What can be seen using brain imaging after a traumatic brain injury?

    Written by:
    Megan Michaux

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    by:

    Jake Hathcock, Nick Milazzo
    Last Updated: May 16, 2025

    Brain imaging after a traumatic brain injury (TBI) may reveal findings such as blood accumulation, brain swelling, neuronal damage, and poor blood flow. Although imaging is crucial for monitoring and managing a TBI, normal results do not exclude the possibility of a brain injury.

    An person with a TBI might have the following findings on imaging:

    • Accumulation of blood within the brain
    • Swelling of the brain
    • Damage to the neurons
    • Poor blood flow to the brain

    Imaging can be an important part of monitoring and managing TBI and can be especially helpful in deciding on the need for neurosurgical interventions. In some cases, multiple scans might be needed. However, normal imaging does not rule out a brain injury.[1]

    What can be seen using brain imaging after a traumatic brain injury? - Examine