Fact 7: The Complexity of Diagnosing Traumatic Brain Injury
One of the biggest challenges in handling Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is the complexity of its diagnosis. The broad range of causes, the variety in severity, the timing of symptoms, and the co-occurrence with other injuries can make TBI diagnosis a complex process.
The initial diagnosis of TBI often happens in emergency settings, based on the patient’s medical history, a physical examination, and the results of imaging tests. These tests typically include a computerized tomography (CT) scan, which can quickly visualize fractures and uncover evidence of bleeding, blood clots, bruised tissue, and brain tissue swelling.
However, mild TBIs or concussions may not show abnormalities on a CT scan. In such cases, diagnosis is usually based on the patient’s symptoms and findings from the neurological exam. Tools such as the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), which assesses a person’s level of consciousness, also play a crucial role in evaluating the severity of TBI.(7)
