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How is brain injury diagnosed?
If there is evidence of gross damage to the brain, such as hemorrhaging, swelling or contusions, these physical findings will generally be detected on a CT scan or MRI. Further, a neurological exam may detect evidence of neurological insult. However, where the damage is microscopic, such as in the case of diffuse axonal injury, the diagnosis must be made as a result of the history obtained from the patient (for example, a blow to the head or sudden acceleration/deceleration injury), the symptoms reported by the patient (such as alteration of consciousness, headaches, dizziness, confusion, impulsivity, personality changes or cognitive difficulties) and the results of neuropsychological testing, which is sensitive enough to detect impairments in cognitive, perceptual and emotional functioning.