bump on the head results in serious injury.
The forehead and scalp have an abundant blood supply. As a result, any injury to these areas often results in bleeding under the skin. When the bleeding is restricted to one area, it causes bruising and swelling. Doctors refer to this as a hematoma.
Keep in mind that the size of the swelling isn't necessarily an indication of the severity of the head injury. Even a minor head bump can cause a large swelling. If you're concerned about your child's head injury, even if it seems minor, contact your doctor.
When to see a doctor
Occasionally, a blow to the head may be severe enough to cause bleeding in or around the brain. This type of bleeding can cause an intracranial hematoma, a serious condition that puts pressure on the brain. Seek immediate medical attention if your child exhibits the following signs or symptoms after a head injury:
- Persistent or worsening headache
- Confusion
- Imbalance
- Vomiting
- Mood changes
- Unconsciousness
Although a concussion is unlikely with a hematoma, seek immediate medical attention if your child has memory loss or confusion after a head injury.
- Stevenson KL, et al. Pediatric sports-related head injuries. In: DeLee JC, et al. DeLee and Drez's Orthopaedic Sports Medicine: Principals and Practice. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Elsevier Saunders; 2003. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/127509819-8/0/1103/447.html?tocnode=50814880&fromURL=447.html#4-u1.0-B0-7216-8845-4..50021-1--subchapter2_1617. Accessed March 23, 2009.
- Ahn ES, et al. Intracranial epidural hematoma in children: Clinical features, evaluation and management. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed March 23, 2009.
- Schutzman S. Minor head injury in infants and children. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed March 24, 2009.
- Mami AG, et al. Management of mild head injury in the pediatric patient. Advances in Pediatrics. 2008;55:385.
