Traumatic Brain Injury, MRI Role in TBI, Types of TBI.

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is a form of acquired brain injury that occurs when a sudden trauma causes damage to the brain. This can result from a blow, jolt, or penetrating injury to the head.

Types of TBI

1. Mild TBI (Concussion):

   • Temporary loss of brain function

   • Common symptoms: headache, confusion, dizziness, nausea

2. Moderate TBI:

   • Loss of consciousness (LOC) for minutes to hours

   • May have confusion for days to weeks

3. Severe TBI:

   • Prolonged LOC or coma

   • Long-term or permanent cognitive, behavioral, or physical disabilities

4. Open TBI (Penetrating):

   • Skull is broken and brain exposed

5. Closed TBI (Blunt):

   • Skull remains intact; brain hits skull wall

Causes

• Road traffic accidents (most common)

• Falls (especially in children and elderly)

• Sports injuries

• Physical assaults

• Explosive blasts (in military)

Common Symptoms

• Loss of consciousness

• Headache, nausea, vomiting

• Blurred vision or ringing in the ears

• Memory loss or confusion

• Mood changes or behavioral shifts

• Seizures

• Weakness or numbness in limbs

• Slurred speech

Diagnosis

• Neurological exam

• Imaging tests:

  • CT Scan – first line for acute trauma

  • MRI Brain – more detailed for post-acute or chronic evaluation

• Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS): Assesses severity (3–15 scale)

Treatment

1. Emergency care:

   • Maintain oxygenation and blood flow

   • Manage intracranial pressure

   • Surgery if necessary (e.g., hematoma evacuation)

2. Medications:

   • Diuretics (reduce swelling)

   • Anti-seizure drugs

   • Coma-inducing drugs (in severe cases)

3. Rehabilitation:

   • Physical therapy

   • Occupational therapy

   • Speech/language therapy

   • Psychological support

Possible Complications

• Post-concussion syndrome

• Brain swelling

• Bleeding or hematoma

• Infection (in open TBIs)

• Cognitive or behavioral changes

• Epilepsy or seizures

• Coma or vegetative state

MRI Role in TBI

• Detects micro-hemorrhages, diffuse axonal injury

• DTI (Diffusion Tensor Imaging) helps assess white matter tract damage

• fMRI and perfusion MRI are advanced tools in TBI research