Causes Of Brain Contusions: Treatment For Cerebral Contusion

About 20 – 30 % of all traumatic brain injuries are associated with contusion. The symptoms may vary from decline in mental ability over a prolonged period of time to sudden death due to suppression of the respiratory and cardiac functions. The treatment regimen is aimed at reducing the intensity of the symptoms experienced and minimizes progressive brain damage.

Brain Contusion Causes

Brain contusion is often associated with traumatic head injury. However the nature of the head injury determines the extent of brain involvement and the manifestation of the symptoms,

  • A blow to the head may result in either coup or counter coup injury.
    A coup injury refers to injury to the brain tissue directly below the area of impact, while counter coup injury refers to injury on the opposite side of the impact.
  • Injury can be caused due to collision between the brain tissue with the bony prominences located within the temporal and frontal lobes and on the roof of the ocular orbit
  • Brain contusion can result in damage to larger arteries supply to the brain. In case larger arteries are affected it may result in significant bleeding which results in increase intracranial pressure. This can result in compression on the brain tissue.

Symptoms Of A Brain Contusion

The symptoms associated with brain contusion depend upon several factors including the severity of the injury and the site of the head injury. Some of the common symptoms associated with brain contusion include,

  • Headache, which can range from moderate to severe.
  • Dizziness and sleepiness.
  • Confusion.
  • Loss of consciousness.
  • Nausea and vomiting accompanied with seizures.
  • Difficulty in coordination of movements.
  • Some individuals may also experience difficulty in hearing, vision or speech.
  • Inability to manage emotions and ability to concentrate may be affected especially in cases of deep brain injury.

Symptoms associated with attention, memory and emotions are often associated with the damage to the temporal and the frontal lobe.

Treatment For Cerebral Contusion

In cases of minor brain contusion, no specific treatment is required and these contusions tend to heal spontaneously. However the primary focus of the treatment is to prevent internal swelling within the cranial and ensure adequate blood supply to the brain tissue.

  • In principal all efforts are made to prevent hypotension. Positioning a patient in a head low position (especially after confirming no internal bleeding) is necessary.
  • Intravenous fluids to supply essential electrolytes and nutrients are provided to the patient.
  • Supplementary oxygen is essential to prevent hypercapnia, due to suppressed breathing.
  • Intensive care monitoring of patients with cerebral contusion is essential to prevent onset of grave complications.
  • Surgical intervention may be required in cases of internal bleeding which are associated with internal hemorrhage. The focus of surgical treatment is to relive intracranial pressure and prevent brain compression.

The prognosis of cerebral contusion depends upon a host of factors including the severity of the injury and the stage of medical intervention. Minor contusions may not require medical intervention, while severe contusions may be associated with brain herniation which may result in subsequent coma or death.