Brain Swelling and Hematomas

Brain Swelling and Intracerebral Hematomas

By Gordon S. Johnson, Jr.

Call me at 800-992-9447

Cortical Contusions.

A contusion is no more than a bruise. A cortical contusion is a bruise to the the brain (the cortex). A cortical contusion is often called a hematoma. The problem with hematomas is two fold: First, a hematoma involves the collection of blood outside of blood vessels, which is toxic to neurons. Second, a contusion also increases the amount of fluid within the skull (brain swelling), thus increasing intracranial pressure (ICP). See our page on Neuropathology for more about the dangers of increases in ICP.

Relieving the increase in pressure from a hematoma is one of the primary goals of neurosurgery after severe brain injury. Efforts to intervene in cases of brain swelling may involve removing a portion of the skull, by creating what is called a “brain flap.” A brain flap takes the lid off the pressure cooker, so to speak, and allows the brain room to expand. The surgery to make a brain flap is called a craniotomy or a craniectomy. For more on craniotomy and craniectomy, click here.

Epidural hematoma.

An epidural hematoma is a hematoma that occurs between the dura and the skull.

Subdural hematoma

Subdural hematoma is a hematoma that occurs between the dura and the brain.

Midline Shift

The brain is divided into two hemispheres. When seen on a CT scan, the hemispheres are quite symmetrical. When seen from above, a reasonably straight line can be seen between the two sides of the brain. If the brain is swelling on one side, it pushes one hemisphere across this center line. This is called a “midline shift.” A midline shift is one of the most obvious evidences of brain swelling that can be seen on a CT scan. A midline shift can be particularly dangerous as it may be accompanied by compression of the brain stem, which can be fatal. For an example of a midline shift, click here.

Next – Craniotomy – Craniectomy after Severe Brain 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.