Diffuse axonal injury is one of the most common types of brain injuries, yet it is rarely talked about. Other types of brain injuries, such as concussions, are well known, but most people don’t know much about a diffuse axonal brain injury. But, if your loved one has suffered a brain injury, they could have a diffuse axonal injury. If this is the case, you need to learn more about this type of injury in order to help them. I will discuss the diffuse axonal injury in greater detail here.
What is a Diffuse Axonal Injury?
A diffuse axonal injury occurs when lesions in white matter occur in the brain. About half of all severe brain injuries result in diffuse axonal injury. In addition, the diffuse axonal injury can occur in mild or moderate brain injuries. This type of injury is considered a type of diffuse brain injury, meaning that it occurs over a large part of the brains. In other words, it is not confined to a specific part of the brain, but can affect most or all of the brain.
A diffuse axonal injury is a very serious type of brain injury. It is one of the leading causes of death for people who have traumatic brain injuries. In addition, many people with diffuse axonal injuries fall into comas or vegetative states.
Causes of Diffuse Axonal Injury
This type of injury is not a result of a blow to a person’s head, like some traumatic brain injuries are. Instead, it is a result of rapid acceleration and deceleration that causes the brain to move back and forth within the skull. This commonly results from issues such as:
- Falls
- Sports accidents
- Car accidents
- Shaken Baby Syndrome and other types of child abuse
If the brain moves too much in the skull, nerve cells become disrupted. Axons in the cells, which are supposed to send messages between neurons, cannot do their job properly. This causes tissue to fall over tissue in the brain, creating a shearing effect. This causes lesions that can lead to unconsciousness or even death.
Diffuse axonal injury also leads to the death of brain cells. This can cause swelling in the brain. This can lead to reduced blood flow to the brain and additional shearing. Such shearing can release chemicals in the brain that can do even more harm.
Diagnosing this Brain Injury
The main symptom of diffuse axonal injury to watch out for is unconsciousness. If a person remains unconscious for six hours or more than that, they could have a diffuse axonal injury.
If the situation is mild and the patient is still conscious, doctors can ask certain questions to determine the injury as well as the extent of the injury.
Whether the patient is conscious or unconscious, testing can be done to determine the extent of the injury and help diagnose it. Common tests used if a doctor suspects diffuse axonal injury include:
- CT Scan: A CT Scan will use x-rays to show images of the inside of a person’s brain. However, these images could be false negatives, so a CT Scan should not solely be used in diagnosing a head injury.
- Electroencephalogram (EEG): An EEG is used to measure electrical activity within a person’s brain.
- Evoked Potentials: These tests view auditory, visual, and sensory pathways within the brain.
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): MRI machines use radio waves, magnets, and a computer to show cross sections of the brain. This is one of the best tests for diagnosing a diffuse axonal injury.
Treating Diffuse Axonal Injury
The prognosis for a diffuse axonal injury depends on the severity of it. Many people with mild or moderate injuries can make some form of recovery, although long-term issues can persist in most of these cases. If the injury was severe, most cases result in a consistent comatose state or death.
If your loved one has a diffuse axonal injury, doctors will take immediate action in an attempt to alleviate the swelling in the brain. This might be achieved through the use of medication such as steroids. Unlike for some other injuries, surgery is not a viable option to reduce swelling in the brain if a person has sustained a diffuse axonal injury.
If the patient is able to stabilize and stay awake, treatment will begin. The rehabilitation process might include a combination of counseling and different types of therapy. For example, your loved one may need speech therapy, physical therapy, occupation therapy, and more.
Getting Help
A diffuse axonal injury can have very serious consequences for your loved one. It is important to get them help immediately after an injury is sustained. Any types of brain injury can be serious, and you need to have it examined by a medical professional. If you would like to help your loved one further, work with their doctor to determine what can be done. For additional resources, you can also contact my office.
