Keyword

Introduction

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of mortality and disability among young individuals, especially in high-income countries [1]. According to a meta-analysis, combining reports from 23 European countries between 1980 and 2003, the incidence rate is about 235 per 100,000 [2]. Increasingly, imaging techniques play a crucial role in the diagnosis and management of patients with craniocerebral trauma, often influencing life or death decisions.

Imaging Techniques

The diagnostic efficacy of plain skull films in TBI is poor. At present, for the management of patients with traumatic brain injury, plain X-ray films no longer play a role; they have been replaced by computed tomography (CT) imaging [3].

CT is the initial imaging technique for evaluation of craniocerebral trauma. In most trauma centers and emergency rooms, CT is readily available. More and more emergency departments position a CT scanner in the receiving area for rapid triage. Moreover, a CT examination can be performed in a few seconds with a modern, state-of-the art multi-detector CT scanner. These machines allow acquisition of multiple thin sections in a much shorter scan time than a single-detector system [4]. Image data can be reconstructed in every plane as well as in 3D views (Fig. 1). Routine utilization of these multiplanar reconstructed (MPR) images also appears to improve diagnosis of traumatic injuries and has been supported in the literature to increase CT accuracy [5]. Modern hospitals almost invariably utilize multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) scanners. Cranial CT is used for evaluation of all forms of intracranial hemorrhage, fractures, brain edema, herniation, and other associated injuries, as well as to evaluate foreign bodies. CT angiography (dynamic contrast-enhanced CT to visualize vascular structures) may be indicated whenever vascular injury is suspected and also in patients with a high-risk mechanism trauma, such as, for example, intraoral trauma, high energy crashes, near hanging, and fractures of skull base and midface [6] or for suspicious hemorrhage patterns.

Fig. 1
figure 1

Volume rendering technique (VRT), obtained from a 3D CT scan data set, reveals multiple skull fractures and displaced bone fragments. The sharp outline of the fracture lines is clearly distinct from the jagged and serrated edges of the cranial sutures in this young child with severe craniocerebral trauma

Full size image

MRI is more sensitive than CT for the detection of parenchymal lesions [7, 8]. It is also indicated whenever there is a discrepancy between the clinical neurological status of the patient and the CT findings.

In this review paper, we aim to present a systematic guide toward interpretation of imaging studies in the patient with TBI.

Scalp Lesions

Scalp lesions are common in head trauma victims (Figs. 2 and 3). Although they are of little clinical importance, the identification of scalp lesions may direct the attention of the radiologist toward the point of impact [9]. CT is rarely performed for isolated scalp injury, but to detect the more critical and suspected intracranial injuries. CT not only visualizes the soft tissue swelling but through correct window (W) and level (L) settings will also illustrate intracranial abnormalities [8]. One important factor influencing the detection rate of soft tissue lesions in CT is the perception of density differences within the lesions and the surrounding tissues such as blood, subcutaneous fatty tissue, or cerebrospinal fluid [10].

Fig. 2
figure 2

(a, b) Axial noncontrast CT scan, revealing a left parietal subgaleal hematoma (“coup” side). On the “contrecoup” side, there is a hyperdense subdural hematoma overlying the right cerebral hemisphere, as well as a basifrontal hemorrhagic contusion. Notice the brain swelling with obliteration of the ambient cisterns around the brainstem

Full size image
Fig. 3
figure 3

(a, b) Hemorrhagic cerebral contusions and subgaleal hematoma. MRI examination performed with (a) sagittal SE T1-weighted images and (b) axial TSE T2-weighted images. Extracranially, there is marked swelling of the subcutaneous soft tissues, due to a massive subgaleal hematoma, which extends from the frontal to the posterior parietal region. Intracranially, there are hemorrhagic cerebral contusions in the right frontal and anterior temporal lobes

Full size image

Table 1 provides an overview of some of the most commonly encountered scalp lesions.

Table 1 Overview of scalp lesions
Full size table

Skull Fractures

Skull fractures constitute a diverse group of traumatic bone injuries with different mechanism of occurrence, topography, complications, and required management. They can be classified according to various parameters:

  • Shape of the fracture: linear, comminuted, and stellate

  • Depressed, non-depressed, and open

  • Anatomic location and extent of the fracture: skull vault, skull base, and craniofacial junction

Simple linear fractures are most common type, especially in children younger than 5 years. Temporal bone fractures represent 15–48 % of all skull fractures and are considered as a separate category of skull injury. Skull base and temporal bone fractures have their own clinical significance; a detailed discussion of these injuries is beyond the scope of this text.

