acceleration-deceleration injury
acceleration-deceleration injury
Brain injury caused by blows, MVAs/RTAs, etc., which is a major cause of brain morbidity, resulting from the abrupt movement and deformation of the brain in the cranial cavity.The immediate loss of consciousness that follows ADI is attributed to deformation of the brainstem and reticular activating system, with concomitant shearing, stretching, and diffuse neuronal and axonal injury; tissue destruction is greatest in the inferior frontal gyri and anterior temporal lobes.
Mechanisms
• Acceleration—The head suddenly accelerates (e.g., a blow to the head), and the stationary brain is struck by the accelerated cranium at the site of the blow; and
• Deceleration—A rapidly moving skull is abruptly stopped (e.g., an auto accident), while the brain continues forward and impacts directly below the site where the skull stops.
acceleration-deceleration injury
Emergency medicine Brain injury due to blows, MVAs, etc, which is a major cause of cerebral morbidity, related to abrupt movement and deformation of the brain in the cranial cavitywhip·lash in·ju·ry
(wip'lash in'jŭr-ē)Synonym(s): acceleration-deceleration injury.