Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major public health concern in the United States. Each year, an estimated 1.7 million people sustain a TBI. The impact of TBI can be devastating, leading to long-term physical, cognitive, and emotional disabilities.
In recent years, there has been growing interest in using advanced neuroimaging techniques to improve our understanding of TBI and help guide clinical care for these patients. In this article, we will discuss how neuroimaging plays a vital role in the diagnosis and evaluation of TBI patients.
Neuroimaging Can Help with Diagnosis and Treatment
Neuroimaging can provide valuable information that is otherwise unavailable to clinicians. Imaging can reveal the physical structure of the brain, allowing for more accurate diagnosis and treatment planning. It can also help assess for damage due to TBI, such as shearing injuries or edema. By providing a detailed picture of the brain, imaging can help identify areas of concern that may be linked to functional impairments and disabilities.
Advanced imaging techniques are particularly important in evaluating patients with mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI). MTBI is often difficult to diagnose because its symptoms may not readily appear on traditional structural imaging such as computed tomography (CT) scans or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
However, advanced MRI techniques such as diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and functional MRI (fMRI) can provide more detailed information about the structure and function of the brain. These techniques are particularly useful for assessing cognitive deficits, which are common in MTBI patients.
Neuroimaging Can Guide Clinical Care
Neuroimaging can also provide important information to help guide clinical care. For example, DTI can be used to monitor changes in the white matter tracts of the brain over time. This information is valuable for evaluating treatment efficacy and determining when a patient may need additional interventions or therapies. fMRI is also helpful because it can reveal how different parts of the brain interact with each other during various tasks, providing insight into potential deficits caused by TBI.
We Can Help TBI Patients
If you’ve suffered a TBI due to negligence, you may be eligible for compensation for your losses. Don’t hesitate to reach out to our skilled team right away with any questions you may have.
Call our Los Angeles attorneys at (866) 634-4525 or contact us online to get in touch with someone from our team about the details of your case right away. We will fight to recover your full and fair compensation.