Coup contrecoup injury

Coup contrecoup injury

A Coup contrecoup injury (pronounced: /kuː kɒntrəˈkuː/) is a type of brain injury that occurs when the brain is jolted within the skull, causing damage at the site of impact and on the opposite side of the brain.

Etymology

The term "coup contrecoup" is derived from the French words "coup" meaning "blow" and "contrecoup" meaning "counterblow". This refers to the dual impact that characterizes this type of injury.

Description

In a coup contrecoup injury, the brain first suffers a coup injury at the point of impact, then a contrecoup injury on the side opposite the impact as the brain rebounds against the skull. This can result in contusions or hematomas on both sides of the brain.

Causes

Coup contrecoup injuries are typically caused by high-impact events such as car accidents, falls, or sports injuries. They can also occur as a result of shaken baby syndrome or other forms of violent shaking.

Symptoms

Symptoms of a coup contrecoup injury can vary widely depending on the severity of the injury and the areas of the brain affected. They may include headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, loss of consciousness, and neurological deficits such as difficulty speaking or moving.

Treatment

Treatment for a coup contrecoup injury may involve surgery to relieve pressure on the brain, medication to control symptoms, and rehabilitation therapy to help the patient regain lost skills and abilities.

Related Terms

• Concussion
• Traumatic brain injury
• Diffuse axonal injury
• Intracranial hemorrhage

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Coup contrecoup injury
• Wikipedia's article - Coup contrecoup injury

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