Bruising of brain tissue with potential edema and symptoms including concussion signs and focal neurologic abnormalities describes which injury?

• A. Cerebral contusion
• B. Epidural hematoma
• C. Intracerebral hemorrhage
• D. Subarachnoid hemorrhage

Answer: (A)

Bruising of brain tissue with edema and results including concussion-like signs and focal neurologic abnormalities describes a cerebral contusion. This injury happens when the brain is bruised by the force of impact, causing small vessel tearing and bleeding within the brain tissue along with swelling. The combination of concussion symptoms—like confusion or amnesia—and focal deficits such as weakness or sensory changes depends on the specific brain area that’s affected. Imaging typically shows irregular areas of hemorrhage and edema within the cortex or adjacent white matter rather than a surface hematoma.

Epidural hematoma involves bleeding between the skull and dura and often presents with a rapid decline in consciousness after a brief period of apparent normal function. Subarachnoid hemorrhage is bleeding into the spaces around the brain, usually causing a sudden severe headache and meningeal signs. Intracerebral hemorrhage is bleeding inside the brain tissue itself, which can cause focal deficits as well, but the description here most precisely matches the bruising and swelling character of a contusion.