10. Differentiating brain lesions and spinal cord lesions

Question 1

Traumatic brain injury

Answer 1

Sudden physical damage to the brain.

• Closed head injury (e.g. impact of the head w/an object)
• Penetrating brain injury (e.g. bullet piercing the skull)
• Acquired: Tumor, stroke, infection

Question 2

Traumatic spinal cord injury

Answer 2

Damage to the spinal cord:

• In most cases, the spinal cord remains intact, but the damage results in loss of nerve function.
• Injuries to the neck or back may damage the spinal cord, causing loss of function of the nerves below the injury.

Question 3

Signs and symptoms comparison

Answer 3

Symptoms of Spinal Injury:

• Headache; pain in the neck or back
• Swelling in the affected area
• Bruises on head, neck, shoulders, or back
• Weak., tingling, or numbness in the arms or legs
• Loss of bowel or bladder control
• Difficulty breathing
• Loss of bladder & bowel control can occur w/severe injury anywhere in the spinal cord

Symptoms of Brain Injury:

• Injury requiring emergency medical care (10%)
• Difficulty communicating
• Temporary confusion or memory loss
• Loss of coordination or balance
• Blurry or double vision
• Changes in smell
• Loss of consciousness