Cerebral contusion (bruising of the brain)

Head | Neurology | Cerebral contusion (bruising of the brain) (Disease)


Description

Cerebral contusion is a form of traumatic brain injury, is a bruise of the brain tissue. Traumatic brain injury usually results from a violent blow or jolt to the head that causes the brain to collide with the inside of the skull.

The signs and symptoms of a contusion include severe headache, dizziness, vomiting, increased size of one pupil or sudden weakness in an arm or leg, restlessness, agitation or irritability, memory loss, difficulty with memory, vision, speech, hearing, managing emotions, and thinking.

As the brain tissue swells, the person may feel increasingly drowsy or confused. Extensive contusion associated with subdural hematoma is called lobe. Cases of a burst frontal or temporal lobe are associated with high mortality and morbidity.

Causes and Risk factors

The most common causes of contusion include a blow to the head from a motor vehicle crash, fall or assault. People at higher risk are those who have difficulty walking and fall often, those who are active in high impact contact sports and people who are taking blood thinners, such as coumadin.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Diagnosis test include: Computer Tomography scan (CT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). The goal of the treatment is to prevent swelling. Measures to avoid swelling include prevention of hypotension, hyponatremia and hypercapnia. Surgery can be necessary to reduce increase intracranial pressure. ...