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Diffuse Axonal Brain Injury

A traumatic brain injury occurs in the United States every few seconds. Brain injuries are the leading cause of death for individuals considered to be in their prime of life (around 25 to 45). A diffuse axonal injury can occur when the head encounters severe trauma. The injury can also be suffered when the trauma is only mild or moderate. It often results in patients suffering comas or vegetative states.

A lawyer in the Surrey area can help speak for a patient that has been affected by a diffuse axonal injury. A lawyer can also serve as an instrument to file any legal proceeding for any accident that led to the injury.

Defining Diffuse Axonal Injury

The axon is the long fiber of the never cell that carries outgoing messages. A diffuse axonal injury is the widespread trauma to a wide number of these axons. The injury can cause brain cells to die which causes the brain to swell which can compound the injury by putting more pressure on the brain and even reducing the blood supply to the remaining healthy brain cells.

Symptoms of Diffuse Axonal Injury

Any head injury can cause a temporary loss of consciousness but a diffuse axonal injury will typically include a loss of consciousness that lasts for six hours or longer. Many of the patients that suffer from a severe diffuse axonal injury will fall into a coma and up to 90% never regain consciousness. Those that so manage to wake from a severe diffuse axonal injury will continue to suffer from impairments.

Diagnosis of Diffuse Axonal Injury

There are a number of tests that can be used to help determine the depth of injury occur with head trauma. The first step would be to question a patient that is conscious, but there are additional tests that can be performed to give more detailed explanations of any issues that might show up when head injuries occur.

  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) – this test uses strong magnets and radio waves to project a cross-section of the brain to a computer screen. It can be the best way to diagnose a diffuse axonal injury.
  • CT Scan – this test utilizes x-ray equipment to give details of the interior of the brain. It is not as precise as the MRI but can help with a preliminary diagnosis of diffuse axonal injury.
  • SSEP, BAER, and VEP – these tests look at how the visual, auditory, and sensory pathways in the brain are currently reacting.
  • Electroencephalogram (EEG) – this test measures the electrical activity of the brain and can help to diagnose the areas that have been damaged during a head injury.

Treating Diffuse Axonal Injury

Dealing with the swelling of the brain caused by head trauma is the first step in treating diffuse axonal injury. The swelling can be reduced through medications that are designed to reduce inflammation. In extreme cases the only way to deal with the swelling may be surgery.

  • Counseling – to help the patient deal with any issues that might come up from damage occurred by the diffuse axonal injury.
  • Speech therapy – if speech has been hindered by the brain trauma.
  • Physical therapy – this could be valuable if the recovery process takes a long period of time or if the injury caused issues with nerve reactions.
  • Occupational therapy and adaptive equipment therapy – to help the patient adapt to the new circumstances posed by the injury.

It is very important you discuss your diffuse axonal injury treatment with a doctor.