Cerebral Contusion and Intracerebral Hematoma

Cerebral Contusion and Intracerebral Hematoma

A cerebral contusion is a traumatic brain injury that causes scattered bleeding and bruising of the brain tissue. A hematoma is heavy bleeding into or around the brain. The severity of a TBI can range from a mild concussion to coma or even death. Cerebral contusion may occur along with a hematoma in the brain.

Treatment Options

Any minor or major brain injury should be monitored closely under a doctor’s supervision. It is an emergency condition which requires immediate treatment. The treatment options vary according to the type and severity of the injury.

Treatment may include

  • Surgical intervention with a craniotomy to remove the cerebral contusion
  • Medication to control the intracranial pressure

What are the symptoms of a Cerebral Contusion and Intracerebral Hematoma?

After any sort of a brain injury, the patient should be carefully observed and noted for the following symptoms

Severe headache
Headache
Nausea and vomiting
Nausea and vomiting
Slurred speech 1
Slurred speech
Restlessness 1
Restlessness
Excessive drowsiness
Increased drowsiness
Changes in pupils
Change in pupils
Confused state of mind
Confused state of mind
memory loss
Memory loss
Changes in personality 1
Change in personality
Depression
Depression
Irritability
Irritability
Changes in behaviour or emotions
Other emotional and behavioural problems
Seizures 3
Some people might experience seizures
Loss of consciousness
Loss of consciousness
Confusion with regards to time and date
Confusion with regards to time and date

A contusion occurs when a sudden physical assault causes damage to the brain.

The major causes of TBI are

  • Motor vehicle accidents
  • Sports or physical activity
  • Assaults
  • For people over 65, falls
  • Contrecoup – TBI in response to the shaking of the brain within the confines of the skull
  • Shaken baby syndrome – when a baby is forcibly shaken to cause extreme contrecoup injury.

Damage to a major blood vessel within the head can cause a hematoma or heavy bleeding in or around the brain.

A thorough physical and neurological examination of the patient along with an effective diagnostic procedure is important in evaluating the condition of the patient.

Diagnostic procedure

  • Computed tomography (CT) brain scans
  • MRI
Kauvery Hospital