Brain injuries are extremely dangerous and the earlier they are diagnosed, the better the chances are for recovery. In many instances with car accidents, brain injuries should not be counted out, even when there are no open wounds. Immediate medical assistance is needed since brain injuries have a tendency to worsen.
Whether you have a car accident, were involved in a fall, or had some other incident, brain injuries should not be taken lightly, as not only a doctor but a personal injury lawyer. Not only are they more difficult to recover from, they can also cause damage which is permanent. In many instances, tests for brain injuries are considered to be part of the routine checkup which one undergoes. Diagnosing a brain injury is done through a number of different tests.
Neurological Tests
Basic neurological tests are run in order to check the functionality of the brain. Based on the extent of the injuries received, some tests might only include monitoring motor skills. After any incident, slight disorientation is common but in a neurological exam, this disorientation will be properly analyzed. You will be tested to assess your ability for speech, hearing, balance, mental state, changes in mood as well as hand-eye coordination.
Once these tests are finished, the doctors will then compare the results with the standardized results they have in their database. Doctors will be looking for signs of amnesia, occurrence of headaches or seizures, weird smells or tastes, mild amnesia, as well as any signs which point to slow cognitive function. The score you get on these tests will be compared with the standardized results to evaluate the extent of the injuries and the trauma.
Scanning for Brain Injuries
Once these tests are cleared though, you’re still not free to go as you’re going to have to go through a number of different scans as well. Brain scans are done to identify clots and other damaged areas in the brain and to determine whether surgery is needed to rectify any damage caused by the incident.
In many instances, this can require common scans such as a CT – Computed Tomography in order to monitor one particular area of the brain. CT scans can be used to identify any skull fractures, hematomas, hemorrhages, swelling the brain tissue as well as contusions.
MRI – Magnetic Resonance Imaging scans can also be used, largely after the first assessment and after treatment has begun. An MRI scan can pick up anything which was missed in the CT scan. Since they’re so accurate, they can be used to identify any minor changes which occur in the brain. This can be extremely important in order to monitor how well the brain is responding to treatment.
Getting a Second Opinion
With brain injuries, it is always good to get a second opinion, particularly when surgery is being considered. When it comes to brain surgery, even the most minimal options can come with a large number of risks associated with it. By getting a second opinion, you can make sure that the decision to have surgery is the right one. A second opinion will give you peace of mind and will also provide support for your case if the need for surgery is questioned by the other side.