Closed Head Injury Essay
According to Peitzman et al., 2008, a plain-film radiograph (i.e., skull x-ray studies) has limited indications in patients with blunt head injury. Plain films are sometimes indicated for penetrating injuries of the skull to determinate the course, location, or a number of gunshots or foreign body fragment, as well as possible depressed skull fragment.
Patient with a significant head injury, history of loss of consciousness (LOC), or postconcussive sequelae required immediate evaluation by CT scan. CT scan of the brain should be the initial screening tool for patient with symptoms indicating moderate to high risk of closed head injury. Technically, the CT scan images should be displayed with three windows: brain (shows edema, gray-white interface, ventricles, and cistern), bone …show more content…
Subdural hematomas result from the dissection of blood from ruptured veins that bridge through the subdural space. These hematomas are generally located between the dura and the arachnoid membrane. The typical subdural hematoma is a crescent-shaped fluid collection that conforms to the calvarium and underlying cerebral cortex. Recognition of atypical subdural hematomas is sometimes aided by coronal CT scan or repeat CT scan with enhancement.
d. Shear injury or diffuse axonal injury (DAI). Most brain parenchymal injuries are caused by shear-strain lesions; multiple and bilateral injuries are common. Linear and rotational acceleration-deceleration mechanism because shearing along interfaces of tissue of different densities, such as CSF and brain as well as gray-white junctions with a relatively normal CT study, the possibility of diffuse brain injury (or cerebrovascular injury) should be considered. MRI is more accurate in diagnosing diffuse axonal brain injury.
e. Cerebral contusions and intraparenchymal hematomas are relatively common findings seen on brain CT after injury. Such injuries can coalesce or enlarge. Routine follow-up CT is recommended in these patients within 24 to 48
Patient with a significant head injury, history of loss of consciousness (LOC), or postconcussive sequelae required immediate evaluation by CT scan. CT scan of the brain should be the initial screening tool for patient with symptoms indicating moderate to high risk of closed head injury. Technically, the CT scan images should be displayed with three windows: brain (shows edema, gray-white interface, ventricles, and cistern), bone …show more content…
Subdural hematomas result from the dissection of blood from ruptured veins that bridge through the subdural space. These hematomas are generally located between the dura and the arachnoid membrane. The typical subdural hematoma is a crescent-shaped fluid collection that conforms to the calvarium and underlying cerebral cortex. Recognition of atypical subdural hematomas is sometimes aided by coronal CT scan or repeat CT scan with enhancement.
d. Shear injury or diffuse axonal injury (DAI). Most brain parenchymal injuries are caused by shear-strain lesions; multiple and bilateral injuries are common. Linear and rotational acceleration-deceleration mechanism because shearing along interfaces of tissue of different densities, such as CSF and brain as well as gray-white junctions with a relatively normal CT study, the possibility of diffuse brain injury (or cerebrovascular injury) should be considered. MRI is more accurate in diagnosing diffuse axonal brain injury.
e. Cerebral contusions and intraparenchymal hematomas are relatively common findings seen on brain CT after injury. Such injuries can coalesce or enlarge. Routine follow-up CT is recommended in these patients within 24 to 48