Diffuse injury of the Papez circuit by focal head trauma: a diffusion tensor tractography study

Excerpt

Precise diagnosis of the extent and severity of neural injury following head trauma is clinically important for development of the treatment strategy, providing information regarding final outcome, and protection of the patient’s rights. Focal or diffuse brain injury can occur as a result of head trauma [1]. Focal brain injury occurs in a localized area of the brain, whereas diffuse brain injury occurs throughout the brain [1]. Brain injury can be easily diagnosed when a brain lesion is visible on the brain CT or MRI; however, precise diagnosis is difficult in cases of accompanying diffuse axonal injury (DAI) in patients with mild traumatic brain injury or cerebral concussion. Diffusion tensor tractography (DTT) has been used in diagnosis of DAI, which is not visible on conventional brain MRI following head trauma [2]. …