CSF leaks, cranial nerve injuries, orbital injuries, and craniocervical junction injuries are common accompaniments of fractures, especially near the skull base.

Depressed skull fractures (with displacement of the outer table of the skull to at least the level of the inner table) occur in 75 % of cases in the frontoparietal region and are often open (75–90 %).

Patients with skull fractures have a fivefold increased risk of having an intracranial hemorrhage (ICH), and CT is mandatory [11]. Linear skull fractures may be occult on skull radiographs because of the double-layered skull along fractures, when the cross section is oblique to the direction of the X-rays [12]. Similarly, skull fractures may be difficult to see on CT, when parallel to the display plane. The interpreting physician may need to correlate MPR images as well as occasionally rely on the scout image to depict these linear fractures.

In patients with significant TBI, skull fractures are common and are often overlooked on clinical examination. However, in some cases, there is a poor correlation between skull fractures and intracranial injury; severe brain injuries can occur, even without the presence of a skull fracture [8].

Extra-axial Lesions

There are four types of extra-axial hemorrhage to be considered: epidural, subdural, subarachnoid, and intraventricular.

Epidural Hematoma

Epidural hematoma (EDH) is an extracerebral collection of blood between the inner table of the skull and the dura, essentially underlying a bare bone surface. EDH occurs in less than 1 % of patients with head injuries [13]. EDH is typically found on the “coup” injury side and is commonly associated with a skull fracture and laceration of the underlying blood vessel(s) [14]. The recommended imaging method is CT, because it is fast, accessible, and depicts both the fracture and resulting hemorrhage. EDHs are commonly biconvex in appearance and typically do not cross suture lines but may cross the tentorium or falx; their mass effect is mostly caused by the size of extracerebral collection [14]. In the early stage, an epidural hematoma may appear heterogeneous on CT with hyperdense areas of clotted blood and hypodense whirls of non-coagulated blood that in time becomes more homogeneous [14]. This “swirl sign” is an ominous feature and should be carefully noted and communicated to the treating physicians, as it represents active hemorrhage into the collection [15].

EDH may be arterial or venous in origin (Table 2). Arterial EDH is caused by injury of a meningeal artery, commonly the middle meningeal artery. The typical location is the temporoparietal region, with 75 % of EDH occurring adjacent to the temporal bone (Fig. 4). When the blood vessel is lacerated, arterial bleeding results in a rapidly expanding hematoma that exerts mass effect on the brain, focal deformity of the brain, and an increase in intracranial pressure (ICP). The size of the EDH may continue to increase until the arterial perfusion pressure is equilibrated with the elevated ICP. Emergency decompressive surgery is indicated to remove the EDH, stop hemorrhage, and reduce compression on the brain.

Table 2 Epidural versus subdural hematoma
Full size table
Fig. 4
figure 4

(a, b) Acute left arterial epidural hematoma. Noncontrast CT scan upon admission. The left-sided hematoma is biconvex and is limited by the coronal suture anteriorly and by the lambdoid suture posteriorly. The mass effect causes a shift of the midline structures with compression of the left lateral ventricle and dilatation of the right lateral ventricle

Full size image

Venous EDH results from rupture/laceration of a dural venous sinus, or bleeding from diploic veins, again often associated with a skull fracture [16]. Venous EDH is usually located near the anterior wall of the middle cranial fossa (injury of sphenoparietal sinus and/or fracture of the greater wing of the sphenoid bone) and the vertex (injury of the superior sagittal sinus and/or fracture of the frontal or parietal bone) or against the occiput near the tentorium (injury of the transverse sinus and/or occipital fracture) [8] (Fig. 5). Anterior temporal EDH is often a low-pressure hemorrhage, and usually there is no requirement for surgical intervention [16]. Conversely, posterior fossa EDH may urgently require surgical evacuation because of early brainstem compression [16].

