Can you see diffuse axonal injury on MRI?
MRI is the modality of choice for assessing suspected diffuse axonal injury even in patients with entirely normal CT of the brain 5,6.
How is diffuse axonal injury diagnosed?
Generally, DAI is diagnosed after a traumatic brain injury with GCS less than 8 for more than six consecutive hours. Radiographically, computed tomography (CT) head findings of small punctate hemorrhages to white matter tracts can indicate diffuse axonal injury in the setting of an appropriate clinical presentation.
Is diffuse axonal injury brain damage?
DAI is due to a mechanism of mechanical injury, deacceleration-acceleration injury and is most often seen in acceleration-deceleration accidents and shaken baby syndrome. Individuals with DAI experience temporary or permanent widespread brain damage, coma, or death.
What is a grade 3 diffuse axonal injury?
grade 3: focal lesions in both the corpus callosum and dorsolateral quadrant of the rostral brainstem, in addition to diffuse axonal damage.
Can you fully recover from diffuse axonal injury?
Outlook. DAI is a serious but common type of traumatic brain injury. It can be fatal, but it is also possible to regain consciousness after a DAI. For those who recover, intensive rehabilitation will be needed.
Can you recover from a Grade 3 DAI?
Patients with grade I and II diffuse axonal injuries recovered consciousness within 2 weeks, while patients with grade III injuries required approximately 2 months.
What parts of the brain will be damaged due to a diffuse axonal injury?
DAI is histologically characterized by widespread damage to the axons in several brain regions, including the brainstem, parasagittal white matter, corpus callosum, and at the gray–white-matter junctions of the cerebral hemispheres (Figs 62.3C and 62.8).
What is the prognosis after diffuse axonal injury?
Prognosis of Diffuse Axonal Injury
In mild to moderate forms of diffuse axonal injury, recovery is possible, with the mildest forms of diffuse axonal injury often resulting in few if any long-term issues. About 90% of survivors with severe diffuse axonal injury remain unconscious.
What is a Grade 2 diffuse axonal injury?
Grade 1. Diffuse axonal damage within the white matter of the cerebral hemispheres and grey-white matter interfaces. Brief loss of consciousness. Grade 2. Tissue tear haemorrhages present; axonal damage of the white matter including grade 1 regions and the territory of the corpus callosum.
How long does diffuse axonal injury take to heal?
What is the prognosis after severe diffuse axonal injury?
About 90% of survivors with severe diffuse axonal injury remain unconscious. The 10% that regain consciousness are often severely impaired.
Is diffuse axonal injury serious?
DAI is a serious but common type of traumatic brain injury. It can be fatal, but it is also possible to regain consciousness after a DAI. For those who recover, intensive rehabilitation will be needed.
What is the chief symptom of diffuse axonal injury?
The main presenting symptom of a severe diffuse axonal injury is unconsciousness or profound coma. An injured worker may be unconscious for a brief period of time or may fall into a coma or vegetative state.
What is prognosis for diffuse axonal injury?
Most patients were admitted with moderate traumatic brain injury (64.7%) and suffered Grade I diffuse axonal injury (41.4%). The average hospital stay was 9 days but majority of patients stayed in hospital for ≤ 11 days. At 3 months, mortality rate was 25.6% and satisfactory outcome observed in 48.1% of patients.