Any time you suffer a head injury, it’s important to seek immediate medical attention. You may be experiencing life-threatening symptoms that require intervention, such as brain bleeds, skull fractures, or traumatic brain injury (TBI).
Timely medical treatment can help reduce the risk of long-term complications. Seeing your doctor right away also serves as documentation for the full extent of your injuries, which can be crucial if you decide to seek compensation for your injuries.
What Happens When See a Doctor for a Head Injury?
Following a serious head injury, medical professionals are required to follow a standard set of procedures to evaluate the patient. The first step involves a physical examination to check for visible signs of trauma, such as cuts, bruises, or swelling. Doctors also assess neurological function by evaluating the patient’s level of consciousness, pupil response, and motor skills. This may include asking simple questions to gauge cognitive function and memory.
Vital signs like blood pressure, heart rate, and oxygen levels are monitored closely. Your doctor may assign a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) to determine the severity of the head injury, which facilitates making immediate treatment decisions. Blood tests may be conducted to identify potential issues such as infection or electrolyte imbalances that could complicate the injury.
CT Scans After a Serious Head Injury
A CT (computed tomography) scan combines X-ray images taken from multiple angles to create detailed cross-sectional images of the brain. These tests are particularly effective at detecting acute issues such as bleeding, skull fractures, contusions, and swelling. The procedure is relatively quick and non-invasive, making it ideal for emergency situations where time is of the essence. Patients lie on a motorized table that slides into the CT machine while the scanner rotates around them to capture the images. CT scans can reveal several critical findings that help doctors assess the severity of a head injury.
One common CT scan discovery is intracranial hemorrhage, which refers to bleeding within the brain or between the brain and skull. This can lead to increased pressure on the brain, requiring urgent surgical intervention. Skull fractures are another possible finding, indicating a break or crack in the cranial bones, which may also affect the underlying brain tissue. A CT scan can also detect cerebral edema, or swelling of the brain, which may impede normal brain function and necessitate immediate treatment to reduce pressure.
MRI Testing After a Serious Head Injury
An MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) uses powerful magnets and radio waves to generate detailed images of the brain’s soft tissues. This makes MRIs particularly useful for identifying conditions that may not be visible on a CT scan, such as subtle brain injuries, diffuse axonal injuries, and small contusions. During the procedure, patients lie on a table that slides into a tunnel-like machine, which captures high-resolution images of the brain.
MRIs are invaluable for diagnosing chronic issues and planning long-term treatment, especially in cases where initial CT scans may not have revealed the full extent of the injury. One such injury is a diffuse axonal injury (DAI), which involves widespread damage to the brain’s white matter and can lead to significant cognitive impairments. MRIs can also identify smaller contusions and hematomas that may be missed by CT scans.
MRIs are effective in diagnosing chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a condition often seen in individuals with a history of repetitive head injuries. This imaging technology can also detect early signs of brain atrophy, which is the gradual loss of brain cells, and help in monitoring progressive conditions like post-concussion syndrome.
Neuropsychological Testing After a Serious Head Injury
Neuropsychological tests evaluate various aspects of brain function, including memory, attention, language skills, and executive function. Neuropsychological evaluations often consist of standardized tests and questionnaires that provide a detailed profile of a patient’s cognitive strengths and weaknesses. This information is crucial for setting realistic recovery goals and monitoring progress over time. These tests can help differentiate between cognitive impairments caused by the head injury and those stemming from other conditions such as depression or anxiety.
Neuropsychological assessments cover a variety of cognitive and behavioral tests designed to evaluate different aspects of brain function. Memory tests such as the Wechsler Memory Scale assess both short-term and long-term memory capabilities. Attention and concentration are often evaluated using tasks like the Continuous Performance Test (CPT), which measures sustained and selective attention. Behavioral assessments may involve questionnaires that gauge emotional well-being and personality changes, providing insights into how the injury has affected the patient’s day-to-day life.
Language skills can be assessed through tests like the Boston Naming Test, which examines word retrieval and naming abilities. Executive function, which includes skills like problem-solving, planning, and decision-making, is often evaluated using the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST).
EEG Testing After a Serious Head Injury
An EEG (Electroencephalogram) is a non-invasive test used to measure electrical activity in the brain. Small electrodes are placed on the scalp, which detect and record the electrical signals produced by neurons. These recordings are then displayed as wave patterns on a computer screen, allowing medical professionals to analyze brain activity. The test can also help detect abnormalities in brain function that might not be visible through imaging techniques like CT scans or MRIs.
An EEG is recommended when there is a suspicion of abnormal brain activity that could be causing symptoms not easily explained by other diagnostic methods. For example, if a patient experiences unexplained seizures, recurrent fainting spells, or episodes of altered consciousness, an EEG can help identify abnormal electrical patterns indicative of epilepsy or other seizure disorders. It is also useful in evaluating patients with head injuries who exhibit persistent headaches, confusion, or unexplained behavioral changes. In some cases, an EEG may be ordered to assess the extent of brain function in patients who are in a coma or have suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI).
Contact Our New York City Brain Injury Attorneys Today
A brain injury is challenging to experience, but you don’t have to handle it alone. For over 50 years, the personal injury lawyers at Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro, Moses & Halperin, LLP, have been getting justice for New York City injury victims. Our firm is ranked as a Best Law Firm by U.S. News & World Report based on a rigorous evaluation process. We also have a perfect 10.0 score from Avvo and are AV-rated by Martindale-Hubbell.
Our attorneys have won over a billion dollars in settlements and verdicts for our clients. Further, we take cases on a contingency basis—which means you won’t owe us anything unless we win you a settlement.
To schedule a FREE consultation with our experienced brain injury lawyers in New York City, call WRSMH at (212) 986-7353 today.
