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Diagnostic Procedures and Tests Used To Assess the Extent and Impact of Traumatic Head Injuries
Determining the exact scope of a traumatic brain injury is essential to ensuring someone who’s just sustained a serious head injury can receive the appropriate treatment as quickly as possible. The sooner any brain issues are addressed, the better your chances of making a full recovery. Because the stakes of treatment are so high, multiple procedures and tests are typically utilized to help medical professionals quickly and precisely diagnose the type and grade[1] of your injury.
CT Scans (Computed Tomography)
CT scans are often the first imaging tests performed in head injury cases. They provide a detailed cross-sectional view of the brain using X-rays to detect acute bleeding, fractures, swelling and other structural brain abnormalities[2] , making them crucial to determining the severity of your brain injury.
MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
MRIs use magnetic fields and radio waves to produce more detailed images than those generated by CT scans, highlighting abnormal tissue to better reveal subtle changes in the brain's structure. This makes it particularly useful in identifying diffuse axonal injuries, which are often missed in CT scans.
PET Scans (Positron Emission Tomography)
PET scans detect irregularities across your entire body, potentially allowing medical professionals to assess the head injury's impact on brain function and any resultant effects on your body. Some studies have shown that PET scans allow medical professionals to gauge the glucose uptake and utilization in the brain after a head injury.
Electroencephalogram (EEG)
An EEG measures electrical activity in the brain, helping to evaluate brain function. EEGs are particularly useful for identifying abnormalities in brain activity, including seizures and alterations in consciousness. For your head, neck and spinal injury claim, an EEG can be crucial in demonstrating cognitive impairment or long-term consequences resulting from your head injury.
Cerebral Angiography
Cerebral angiography can be used to assess the blood vessels in the brain. Prior to the test, a contrast dye is injected to make it easier to spot any abnormalities in the X-rays, such as an aneurysm or vascular damage.
Blood Tests
Elevated levels of certain proteins in the blood, like S100B or glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), can indicate brain trauma.
The Glasgow Coma Scale
The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) provides a standardized method for examining a person's level of consciousness by evaluating three categories, including:
- Eye-Opening Response. The first component of the GCS measures a patient's eye-opening response. It scores their performance on a scale of one to four, with one being no eye-opening and four indicating that the patient opens their eyes spontaneously.
- Verbal Response. The verbal response component evaluates the patient's ability to communicate. A score from one to five is assigned; one signals no verbal response and five shows that the patient is oriented and can converse coherently.
- Motor Response. The motor response component assesses a patient's movement. It’s scored from one to six, with one signifying no motor response and six indicating that the patient follows commands and can move purposefully.
Each category’s sum is combined to form your total score, with the lowest score you can get being a three while the highest being a 15. Higher scores imply mild injuries, while lower scores suggest more severe brain damage that necessitates serious treatment and possibly ongoing care.
Aggressive Personal Injury Representation in Atlanta Without Up-Front Costs
If you or a loved one has sustained a traumatic head injury due to someone else’s negligence, we’ll help you get justice. At the Law Office of Rickard, Drew & Nix, our skilled attorneys will construct a well-rounded strategy, gather extensive evidence and fiercely defend your right to proper compensation. We’ll fight to maximize your case’s chances of success so you can focus on recovery rather than money to pay for treatment or ongoing care expenses.
Schedule a free consultation with one of our personal injury attorneys today by calling (404) 588-1001 or by filling out our contact form.
