Advanced Imaging Techniques to Diagnose and Treat Brain Injury

Brain injuries are commonly referred to as an “invisible injury” because the injury is not always readily apparent from an outside perspective. In certain cases, such as penetrating or open head injuries or a brain injury that causes coma, medical professionals can identify a brain injury almost immediately. However, in the large majority of cases, a brain injury is “closed,” which often means there are few outward physical signs that brain damage has occurred.

Imaging Tests in The Diagnostic Stage

When an individual visits the emergency room after a blow to the head, a medical professional should perform a variety of tests in order to diagnose or rule out a brain injury. Imaging tests are commonly used in the early diagnostic stage to see if there has been any visible damage to the brain tissue that would lead to a proper brain injury diagnosis.

Imaging Tests as Part of Treatment

If a patient has clear symptoms of a brain injury or already has a brain injury diagnosis, imaging tests may still be used for a variety of reasons. For example, doctors can use these tests to determine the location and severity of the damage, to identify any potential hemorrhages or other complications, and to monitor any improvement. Additionally, if a brain injury patient requires surgery, neurosurgeons can rely on advanced imaging techniques for guidance throughout the procedure.

Types Of Advanced Brain Imaging Techniques

There are several types of advanced neuroimaging techniques that may be used for a brain injury patient. Some of these include the following:

Computerized tomography (CT) scan
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan
Positron emission tomography (PET)
Single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)

While not every brain-injured patient will require an imaging test, many patients will undergo a CT scan in the acute care stage of treatment. CT scans are less time-consuming, more cost effective, and have greater availability than other types of imaging, so this is often the most common for initial diagnosis. However, CT scans do have limitations and, after some time has passed since the head trauma, other imaging tests may be preferred. For example, two to three days after a head trauma, medical professionals more often use MRIs in order to better identify hematomas, contusions, or diffuse axonal injuries. PET and SPECT imaging tests are helpful in determining the long-term prognosis for the brain injury patient.

Schedule a Free Consultation with an Experienced Baltimore or Washington D.C. Brain Injury Attorney at The Casper Firm Today

There are many different tools that medical professionals can use to diagnose a traumatic brain injury. These diagnostic tools and the treatment that follows a TBI come at a high cost, however, and TBI patients often face a mountain of medical bills. Fortunately, many TBI patients have the legal right to compensation if a negligent party caused their injury. At The Casper Firn, we have specific knowledge of brain injury claims and the legal issues that often arise during these cases. Please call a brain injury attorney at our office to find out how we can assist you and to find out your legal rights to recovery.