Fig. 5
figure 5

(a, b) Venous epidural hematomas, shown in two different patients. Venous epidural hematomas typically are found (a) anteriorly in the middle cranial fossa adjacent to the sphenoparietal sinus and greater wing of the sphenoid bone or (b) adjacent to the transverse sinus. They present a typical, biconvex lens-shaped configuration

Full size image

Subdural Hematoma

A subdural hematoma (SDH) represents an extracerebral collection of blood in the potential space between the dura mater and the arachnoid membrane or “epiarachnoid.” SDHs are relatively common and occur in about 30 % cases of severe head trauma [13]. They are more commonly found on the contrecoup injury side and are not as strongly associated with fractures as EDH [14]. The origin is almost invariably venous, caused by injury of superficial bridging cortical veins. They do cross sutures and may be holohemispheric and are typically limited by the falx and tentorium [14].

On CT, an acute SDH is seen as crescentic hyperdense structure between the brain and the inner border of the skull (Fig. 6). On modern CT scanners, the arachnoid space may be seen adjacent to the brain opposing the SDH. SDHs do not penetrate into sulci. Over time, the density decreases and they may become isodense to the adjacent brain. Therefore, MRI may be a preferred imaging method in later stages.

Fig. 6
figure 6

(a–c). Acute left subdural hematoma. The CT scan shows hyperdense areas of clotted blood and some hypodense components indicating active bleeding. There is mass effect on the left cerebral hemisphere, with transtentorial herniation. The high-density area in the brainstem indicates a secondary brainstem hemorrhage or so-called Duret hemorrhage. There are also hemorrhagic cerebral contusions in both cerebral hemispheres

Full size image

Subacute SDH occurs as hyperintense lesion on T1- and T2-weighed images due to extracellular methemoglobin [17] (Fig. 7). Chronic subdural hematoma is also well evaluated by MRI, which can clearly distinguish the size and extent of the collection as well as the development of the enhancing, capillary-rich membrane associated with resorbing SDH [17]. Chronic subdural hematomas are variable in signal but may retain T1 or FLAIR hyperintensity (Fig. 8).

Fig. 7
figure 7

(a, b) Subacute left subdural hematoma. MRI examination performed with (a) sagittal SE T1-weighted image and (b) axial TSE T2-weighted image. The MR images show the typical appearance of a crescent-shaped left subdural hematoma. There are multiple internal septations, representing strands of fibrovascular granulation tissue, derived from the inner (meningeal) layer of the dura. The hematoma extends over the surface of the left cerebral hemisphere from the frontal to the occipital region. The blood is hyperintense on T1-WI and on T2-WI, indicating the presence of extracellular methemoglobin

Full size image
Fig. 8
figure 8

(a, b) Chronic left subdural hematoma. MRI examination, including (a) axial TSE T2-weighted image and (b) axial turbo-FLAIR image with fat saturation. On the T2-weighted scan, the chronic subdural hematoma overlying the left cerebral hemisphere is hyperintense and appears isointense to cerebrospinal fluid (CSF); however, on the FLAIR image, the signal intensity is higher than CSF, indicating a different protein content

Full size image

The development of the vascular membranes, that are common in chronic SDH, is an important feature in the subsequent development of rehemorrhage into these collections, representing the “acute or chronic” form of SDH. These collections may appear quite complex in nature, with mixed and layered signal intensities, and are difficult to manage [18].

Traumatic Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is common and often focal. It can be due to superficial cerebral abrasions, direct leptomeningeal vascular injury, or intraventricular hemorrhage with subarachnoid reflux [8]. The estimated incidence rates for SAH are 10–25 per 100,000 per year [19]. Acute SAH is easily recognizable on noncontrast CT as gyriform high attenuation in the subarachnoid space. It will penetrate sulci. The attenuation of blood on CT decreases as the hemoglobin concentration decreases [20]. The combination of SWI and FLAIR yields a distinctly higher detection rate for SAH due to their complementary detection capabilities [21]. FLAIR is sensitive for superficial/convexity SAH, while SWI adds value for the centrally located SAH, e.g., the interhemispheric fissure, interpeduncular fossa, supracerebellar cistern, and intraventricular subarachnoid blood [21]. The recognition of subtle SAH is important in the trauma setting, as this finding alone will typically result in an extended in-hospital evaluation of the patient.

