Diagnosing a Traumatic Brain Injury

The human skull evolved to protect our most vital organ: the brain. In men, it averages 6.55 mm thick. Women’s skulls average 7.1 mm thick. It’s not the strongest bone in the body (that would be the thigh bone), but it is one of “the least deformable structures in nature” and can withstand tremendous pressure.

However, it’s not impervious, and mounting evidence shows that the skull doesn’t have to be severely damaged for an injury to affect the brain. From car accidents to football tackles, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are stunningly common today.

What is a traumatic brain injury?

What is a TBI? According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (part of the NIH), “a traumatic brain injury refers to a brain injury that is caused by an outside force. TBI can be caused by a forceful bump, blow, or jolt to the head or body, or from an object entering the brain.”

There’s more than one type of TBI, too. A penetrating TBI is one where an object pierces the skull. A non-penetrating TBI (the most common type) is caused by strong external forces, like a fall or a sports injury.

Traumatic brain injuries can result in a very wide range of symptoms that encompass both physical and cognitive/behavioral issues. Some of the most common include the following:

• Headaches
• Convulsions
• Seizures
• Nausea and vomiting
• Loss of balance
• Slurred speech
• Loss of or change in consciousness
• Confusion/disorientation
• Frustration and irritability
• Vertigo
• Mood swings
• Memory problems

Note that these are only some of the symptoms. They can vary greatly from person to person and with age. If you suspect you or a loved one suffer from a traumatic brain injury, immediate medical attention is vital.

How common are TBIs?

Traumatic brain injuries are very common and are major causes of death and disability in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC):

• Over 586 hospitalizations occur every single day related to TBIs
• Over 190 people die every day from TBIs
• In 2020 (the most recent year of statistics at the time of this writing), over 214,000 people were hospitalized, and almost 70,000 people died from traumatic brain injuries.

Note that these numbers don’t include TBIs only treated in the ER, primary care, urgent care, or those that aren’t reported.

TBI vs. concussion

A concussion is a mild form of TBI, and it shares some symptoms with more serious injuries, like dizziness, confusion, and headaches. In the case of concussions, they’re usually temporary.

In more serious cases, traumatic brain injuries can lead to long-term complications, including permanent memory loss or even coma. So, a concussion is a type of TBI, but not all TBIs are concussions. However, all concussions and TBIs require prompt medical attention.

How are traumatic brain injuries diagnosed?

Diagnosing a brain injury isn’t as simple as looking at someone and saying, “You’ve got a TBI.” Your brain doesn’t offer visible clues like a broken bone would. That’s where diagnostic imaging comes in. Each test has its strengths, and doctors use them to get a full picture of what’s happening inside your head.

CT scan (computed tomography)

When you go to the ER with a head injury, a CT scan is often the first test doctors will run. It’s fast, efficient, and designed to spot immediate dangers. CT scans can detect brain bleeds, swelling, and significant bruising.

However, CT scans have their limits. They might miss more subtle injuries like tiny tears in brain tissue or damage to nerve fibers. For that, you’ll need a different tool.

MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)

An MRI looks deeper into the brain’s structure. It can pick up on micro-level injuries like small blood vessel tears or diffuse axonal injuries (damage to the brain’s communication highways). MRIs are often used after the initial emergency has passed to track long-term damage or to assess injuries that might not show up on a CT scan.

Other imaging tools you should know about

Beyond CT scans and MRIs, doctors can use other specialized imaging tests, including:

• PET Scans (positron emission tomography): These look at how your brain is functioning at a metabolic level. They’re not about structure. They focus on activity, like spotting areas of the brain that aren’t getting enough oxygen.
• DTI (diffusion tensor imaging): This newer technology focuses on mapping the brain’s white matter, the pathways that let different parts of the brain communicate. It’s useful for identifying injuries that might otherwise go unnoticed.

What do these tests tell you?

Each imaging tool provides unique information that can guide treatment and recovery:

• CT scans help identify life-threatening conditions that need immediate attention. They’re fast but not as detailed as some tests.
• MRIs dig deeper, providing a clearer picture of the brain’s long-term health and uncovering less obvious damage.
• Specialized tools like PET and DTI scans take diagnosis several steps further, focusing on how your brain is functioning, not just what it looks like.

Why an accurate diagnosis matters

Having a TBI accurately diagnosed is important for many reasons. The first among those is so that you can receive the right treatment. However, if your injury was the result of another person’s negligence or due to a defective product, it’s also about justice and accountability. Clear imaging through a CT scan, MRI, or another type of scan provides important evidence of injury and can indicate how severe that injury is, which are both important in your injury case.

Moving forward

A traumatic brain injury isn’t something you can afford to ignore. Whether it’s a mild concussion or a severe TBI, the right diagnosis is the first step toward recovery. If you or a loved one has suffered a brain injury, talk to your doctor and then reach out to the experienced team at Smith McBroom. You deserve answers, accountability, and a path forward, and we can help. Call us today or contact us online to schedule your consultation.