Diffuse axonal injury occurs in about half of all severe head traumas, making it one of the most common

traumatic brain injuries. It can also occur in moderate and mild brain injury. A diffuse axonal injury falls under the category of a diffuse brain injury. This means that instead of occurring in a specific area, like a focal brain injury, it occurs over a more widespread area.

. Automobile accidents, sports-related accidents, violence, falls, and child abuse such as Shaken Baby Syndrome are common causes of diffuse axonal injury

is lack of consciousness, which can last up to six hours or more. A person with a mild or moderate diffuse axonal injury who is conscious may also show other signs of brain damage, depending upon which area of the brain is most affected.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) - This test uses magnets, radio waves, and a computer screen to show detailed cross-sections of the brain. This is the preferred test for diagnosing diffuse axonal injury. CT Scan - This test uses an x-ray machine and a computer monitor to show detailed images of the interior of the brain. CT scans may results in false negatives, so cant be relied on to give definitive results when it comes to diffuse axonal injury. Evoked Potentials - Commonly called the SSEP, BAER, and VEP, these tests look at the visual, auditory, and sensory pathways in the brain. Electroencephalogram (EEG) - This test measures the electrical activity in the brain.

Speech therapy Physical therapy Occupational therapy Recreational therapy Adaptive equipment training Counseling

the pathological accumulation of blood within the cranial vault may occur within brain or the surrounding meningeal spaces. Hemorrhage within the meninges or the associated potential spaces, including epidural hematoma, subdural hematoma, and subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Intracranial bleeding occurs when a blood vessel within the skull is ruptured or leaks. It can result from physical trauma (as occurs in head injury) or nontraumatic causes (as occurs in hemorrhagic stroke) such as a ruptured aneurysm. Anticoagulant therapy, as well as disorders with blood clottingcan heighten the risk that an intracranial hemorrhage will occur

Headache Nausea Vomiting Altered levels of consciousness Visual disturbances Abnormal respiratory patterns Slow heart rate