Traumatic Intraventricular Hemorrhage

Traumatic intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) occurs as a result of the tearing of subependymal or choroidal veins or reflux of SAH into the ventricular system. It may also be seen in association with diffuse axonal injury of the corpus callosum. The incidence of IVH in nonpenetrating head injury is 1.5–3 % and 10–25 % of patients with severe head injury [22].

On CT IVH may appear as a hyperdense collection in the ventricular system. MRI is more sensitive to IVH, and DWI and FLAIR are the preferred sequences for identifying IVH (Fig. 9). During the first 48 h, IVH appears hyperintense on FLAIR, but subsequently the signal intensity may be variable [23]. Pulsatile flow artifacts in the third and fourth ventricle may compromise the usefulness of the FLAIR technique [8]. 3D-FLAIR techniques are more useful in this regard. SWI is extremely sensitive in detecting intraventricular hemorrhage. IVH appears as a typical hypointense area of susceptibility [24].

Fig. 9
figure 9

(a, b) Posttraumatic intraventricular and subarachnoid hemorrhage. MRI examination, including (a) axial turbo-FLAIR image with fat saturation and (b) axial diffusion-weighted trace image (b =1000). In the left occipital horn, there is intraventricular blood, with a hemorrhagic sedimentation level, and markedly restricted diffusion. In addition, there is evidence of subarachnoid hemorrhage, best seen on the FLAIR images

Full size image

Intra-axial Lesions

Cerebral Contusion, Hemorrhagic Versus Nonhemorrhagic, and Coup Versus Contrecoup

Cerebral contusions are focal injuries of the brain surface due to direct impact with the skull and are most common at sides of bony protuberances. They are, in essence, to be considered as “a bruise of the brain.” The consequent lesions are hemorrhagic or edematous and may progress to necrosis [25].

Hemorrhagic contusions are superficial and have either a “salt-and-pepper” appearance or may appear more solid [26]. When a traumatic brain injury results in a cerebral contusion and hemorrhagic contusion, they may progress during the first several hours and can be associated with SAH [27]. Predominantly affected areas are located in the supratentorial region – anterior frontal and temporal lobes and the gyri around the sylvian fissure.

On CT, hemorrhagic contusions appear as heterogeneous, hyperdense cortical lesions surrounded by an irregularly marginated hypodense (edematous) component. In the acute stage, CT may be more sensitive than MRI, as acute hemorrhage can be nearly indistinguishable from brain parenchyma on MRI. Subsequent CT performed between 24 and 48 h after traumatic brain injury often demonstrates previously undetected contusions or more extensive hemorrhage and increased edema. MRI is more sensitive than CT to depict cerebral contusions after the first 24 h because of the visualization of “nonhemorrhagic” contusion or contusions with predominant edema. This is particularly true of FLAIR [8, 25]. The ability of MRI to detect hemorrhagic brain lesions increases proportionally to the evolution of blood products in these lesions. Hemosiderin and also deoxyhemoglobin have increased magnetic susceptibility that make SWI or T2* gradient-echo sequences very sensitive for detecting hemorrhagic lesions [28, 29]. Four to six months after injury, the lesions become cystic and lose volume and therefore become hypodense on CT [30], although MR findings of hemorrhage persist.

Table 3 provides an overview of sequential signal intensity changes of intracranial hemorrhage on MRI.

Table 3 Sequential signal intensity changes of intracranial hemorrhage on MRI (1,5 T)
Full size table

Contusions may be bihemispheric and occur along the vector of the force applied to the skull on the site of impact and the opposite region of the brain. These injuries are referred to as “coup” (side of injury) or “contrecoup” (opposite the injury). In closed head injury, for example, after an abrupt stop, the force translation can result in this pattern [30]. The coup injury is on the side of primary impact, often identified by scalp lesions or skull fracture. “Contrecoup” lesions are the mechanical consequence of an acceleration/deceleration trauma and occur on the opposite side of impact. They are often larger and more extensive than the coup lesions, perhaps because of the initial displacement of the brain toward the contrecoup location [8, 30, 31].

