CAISS - Head (Cranium and Brain) Exam
Questions and Answers with Verified
Solutions | Latest Updated 2026
Which two descriptors do you Injuries to the Head NFS (Died of head
used injury
when only vague information is without further substantiation of injuries or
available (ex. closed head injury or no
TBI)? Note: These do not specify autopsy confirmation of specific injuries)
severity Head Injury NFS (involving only headache)
What two elements must "Crush Massive destruction of skull AND
injury" involve? intracranial
contents
What two elements must "Avulsive Massive loss of skull AND intracranial
injury" involve? contents
Where to code a penetrating injury The specific anatomical site
to if site is known? (example - brain stem, cerebellum or
cerebrum)
Where to code a penetrating injury If the skull is not penetrated, code as scalp
to if site is not known or more than laceration
one site is injured? Code as a single GSW with both entry and
exit
wounds as one injury
, Do soft tissue injuries get assigned No, assign to External Region for ISS
to
the Head Region for ISS?
Types of soft tissue injuries in the abrasion, contusion, laceration, avulsion
Head Region
Other name for scalp contusion Subgaleal hematoma
Are vessel injuries coded Separately
separately Exceptions: crush-type injury, avulsive
from or with other injuries to the injury, major
brain? penetrating injury to the skull, or
penetrating injury
to the brain stem, cerebrum or cerebellum
which
includes all accompanying brain injuries
How to code a vessel injury if a Code as Vascular injury in Head NFS
vessel is not named specifically
What does thrombosis include? Any injury to a vessel resulting in its
occlusion
(example- intimal tear or dissection)
Names of cerebral arteries Anterior cerebral artery
included Middle cerebral artery
in the Head Region Posterior cerebral artery
Vertebral artery
Questions and Answers with Verified
Solutions | Latest Updated 2026
Which two descriptors do you Injuries to the Head NFS (Died of head
used injury
when only vague information is without further substantiation of injuries or
available (ex. closed head injury or no
TBI)? Note: These do not specify autopsy confirmation of specific injuries)
severity Head Injury NFS (involving only headache)
What two elements must "Crush Massive destruction of skull AND
injury" involve? intracranial
contents
What two elements must "Avulsive Massive loss of skull AND intracranial
injury" involve? contents
Where to code a penetrating injury The specific anatomical site
to if site is known? (example - brain stem, cerebellum or
cerebrum)
Where to code a penetrating injury If the skull is not penetrated, code as scalp
to if site is not known or more than laceration
one site is injured? Code as a single GSW with both entry and
exit
wounds as one injury
, Do soft tissue injuries get assigned No, assign to External Region for ISS
to
the Head Region for ISS?
Types of soft tissue injuries in the abrasion, contusion, laceration, avulsion
Head Region
Other name for scalp contusion Subgaleal hematoma
Are vessel injuries coded Separately
separately Exceptions: crush-type injury, avulsive
from or with other injuries to the injury, major
brain? penetrating injury to the skull, or
penetrating injury
to the brain stem, cerebrum or cerebellum
which
includes all accompanying brain injuries
How to code a vessel injury if a Code as Vascular injury in Head NFS
vessel is not named specifically
What does thrombosis include? Any injury to a vessel resulting in its
occlusion
(example- intimal tear or dissection)
Names of cerebral arteries Anterior cerebral artery
included Middle cerebral artery
in the Head Region Posterior cerebral artery
Vertebral artery
