Brain Swelling after Severe TBI

Brain Edema, or Swelling, Causes a Harmful Rise in Intracranial Pressure

By Gordon S. Johnson, Jr.

Brain swelling is a potentially fatal condition that requires brain surgery much of the time. Without treatment, it can cause severe and permanent damage and disability.

Cortical Contusions

A cortical contusion is a bruise on the surface of the brain. The bruising forms a deposit of blood outside blood vessels which is damaging to brain tissue like neurons. The amount of fluid within the skull increases, raising up the intracranial pressure, which is a root cause of secondary brain damage. This occurs over the hours after the initial event. Just because it is secondary, does not mean it is less dangerous.

Click here for more on craniotomy or a craniectomy

Epidural hematoma

An epidural hematoma occurs between the dura and the skull rather than on the surface of the brain. This is also a bruising that occurs which builds up blood between the dura mater and the skull.

Subdural hematoma

Subdural hematoma is a bruise between the dura and the brain. A pool of blood collects between the brain and its outer coating. The bleeding and increased pressure can be fatal.

Midline Shift

The brain consists of two symmetrical right and left hemispheres. If brain swelling occurs on one side of the brain, it drives that hemisphere across the vertical line in the center of the brain. This is called midline shift. It can be detected on a CT scan. It is potentially life-threatening.

Next: Craniotomy – Craniectomy after Severe Closed Head Injury

Gordon Johnson

Attorney Gordon Johnson is one of the nations leading brain injury advocates. He is Past-Chair of the TBILG, a national group of more than 150 brain injury advocates. He has spoken at numerous brain injury seminars and is the author of some of the most read brain injury web pages on the internet.

Arizona Brain Damage