Diffuse Axonal Injury (DAI)

Diffuse axonal injury is a common type of primary neuronal injury in patients with severe head trauma with an incidence up to 50 % of trauma victims [30, 32]. DAI occurs when the brain is exposed to shear strain forces that lead to lesions at interfaces between two adjacent tissues with different densities or rigidities, such as gray and white matter [33], or areas where the brain is relatively anchored to an adjacent structure, such as the cerebral or cerebellar peduncles or corpus callosum. Predominantly affected areas in decreasing order of frequency are the gray-white matter junction, corpus callosum, basal ganglia, brainstem, and mesencephalon. The severity of the lesions increases toward the cerebellum, whereas axonal injury in the brainstem is considered to be an indicator for degeneration to coma in DAI [8, 33].

Its important clinical relevance and various clinical manifestations have contributed to the development of radiological imaging techniques for detection of DAI. As mentioned, DAI is a common primary injury in brain trauma, and CT examination is still the mode of choice in severe trauma patients in the acute phase because of its great value in detecting petechial hemorrhagic lesions and fractures and because of its rapid and convenient acquisition. Unfortunately, CT severely underestimates the extent and number of DAI lesions, especially of nonhemorrhagic lesions [34] (Fig. 10). Therefore, whenever there is a discrepancy between the clinical status of the patient and the CT findings, MRI should be recommended. In the early stage, diffusion-weighted images are of great importance to detect DAI. In addition, FLAIR sequences are useful for the detection of areas of gliosis. Gradient-echo sequences (GRE) are also superior to CT in subacute or chronic hemorrhagic head injuries because of paramagnetic blood degradation products [33, 34].

Fig. 10
figure 10

(a–f) Diffuse axonal injuries in a 14-year-old boy, 4 days after a motor vehicle accident: (a) axial noncontrast CT scan; (b) axial turbo-FLAIR image; (c) axial TSE T2-weighted image; (d) axial gradient-echo FLASH T2*-weighted image (TE = 25 ms); (e) axial diffusion-weighted image (DWI) with b = 1,000; (f) axial apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) map. The noncontrast CT-scan shows several punctate petechial hemorrhages at the gray-white matter junction of the frontal lobes. These lesions are hyperintense on turbo-FLAIR and T2-weighted images. On the T2*-weighted image, multiple hypointense hemosiderin deposits are seen at the gray-white matter junction and in the corpus callosum. The appearance, multiplicity, and topographical distribution are typical of hemorrhagic shearing injuries. On the DWI scan, the lesions are hyperintense, and on the ADC maps, the lesions are hypointense, indicating restricted diffusion

Full size image

New advanced MRI techniques like diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) offer more sensitive detection and differentiation of DAI. In DTI, the specific water diffusion direction in the white matter is used to detect microstructural conditions that result in restriction in the diffusion of the molecules and alter the values seen on FA (fractional anisotropy) maps [35, 36]. A recent study showed that DTI is a very qualitative and useful way for clinical evaluation of DAI. The authors found decreased anisotropy in the corpus callosum even in patients with normal results on FLAIR and GRE [37]. Multiple additional studies demonstrate the utility of DTI, but application to individual patients remains challenging because of a wide number of variables [38].

Vessel Injury

Carotid Artery-Cavernous Sinus Fistula (CCF)

In the traumatic carotid artery-cavernous sinus fistula (CCF), there occurs a direct communication between the cavernous segment of the internal carotid artery (ICA) and the cavernous sinus. The underlying cause is often a laceration of the ICA due to blunt or penetrating head trauma. The fistula leads to engorgement and dilatation of the cavernous sinus with successive congestion of the superior ophthalmic vein (SOV) and inferior petrosal sinus [28].

Specific imaging signs of CCF are enlargement of the cavernous sinus or ipsilateral SOV on CT or MR and multiple flow voids on MRI. MRA may demonstrate arterialized flow in the cavernous sinus or SOV.

Traumatic Aneurysms

Traumatic intracranial aneurysms are rare and represent less than 1 % of all aneurysms. They are most common in children [39]. Predominant locations are the cavernous and infraclinoid segment of ICA, as well as along the anterior cerebral artery.

The gold standard in imaging of traumatic aneurysms is cerebral angiography, but CT angiography (CTA) is widely used because of its speed and ease of acquisition [40].

