Focal cortical injury and diffuse axonal injury (DAI) are two important mechanisms in traumatic brain injury (TBI). Focal brain injuries are often associated with an injury in which the head is struck by an object or strikes a hard surface, and bleeding in the brain leads to regional damage. Diffuse brain injuries are often found in acceleration or deceleration injuries that result in diffuse lesions in the brain. It is common for both focal and diffuse brain damage to occur as the result of the same injury event, and many TBIs have aspects of both focal and diffuse injury. DAI may be more ubiquitous and may account for a greater share of disability. DAI often exhibits no obvious focal anatomical lesions, but may cause microscopic damage to neurons, supportive tissue, and axons, resulting in diffuse axonal shearing and cellular dysfunction. Receiving immediate care is essential to correct diagnosis and maximal recovery.

The diminished connectivity related to diffuse axonal injury may act to decrease neuronal activity in several brain areas, leading to widely separated areas of hypofunction. Cognitive impairments in traumatic brain injury may be a result of functional or anatomical disconnection between the cerebral cortex and deeper brain regions. Both functional imaging (PET, SPECT, and fMRI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) may provide an advantage over conventional structural neuroimaging (CT and MRI). These techniques may be more sensitive in detecting both focal injury and the indirect effects of DAI on cortical activity.  CT and MRI scans may be the conventional methods, but with advancing technology, it is important to ensure that patients are receiving the best care for their injuries. Financial burden is something that every patient is forced to endure. Let an experienced injury lawyer help you receive the compensation you deserve for your injuries.