It is also possible to have a coup and contrecoup injuryreferred to as coup-contrecoupif the impact is strong enough.
The treatment of thesetraumatic brain injuriesvaries by their severity.
Some cases only cause mild disorientation, while others may result in seizures and permanent brain injury.
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This differs from diffuse brain injuries, which involve a widespread area of the brain.
A classic example of this includes:
Acoup-contrecoup injuryis one in which both events occur.
These are more common when the impact occurs at high speed.
It is not sparked by violent shaking or rapid acceleration/deceleration of the brain without impact.
An example of this is brain injury caused byshaken baby syndrome.
Some cases may be mild and transient, while others may be severe and life-threatening.
In addition to the neurological exam, imaging studies of the brain would be ordered.
Treatment
The treatment of a coup or contrecoup brain injury can vary by its severity.
The treatment will be directed by a brain specialist known as aneurologist.
Even with relatively mild symptoms, many specialists will recommend overnight monitoring in a hospital with repeated CT scans.
Severe cases may requiresurgical decompressionto ease swelling of the brain which can lead to permanent brain injury.
Anticonvulsive drugsmay be prescribed to prevent seizures resulting from a coup or contrecoup injury.
Summary
Acoupinjury occurs at the site of an impact to the head.
Acontrecoupinjury shows up when the brain collides against the opposite wall of the skull following rapid acceleration-deceleration.
Both can occur on their own or together.
Symptoms range from mild headaches and disorientation to seizures, partial paralysis, and coma.
The treatments can also vary, with some requiring no treatment and others requiring surgical decompression of the brain.
2017;26(7):1118-1130. doi:10.1177/0963689717714102
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Shaken baby syndrome.
