Hydrocephalus Following a Traumatic Brain Injury
A traumatic brain injury can lead to lifelong complications affecting the entire family. Traumatic brain injuries are more common than many people realize. According to some of the statistics that have been published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
- A traumatic brain injury is listed as one of the contributing factors in 30 percent of all deaths annually.
- More than 150 people are killed by a traumatic brain injury every day.
- Nearly 300,000 people are hospitalized due to a traumatic brain injury every year.
- Over a six-year study period, traumatic brain injuries increased by about 50 percent.
While the acute period can be stressful and filled with medical tests and treatments, some of the complications accompanying a traumatic brain injury can also be deadly.
An Overview: Common Complications Associated with a Traumatic Brain Injury
While acute traumatic brain injury could lead to severe symptoms or death, several complications could develop. Some of these include:
- Memory loss
- Chronic pain
- The inability to move certain parts of the body
- Numbness or tingling of the arms and legs
- Chronic, recurrent headaches
- Paralysis
These are only a few of the numerous complications that somebody could suffer when they have experienced a traumatic brain injury. It is essential to seek treatment as quickly as possible to try and prevent these complications from developing. Another potential complication is called hydrocephalus.
Hydrocephalus Following a Traumatic Brain Injury
Hydrocephalus is the term that is used to describe the buildup of excess fluid in and around the brain. In the case of a traumatic brain injury, this could develop because the brain is producing more cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) than usual. This occurs in response to an acute injury to the brain itself. When hydrocephalus develops, it starts to compress the brain tissue. If this compression continues, it could lead to a herniation, which might be fatal. Because of this, hydrocephalus needs to be addressed quickly.
Treatment of Hydrocephalus
If someone presents with signs and symptoms of a traumatic brain injury, imaging tests are typically ordered to assess the brain. On an MRI, hydrocephalus will appear as a dark fluid around the brain. Once this is diagnosed, the fluid needs to be drained. There are several ways that this can be done. First, steroids are used to reduce the swelling. Then, Mannitol is often given to reduce the intracranial pressure. After this, neurosurgeons could be asked to place a shunt inside the brain. This shunt drains the excess fluid around the brain, preventing its compression and avoiding herniation.
Help from a Traumatic Brain Injury Attorney
Traumatic brain injuries are always severe injuries and should be treated as such. Because of this, it is essential for anyone showing signs or symptoms of brain damage to seek medical care as quickly as possible. It is easy to see how this situation can be stressful for the individual and their family members and friends. Those involved in a severe accident should meet with an experienced personal injury lawyer in Sacramento.
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Hydrocephalus Following a Traumatic Brain Injury: AutoAccident.com
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