Cerebral contusion is a serious injury to the brain that usually occurs after a severe head injury caused by a direct and violent impact on the head, such as what happens during traffic accidents or falls from a height, for example.
Generally, brain contusion arises in the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain, as they are places in the brain that are easier to hit against the skull, causing bruises in the brain tissue.
Thus, depending on the severity of the injury and taking into account the places in the brain where a contusion is more frequent, it is possible to develop sequelae, such as memory problems, attention difficulties or changes in emotions, especially during treatment, when the brain is still is not completely recovered.
However, not all head injuries cause brain contusion, and may only cause the development of a cerebral concussion, which is a less serious problem, but which must also be quickly diagnosed and treated. Learn more at: Cerebral concussion.
How to know if you have a brain injury
Cerebral contusion cannot normally be seen with the naked eye and, therefore, must be diagnosed through tests such as computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging, for example.
However, some signs and symptoms that may indicate the development of a bruise include:
- Loss of consciousness; Confusion; Sudden vomiting; Frequent nausea; Dizziness and severe headache; Weakness and excessive tiredness
These symptoms, when they appear after a head injury, should be evaluated as soon as possible in an emergency room to confirm the diagnosis and initiate appropriate treatment.
In the most severe cases, in which skull fractures occur, the chances of having a brain contusion are very high, but the diagnosis must always be confirmed with tomography and MRI exams at the hospital.
How to treat brain contusion
Treatment for cerebral contusion should be started as soon as possible in the hospital with a medical evaluation by a neurologist, because, depending on the results of the exams and the type of accident that caused the brain contusion, treatment can vary.
Most brain bruises are minor problems and can improve only with rest and use of pain relievers, such as acetaminophen or acetaminophen, to relieve pain. Anti-inflammatory drugs such as Aspirin or Ibuprofen should be avoided, as they increase the risk of cerebral hemorrhage.
However, in the most serious situations, where the bruise causes brain hemorrhage or swelling of brain tissue, it is necessary to have surgery to remove excess blood or remove a small part of the skull, to reduce the pressure and allow the brain to heal.
