Massachusetts Personal Injury Library
What Are Diffuse Axonal Injuries?
Diffuse axonal injuries (DAI) are some of the most common traumatic brain injuries (TBI). These types of injuries involve damage that occurs over a larger part of the brain rather than an individual section of the brain. Because a DAI impacts a greater area of the brain, the injuries that can result are typically more significant.
Examples of Diffuse Axonal Injuries
- Shaken Baby Syndrome
- Coup Countrecoup Injuries
- Concussions
Symptoms of Diffuse Axonal Injuries
The most common symptoms of DAI are lesions on the brain, which are what cause unconsciousness in those who have sustained a head or brain injury. Lack of consciousness can last for 6 hours or more. There is a potential for those who are unconscious to regress into a vegetative state.
Other DAI symptoms include blurry vision, tinnitus, and a headache. MRI and CT scans are typically conducted in diagnosing DAI and Diffusion Tensor Imaging may also be utilized by medical professionals in determining what type of brain injury a patient may have.
Cause of Diffuse Axonal Injuries
DAI can be caused by violent and rapid back and forth movement of the head (i.e., as a result of a car accident). The violent movement disrupts the axons in the nerve cells in the brain, which can impact with the sides of the skull. When the brain is moved in such a way, brain tissue can be scraped away and lead to the lesions mentioned above. Intracranial bleeding may also result.
Outcomes of Diffuse Axonal Injuries
More than 90% of DAI patients remain in a coma following their injuries and never again become conscious. For those who do become conscious, they typically can expect to face severe impairments and disabilities resulting from the initial injury. DAI are found in approximately 50% of the total number of serious traumatic head and brain injuries.
When You Need to Talk to a Boston Personal Injury Attorney
If someone you love has suffered a traumatic brain injury, contact the Boston brain injury attorneys with Kiley Law Group before you sign any insurance claim forms, give a recorded statement to the insurance adjuster, or agree to a settlement offer.
Schedule your free case evaluation today by calling 1-888-208-1695.
DISCLAIMER: The Kiley Law Group is not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited within the article. If you were involved in this accident or a similar incident and have questions about your rights and legal options, call us or another reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a legal evaluation. We provide a free, confidential consultation to all not-at-fault persons named in this article and to their family members as well.