Traumatic Vascular Dissection

Traumatic vascular dissections are unusual complications of brain injury. The injury is caused by a tear in the intimal layer of an artery, resulting in several potential findings, including a “false” lumen within the media. Dissection occurs as a consequence of the contact with the skull in blunt head trauma or less frequently with penetrating trauma [41]. The incidence in blunt trauma victims is 0.86 % for ICA and 0.53 % for traumatic vertebral artery dissections.

Again, different techniques may provide a diagnosis of vessel dissection. Conventional angiography remains a useful examination. Although the intramural hematoma cannot be visualized, the “string sign” and a “flame-shaped tapering” are common radiological features [42]. Ultrasound examinations, especially B-mode and color-flow Doppler, are also increasingly used in detection of traumatic dissections. To detect subtle luminal abnormalities or wall abnormalities in dissection, both CT and MRI, as well as CTA and MRA, are superior to catheter angiography.

Secondary Lesions

Definition

Secondary brain damage results from the posttraumatic pathophysiologic cascade that follows the initial injury and contributes to delayed tissue injury and neuronal loss.

Intracranial Hypertension

Intracranial hypertension may occur after severe cerebral injury and can be a significant finding, resulting in progressive neural dysfunction. After traumatic brain injury, intracranial hypertension may be caused by cumulative edema, hemorrhage, or swelling after contusion. The presence of any of these signs is suspicious: loss of gray-white junction indicating cerebral edema, midline shift, a significant hematoma, herniation, or change in ventricular shape or size [28].

Brain Herniation (Table 4)

Table 4 Cerebral herniation types
Full size table

Cerebral herniation is the most common and dangerous secondary effect of increased ICP [8]. Cerebral herniations are the most common secondary effect of an expanding intracranial mass. Due to the herniation, the subarachnoid spaces and basal cisterns become obliterated, hydrocephalus develops, vascular compression may result in brain ischemia, and compression on vital brain tissue may cause profound neurological deficits.

Secondary Brainstem Hemorrhage (Duret Hemorrhage)

Secondary brainstem hemorrhage (also known as “Duret hemorrhage”) can occur in craniocerebral trauma patients with rapidly evolving descending cerebral herniation [43]. It is evident on CT as a hyperdense brainstem lesion, typically found in lower mesencephalon and ventral pons (Fig. 6). It is not clear whether the origin is arterial or venous, but in the majority of cases, the outcome is fatal [8, 43].

Ischemic Lesions and Infarction

Posttraumatic ischemic lesions are common craniocerebral trauma complications with poor clinical outcome. MRI plays an important role in diagnosing this condition by demonstrating multiple areas of abnormal signal intensity on T2-weighted and FLAIR images [8]. On diffusion-weighted scans, these lesions are seen in the acute phase as hyperintense signal with corresponding hypointense signal on ADC [44]. Of all posttraumatic ischemic lesions, the classic lesion is an ipsilateral posterior cerebral artery infarction in the setting of significant supratentorial mass effect, secondary to any traumatic lesion with mass effect. The causative lesion may be an extra-axial hemorrhage or intracranial hemorrhage associated with edema and mass effect. The posterior cerebral artery may be compressed and transiently occluded between the brain and the free edge of the tentorium. Other intracranial arteries may be occluded or compromised secondary to herniation, including the middle and anterior cerebral arteries [45].

Infections

The risk of local wound infections, meningitis, ventriculitis, or cerebral abscess is particularly high among penetrating head traumas because of the presence of contaminated foreign objects, skin, hair, and bone fragments driven into the brain tissue along the projectile track [46]

Posttraumatic Sequelae

Posttraumatic Encephalomalacia

The term “posttraumatic encephalomalacia” refers to loss of brain tissue after craniocerebral trauma. Gross pathology shows weakening or cystic cavitation of brain tissue, with blurred cortical margins and surrounded by gliotic scar tissue. The basal part of the temporal lobes and anterior pole of the temporal lobes are most frequently affected. CT scans show hypodense areas of tissue loss, particularly in these parts of the brain. On MRI, encephalomalacia is identified as (multi)cystic areas of tissue loss, surrounded by an irregular rim of gliosis, best seen on FLAIR images as a hyperintense rim (Fig. 11). Posttraumatic encephalomalacia is a very serious condition, resulting in lifelong disability, neurological dysfunction, epilepsy, or even death in some cases.

