Cerebral Concussion vs. Cerebral Contusion

Left picture: The diagnosis is a cerebral concussion. Right picture: In this case a severe cerebral contusion is present. Infants are often alert immediately after head trauma (GCS 15), and very short disturbances of consciousness and behavior escape the observation of the parents.

In one patient one eye is closed, and in the other both eyes are closed. Both patients sustained a head injury a few hours ago. Left picture: The impression arises that the infant looks at the examiner, and that he is interested somehow in the environment. Right picture: The eyelids are not swollen, the eyes are not opened in spite of pain stimuli, and a withdrawal reaction is missing (GCS maximum 5).