Brain Contusion

The human brain is a very complex organ and is the center of the nervous system. The brain performs many vital functions and is one of the busiest organs in the human body. The brain is made up of millions of tiny brain cells called neurons that transmit and receive information to and from all parts of the body. Since the brain is a delicate organ it is encased in the hard skull to protect it from injuries and trauma. Inside the skull, the blood and cerebrospinal fluid cushion the brain from impacts. But there are a few times when the brain suffers from trauma or brain injury which can lead to various problems. One such disorder of the brain resulting due to a trauma is brain contusion.

Brain contusion, also known as cerebral contusion occurs due to a bruise or injury to a region of the brain. It is usually a form of traumatic brain injury which can lead to the leakage of small blood vessels in the brain resulting in the formation of blood clots. When there is an injury to the brain, it tends to bounce against the rigid wall of the skull, causing a tearing of the blood vessels in the brain. As a result the brain swells, interrupting the motor functioning of the brain. This swelling can also result in brain tumors, which can be life-threatening in some cases. The long-term effects depend upon the severity of the condition, some individuals may recover from it, whereas some others may go into coma for a considerable period of time.

Brain Swelling Causes

The most common cause of a contusion in the brain is a severe blow to the head. Cerebral contusion also occurs due to a center coup or coup injuries. In center coup injuries, the brain is injured on the opposite side where the impact has occurred, whereas in coup injuries, that side of the brain is directly affected. Other causes of the occurrence of contusions in the brain are falls, automobile accidents, catastrophic impact to the head and attacks.

Symptoms of Cerebral Contusion

In some cases brain contusions can be minor and show some symptoms that are not that harmful and cause no harm or damage to the brain. The signs and symptoms of the condition may depend on the location where the contusion has occurred. There are also severe cases where an individual may show the following symptoms;

• Long period of unconsciousness where the individual appears to be ignorant of the situation. The individual may also look confused, agitated and tired.
• Loss of memory
• Inability to understand and express speech
• Numbness
• Experiencing emotional disturbances
• Finding it difficult to pay attention to certain things
• Improper and difficult motor coordination
• Aphasia and cognitive problems
• Severe headache followed by dizziness and vomiting
• Experiencing general body weakness
• An increase in the size of the pupil of the eyes.

Reducing Swelling in the Brain

Before treating cerebral contusion, it is very essential to diagnose the cause of this condition. The diagnosis to check for swelling in the brain is carried out by taking a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI scan) or a computed tomography (CT) scan of the brain. The images of the brain taken by the scan will show the exact location of the contusion. Once the area of contusion is located, then the treatment is provided according to the severity of the condition. The basic treatment administered is to avoid or reduce the swelling of the brain. The swelling can spread to other parts of the brain resulting in intracranial pressure that may cause severe pain. If an individual experiences persistent pain in the head followed by an injury, he may require hospitalization so as to be kept under observation. Brain contusion recovery time depends on the cause and severity of the condition. If cerebral contusion is caused due to a blood clot in the brain, then certain blood thinning medications are prescribed by the physician. In case of severe intracranial pressure, the individual may have to undergo surgery to reduce the pressure and the swelling.

Brain contusion can be a sign of a severe injury and can even lead to brain hemorrhage. If an individual passes out immediately after a head injury and does not respond to any stimulus, then he must be rushed to the hospital immediately.