Fig. 11
figure 11

(a, b) Posttraumatic encephalomalacia and gliosis. Axial (a) and coronal (b) turbo-FLAIR images with spectral fat saturation. MRI performed 4 years after severe head injury. There are areas of posttraumatic tissue loss in the basal part of the frontal lobes bilaterally. The areas of tissue loss are surrounded by gliosis, which is hyperintense on the FLAIR images. In addition, there are old diffuse axonal injuries, seen as gliotic foci at the gray-white matter interface, e.g., in the upper part of the left frontal lobe

Full size image

Growing Skull Fracture

A growing skull fracture is a rare but well-known complication of pediatric head trauma [47]. Its incidence ranges from less than 0.05 to 1.6 % [48]. CT and MRI findings include a diastatic fracture and brain herniation through the skull defect; it can also be accompanied by cystic lesions (meningocele) within the fracture and encephalomalacia [48].

Traumatic CSF Leaks

Traumatic cerebrospinal leakage is a complication seen in 2 % of all head-injured patients and in 12–30 % of cases of basilar skull fractures [49]. The most common locations are the cribriform plate (forming the roof of the ethmoid) and the walls of the frontal sinus [50]. Intracranial air may be an important sign. Careful evaluation of fractures that are contiguous to sinuses is key to making a correct diagnosis. Persistent opacification of sinuses contiguous to a fracture is of particular suspicion. Suggesting the presence of a CSF leak will usually result in testing of fluid in the contiguous sinus for the presence of beta-2 transferrin, a dependable marker of CSF.

Diabetes Insipidus

The prevalence of central diabetes insipidus (DI) after TBI is 1.7–26 %, often resulting from injury or transection of the infundibulum. MRI is the technique of choice for pituitary imaging. A sagittal T1-weighted image demonstrates a posterior pituitary “bright spot” in healthy individuals. The absence of this “bright spot” in diabetes insipidus is a nonspecific sign of DI [51]. In addition to the absence of this sign, an ectopic “bright spot” in the proximal stump of the transected, retracted proximal stalk or hypothalamus may be identified. If there is clinical suspicion of trauma-related DI, a dedicated pituitary examination is the appropriate examination.

Quantitative Imaging in Patients with Traumatic Brain Injury

Diffusion-Weighted Imaging (DWI) with ADC Maps

Diffusion-weighted imaging measures the motion of water molecules and thus helps visualize the physiologic state in the brain [8]. There are physiologic phase shifts or signal loss due to this normal semi-random motion of water molecules. In distinction, areas with abnormal diffusion reflect alterations in the normal water diffusion and appear bright on DWI [29]. The apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values indicate the decrease in the diffusion with corresponding hypointense signal on ADC maps [29]. DWI has become an important tool in diagnosing TBI, acute stroke, and white matter diseases [8].

Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) and Diffusion Kurtosis Imaging (DKI)

Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is derived from specialized DWI with multiple directions and can measure not only the degree but also the direction of water diffusion [52]. It allows in vivo visualization of the integrity of white matter tracts. The main application is in diffuse axonal injury.

Diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) is an extended technique, derived from DTI, and allows diffusional kurtosis to be evaluated using diffusion-weighted imaging techniques [53]. With DKI, both gray and white matter can be evaluated.

Outcome Prediction with Imaging Parameters

Imaging is a very important clinical tool for diagnosis, prognosis, and visualizing therapy outcomes following TBI. Although structural imaging techniques such as CT or MRI offer a rapid evaluation of the brain status and may help predict survival, more information is necessary. Detailed information of cerebral perfusion has also proven useful in management and in assessing outcomes [29].

Several imaging techniques are available to visualize the brain physiology: CT perfusion, MR perfusion, SPECT, fMRI (functional MRI), PET, and MRS (MR spectroscopy).

MRI sequences like DTI, FLAIR, GRE/SWI, and DWI are increasingly used in predicting outcome [54].

Conclusion

Imaging studies represent an essential element in the management of patients with significant neurologic trauma. Diagnosis of the extent of the initial injury is critical to triage patients to surgical or nonsurgical management. Repeated follow-up to determine potential secondary injury patterns and also determine the success of management schemes is of significant value and improves patient outcomes. Imaging techniques have shown considerable promise in improving our knowledge of the patterns and significance of intracranial injury and in suggesting and monitoring therapies to treat these patients and determine their prognosis.