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Various Types of Traumatic Brain Injuries

There are many types of Washington D.C. traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). They can range from mild to severe; however, no matter how mild the TBI may seem, it is still a brain injury. You should always seek medical attention following a TBI. The various types of Washington D.C., Virginia and Maryland TBIs that may occur are:

Concussion:The most common and most minor type of traumatic brain injury is a concussion. A concussion is a head injury that results in a short loss of consciousness, but is commonly used to refer to any minor injury to the head or brain. Temporary disability may occur due to its symptoms, i.e. nausea, headache, dizziness, and memory disturbance, also known as post-concussion syndrome.

Diffuse axonal injury: Diffuse axonal injury (DAI) is one of the most common types of TBI, occurring in approximately half of all head trauma cases. It is also one of the most devastating, meaning that the brain injury occurs over a large portion of the brain. DAI is not caused by a direct head trauma, but rather from the rapid acceleration or deceleration of the head. These types of traumatic shearing forces commonly occur in auto accidents, falls, and assaults. DAI is typically the underlying cause of injury in shaken baby syndrome.

Brain contusion: Contusions are bruises of the brain that can occur with open or closed head injuries. Contusions can impair various brain functions, depending on the contusion's size and location. Larger contusions may cause brain edema and increased intracranial pressure (ICP). Constant observation following a TBI is important, as contusions may enlarge following the initial injury and can cause neurologic deterioration.

Hematomas: Hematomas are collections of blood in or around the brain. Hematomas can occur with open or closed head injuries and may be subdural, epidural or intracerebral.

• Subdural hematomas are collections of blood which form between the dura mater and the arachnoid mater (the outerand middle layersof the three layers of membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord). Blood gathers within the arachnoid mater and the dura mater, thus enveloping the brain. Subdural hemorrhages result from tears in veins that cross the subdural space and can cause an increase in intracranial pressure. There are two types of subdural hematomas:
  • Acute subdural hematomas are often life-threatening and are usually caused by head trauma in falls and motor vehicle crashes.
  • Chronic subdural hematomas occur most often in elderly patients in conjunction with antiplatelet or anticoagulant drugs. They may produce gradual symptoms over several weeks and are usually not deadly if treated.

• Epidural hematomas are less common than subdural hematomas. They are often caused by arterial trauma and are due to a buildup of blood between thedura mater and the skull.Epidural hematomas are potentially deadly because this buildup of blood may increase intracranial pressure and compress delicate brain tissue.
• Intracerebral hematomas are collections of blood that form within the brain. These hematomas are common after a severe head injury. Because intracerebral hematomas are caused by direct damage to the brain, surgery does not usually restore brain function. If surgery is an option, doctors must remove the overlying brain tissue in order to access the hematoma, which also contributes to a loss of brain function.
  

Traumatic brain injuries can be devastating to both the victim as well as their family. The cost of the care that is required following a TBI can cause a great deal of financial stress. If your loved one has suffered a Washington D.C., Maryland or Virginia TBI due to the negligence of another party, you need to speak with a Washington D.C. TBI attorney immediately. Contact the Zukerberg Law Center at (888) 473-1707 today.




The information contained in this website is not legal advice. Information contained in this website is provided by The Zukerberg Law Center, PLLC for informational purposes only. Receipt of this information, or contact via this web site, does not create an attorney-client relationship between any sender or recipient and the Zukerberg Law Center, PLLC.

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