Even if your CT scan was read as normal or clean, you may have sustained a serious brain injury. While modern medicine has advanced significantly in the last 50 years, CT (computed tomography) scans are not 100% accurate.

Can a CT Scan Miss a Brain Injury?

A CT scan is a form of x-ray which uses computers to make detailed cross-section views of bones, organs, and other soft tissues. CT scans are designed to be quick and efficient but are not nearly as accurate as MRI scans. CT scans are often used in the emergency room to detect major signs of trauma. MRI scans take much longer (usually 30 to 60 minutes) but are more detailed and can find injuries that a CT scan does not show.

If your symptoms worsen dramatically after a concussion or head injury, it is very important that you immediately go to the emergency room. You potentially could have a life-threatening brain bleed that was initially missed on a CT.

When Should You See a Concussion Specialist?

If you are having concussion symptoms (headaches, difficulty concentrating, word-finding issues, balance and/or vision problems) more than one week after an accident or trauma to your head, then you should consult with your primary care physician and, even better, a concussion specialist. While your primary care physician may be a great doctor, they don't specialize in brain injuries the same way a concussion clinic does.

Concussion specialists are often found at sports medicine and concussion clinics where they specialize in evaluating and treating brain injuries caused by concussions. Your medical provider may recommend an MRI be done, which can show injuries that a CT scan does not show or missed initially.

Can You Have a Brain Injury With a Normal MRI?

Even if you have an MRI that shows no damage to your brain, it is still possible that you have sustained a brain injury on a microscopic level. There has been a lot of research done on NFL players, and brain biopsies have shown microscopic damage to their brains, which supports their symptoms. Other more detailed tests can show injuries to your brain that are not normally done during medical care and treatment.

One of these detailed tests is called a Diffusion Tensor Imaging MRI, also known as a DTI MRI, which can reveal damage at a smaller level. DTI MRI tracks the random motion of water molecules inside brain tissues to see how water moves freely in some areas versus restricted in others. This can detect microscopic axonal injuries and concussions that a standard MRI does not show.

You probably wonder why they would not do the DTI MRI in the beginning? This is because they are not widely available, and currently the only ones available in Iowa are at the University of Iowa and MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center. To get a DTI MRI scan, it usually requires that there be coordination with an ordering neurologist or other specialized imaging scheduler. The DTI MRI is not used in the normal course of treatment, so it has to be ordered specifically.

How Long Does a Concussion Take to Heal?

Whether you have sustained a concussion from a motor vehicle crash in Iowa or from a work injury, the harsh reality is that a concussion is an injury to your brain that may or may not heal completely. Most minor concussions heal within a few weeks, but there is always a percentage of even minor concussions that never completely heal. The more severe your concussion is, the more likely that you may end up with some permanent residual problems.

There are a few ways to determine the severity of a concussion, including whether you lost consciousness and for how long, if you were disoriented, and whether the CT or MRI scans show damage to your brain, etc. Healing from a concussion is a gradual process, and you will likely have restrictions for weeks or even months after your injury.

This is one of the many reasons why it is important to see a concussion specialist as soon as possible, as they have treatment options available that your primary care physician does not know about or does not provide.

What Factors Affect Concussion Recovery?

Statistically, around 50% of people are fully recovered within 2 weeks, 75-80% are fully recovered within 4 weeks, and 96% are fully recovered within 8 weeks. These statistics are affected by several factors, including but not limited to the following:

Medical Treatment: Seeing a doctor (especially a concussion specialist) within the first week can significantly improve your recovery time and chances of full recovery.
Age: This is just the opposite of what we normally think, with younger people healing quicker. With concussions, it usually takes longer for high school and youth athletes to recover compared to adults and college-aged athletes.
Biological Sex: Data shows that generally females take longer to heal from a concussion than men.
Injury History: If a person has a history of prior concussions, it will likely take them longer to recover.

Get Help With Your Head Injury

If you or a loved one has sustained a concussion caused by an injury in Iowa, then you should protect yourself. Learning your rights and responsibilities under Iowa law is very important. I imagine that you have many questions about your injury, and we are available to answer your questions and concerns at no cost or risk.

We will take the time to listen to what has happened to you and provide you with advice concerning your best course of action. Just call our office at 641-792-3595 and ask for one of our injury attorneys who is experienced in handling concussion injuries here in Iowa caused by both car accidents and work injuries.

If you are not yet ready to speak with an attorney about your concussion matter, but would like to learn more, then you should request our book that we offer at no cost or risk called "Iowa Personal Injuries, Car Accidents, Workers’ Compensation and Wrongful Death”. Our book reveals 5 Things to Know Before Hiring an Attorney and 6 Things to Know Before Talking to the Insurance Company, and much more.

We offer our book at no cost because, since 1997, we have represented hundreds of Iowans, some of whom made costly mistakes before they came to see us. Iowans are beginning to realize that the insurance company is not there to help them and that they should protect themselves. Finally, you can learn about Iowa injury matters in the comfort of your own home with no cost, no risk, and no obligation. Claim your copy now so you can avoid making a costly mistake.

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