Microscopic axonal tearing from shearing forces in severe head trauma
Expansion
Diffuse Axonal Injury
Purpose
Associated with prolonged coma; multiple microhaemorrhages on gradient echo magnetic resonance imaging
Clinical Context
Diffuse axonal injury common in severe traumatic brain injury with altered consciousness. Gradient-recalled echo or susceptibility-weighted imaging shows microhaemorrhages at grey-white junction, brainstem, corpus callosum. Poor prognosis.
Related Terms
- Traumatic brain injury
Key Points
- Diffuse axonal injury susceptibility-weighted imaging or gradient-recalled echo most sensitive; shows microhaemorrhages at grey-white junction, brainstem, corpus callosum