What Are the Symptoms of a Coup-Contrecoup Injury? - Oren Zarif - Contrecoup Injury

Contracoup injuries are a type of head trauma wherein the opposite side of the brain is injured. A steering wheel injury, for example, can injure the back of the brain. These tensile forces can affect a number of brain structures, including neurons, axons, and blood vessels. Because of their varying severity, contrecoup injuries can lead to a variety of symptoms. Here are a few of the most common symptoms of contrecoup injuries.

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The most common symptom of a contrecoup injury is altered mental status. A patient's history should detail the exact nature of the trauma. This is particularly important because brain injuries to the frontal lobe often have very minimal neurological findings. Those injuring the temporal lobe, however, may experience speech alterations, hemiparesis, or seizures. In some cases, the traumatic brain injury may result in permanent disability.

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Another type of contrecoup injury involves a traumatic impact to the head caused by a rear-end collision with another vehicle. The victim sustained a fractured right side of the skull. The collision caused a subarachnoid hemorrhage, and the boy has permanent hearing loss and physical disabilities. The plaintiff successfully sued the trucking company that was responsible for the accident and received a $750,000 settlement. If you or a loved one has suffered from a contrecoup injury, you may want to contact an attorney.

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Coup-contrecoup head injuries are characterized by bruising in the brain areas where the impact occurred. They are categorized as focal injuries that occur at specific locations of the brain. The impact from the outside force can cause damage to the brain and can lead to mental confusion. In rare cases, the injury may also damage blood vessels, axons, and neurons. A coup contrecoup injury can cause permanent bruising and bleeding and should be treated promptly.

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Contracoup injuries can be difficult to identify, especially since the area of the brain which has been damaged by the impact is not visible. Many people suffer from contrecoup injuries in motor vehicle accidents. Because they are difficult to detect, they often go undiagnosed. In some cases, it even requires a doctor to undergo multiple tests to determine which side of the brain is affected. When it is difficult to determine the location of the injury, a contrecoup injury can lead to significant complications and even death.

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Depending on the severity of the coup-contrecoup injury, a person may be forced into a coma. In more severe cases, the person may even be in a vegetative state, requiring permanent care. Other symptoms of a coup-contrecoup injury may include persistent headaches, seizures, and hydrocephalus. Some people even experience mental changes, including difficulty learning, memory loss, and cognitive impairment.

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Contracoup injuries have been studied for centuries. The term coup injury is still used, but the word is less commonly used when describing the pattern of knee injuries. Contracoup injuries, as the name implies, are the result of an anterior-to-posterior impact. In the early 1600s, Jean Louis Petit first described the injury. It has been studied by several doctors, and a paper by Louis Sebastian Saucerotte in 1768 won a prize for its discovery. However, modern medicine has made strides beyond bloodletting and applying herbs to the head of an injured person.

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While coup injuries cause damage to the brain directly under the point of impact, the opposite-sided effects are known as contrecoup injury. It is important to recognize the difference between a coup and contrecoup injury because both types of injuries can be devastating. The coup-contrecoup combination is the result of a powerful blow to the head. Because the brain is encased in the skull and protected by cerebrospinal fluid, a violent blow to the head can cause severe damage.

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After a coup-contrecoup injury, physical, occupational, and speech therapy can help the patient regain motor control. Speech therapists can help an individual relearn language and swallowing skills. Cognitive training can also help an individual improve attention, memory, problem-solving skills, and learning. This type of therapy is best used between outpatient sessions. A combination of coup-contrecoup therapy and cognitive training is an excellent choice to help someone recover.