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A cerebral contusion is a type of traumatic brain injury (TBI) characterized by scattered areas of bleeding and bruising of the brain tissue. And a hematoma is heavy bleeding into or around the brain. Cerebral contusions may occur with hematoma in brain. 

Causes

It mainly occurs due to sudden and severe physical assault on the head by:  

• Motor vehicle accidents 

• Sports or physical activity 

• Assaults 

• Falls 

• Forcibly shaking of the brain (in babies) 

These causes can damage the brain or major blood vessel within the head leading to hematoma, or contusion.

After any kind of brain injury, careful watching is most important to note any of the following symptoms:  

• Headache 

• Nausea & vomiting

• Slurred speech

• Restlessness

• Increased drowsiness

• Change in pupils

• Confused state of mind 

• Memory loss 

• Change in personality 

• Depression

• Irritability

• Other emotional and behavioural problems

• Seizures

• Loss of consciousness 

A thorough physical and neurological examination of the patient along with following diagnostic procedure plays most important role in evaluating the condition of the patient:  

• Computed tomography (CT) brain scans

• MRI 

Any minor or major brain injury should be monitored well under a doctor’s supervision. It is an emergency condition and requires immediate treatment according to the type and severity of the injury. Treatment may include:

• Surgical intervention by craniotomy to remove the cerebral contusion 

• Medication to control intracranial pressure