When a head injury occurs, concerns about its severity often lead to questions about medical imaging like CT scans for diagnosing concussions. This article clarifies the capabilities of CT scans in head injury assessment and explains how concussions are typically identified by medical professionals.
The Nature of Concussions and CT Scans
A CT scan, or computed tomography scan, uses X-rays and computer processing to create detailed cross-sectional images of the inside of the body, including the brain and skull. While these scans are effective at showing many physical structures, they generally do not show a concussion. This is because a concussion is primarily a functional injury to the brain, not a structural one that would be visible on standard imaging.
Concussions involve microscopic changes at the cellular level, affecting how brain cells function and communicate. The brain’s structure remains largely intact, meaning there are no significant visible changes like bleeding, swelling, or tissue tears that a CT scan is designed to detect. Even when clear symptoms of a concussion are present, a CT scan often appears normal because it cannot visualize these subtle disruptions in brain activity.
What a CT Scan Reveals
A CT scan plays a role in assessing head injuries by identifying severe, life-threatening structural issues. Doctors frequently order a CT scan after a head injury to rule out dangerous conditions that require immediate medical intervention.
This imaging technique is highly effective at detecting structural abnormalities such as skull fractures. The scan can also reveal intracranial hemorrhage, or bleeding inside the skull, including blood clots or bruising within the brain tissue. Additionally, a CT scan can identify brain swelling (edema) or shifts in brain tissue that indicate significant trauma. Detecting these conditions promptly is important for guiding treatment decisions and preventing further damage.
How Concussions Are Diagnosed
Concussion diagnosis relies on a comprehensive clinical evaluation. Medical professionals assess a patient’s symptoms, review the circumstances of the injury, and conduct a thorough neurological examination.
Common symptoms that may suggest a concussion include headache, dizziness, confusion, nausea, sensitivity to light or sound, and problems with memory or concentration. During the examination, a healthcare provider checks various neurological functions, such as vision, hearing, balance, coordination, and reflexes. They may also evaluate cognitive skills, including memory, attention, and the ability to recall information. The diagnosis is therefore based on a combination of patient-reported experiences and objective assessments of brain function.