Saturday, December 27th 2025
The main symptoms of contusion include increased intracranial pressure, while brain concussion can cause diffuse chemical changes. In addition to head injuries, some cases of cerebral contusion can occur without trauma
Concussion and brain contusion are two forms of traumatic brain injury, which, although similar in some aspects, have different mechanisms of occurrence, distinct clinical features and special risks.
Concussion causes a temporary functional disorder of the brain, while contusion represents a structural injury to the brain, accompanied by bleeding and swelling. nerve tissue.
What is a cerebral contusion (structural brain injury)
Cerebral contusion means pressure and bleeding in the brain, which usually occurs in areas where the cerebral cortex collides with the skull or the hard membrane that surrounds the brain and spinal cord.
Contusions can occur in any area of the brain, but some regions are more susceptible because of their anatomical position, writes Very Well Health. Telegraph.
A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury that, like most contusions, is caused by a blow to the head, fall, sports injury or accident. In this process, the brain “moves” inside the skull and hits its walls.
The damage is diffuse and causes stretching of nerves, blood vessels and short-term or long-term chemical changes.
Concussions are usually classified according to severity:
• Level 1 – mild shock, without loss of consciousness; symptoms disappear within 15 minutes.
• Grade 2 – no loss of consciousness, but symptoms (eg confusion) last more than 15 minutes.
• Grade 3 – concussion accompanied by loss of consciousness, with symptoms lasting more than 15 minutes.
Comparison between concussion and brain contusion
• Diffuse or focal damage: Concussion is a diffuse and functional damage; contusion is focal and structural damage, visible on CT/MRI.
• Causes: Concussion is always a consequence of head trauma; contusion usually follows trauma, but can occur without shock (eg, uncontrolled hypertension, coagulation disorders, blood thinners, illegal drugs).
• Bleeding: Concussion may or may not bleed; contusion is always accompanied by hemorrhage, edema and blood collection.
• Cognitive and psychological effects: Concussion causes marked cognitive and emotional disorders (confusion, memory loss, irritability), while in contusion neurological signs dominate due to increased intracranial pressure.
They appear due to direct impact, bleeding and subsequent swelling:
• Increased blood pressure
• Pupil dilation
• Irregular breathing pattern
• Slowed pulse
There is often loss of consciousness and symptoms develop within 48–72 hours. Without treatment, contusion can be fatal.
Cerebral edema: increases intracranial pressure, causes headache, vomiting, loss of consciousness, weakness or paralysis, irregular eye movements.
• Subdural hematoma: causes confusion, severe headaches, dizziness, weakness of one side of the body, speech disorders, memory loss, personality changes; in the absence of treatment, seizures, paralysis and coma.
Symptoms are more diverse and appear immediately or after a few hours:
• Headache
• Nausea / vomiting
• Confusion and memory difficulties
• “Fog” in the head
• Sensitivity to light and sound
• Sleep disorders
• Fatigue
• Loss of balance
• Sadness, irritability, anxiety
In children and infants: swelling of the head, irritability, loss of appetite, sleep changes, increased crying, blank stare.
Post-concussive syndrome (PCS): Long-term symptoms: difficulty concentrating, mental problems, personality changes, sleep disorders, depression/anxiety, loss of smell/taste.
• Visible scars
• Loss of consciousness
• Confusion after injury
• Seizures (convulsions)
• Vomiting / severe headache
• Numbness of the limbs
• Problems with speech, hearing, vision
• Loss of balance
Causes of concussion and contusion of the brain
Causes of concussion and contusion of the brain include falls, traffic accidents and blows to the face, especially during sports activities. Brain contusion can occur even without direct trauma, as a result of high hypertension, coagulation disorders, the use of blood-thinning drugs or narcotic substances.
Prevention is based on protecting the head and reducing environmental risks, including the use of a helmet while riding a motorcycle, bicycle or skiing, wearing a safety belt in the vehicle, eliminating obstacles at home, ensuring good lighting and installing protective barriers. for children on stairs and windows.
Source: prizrenpost
