Traumatic brain injury presenting with bilateral basal ganglia hemorrhage

Abstract

Context: Traumatic basal ganglia hemorrhage (TBGH) is a rare presentation of traumatic brain injury. Bilateral lesions are even rarer. Only twelve similar cases were previously published.

Case report: We report the case of a patient with bilateral TBGH. He was managed conservatively. Long-term follow-up disclosed a cognitive dysfunctions attributed to associated diffuse axonal injury. Acceleration and deceleration forces may have torn pallidum arterial branches determining hemorrhage.

Conclusion: Bilateral TBGH is an uncommon presentation of traumatic brain injury. Associated diffuse axonal injury worsens the outcome.

Keywords: Basal ganglia hemorrhage; Brain injury; Diffuse axonal injury; Traumatic brain hemorrhage; Traumatic brain injury.