Grading of Brain Contusions by Modified Method: An Autopsy Study

Quantification and analysis of brain contusion was initially done in 1970’s followed by 2005. They derived brain contusion index based on parenchymal depth and surface distribution of contusion over brain. We conducted this study with the objectives of whether severity of contusion index determines Post trauma survival, is there a region specific contusion which determines Post trauma survival and finally, is there any region specific contusion in cases according to their mode of occurrence. The study was conducted in Department of Forensic Medicine, Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi. It was a prospective study conducted on the brains of twenty eight cases of fatal brain trauma having contusions which were received for medicolegal autopsy at the mortuary. We conclude that Contusion severity scale does not bare any relation with the Post trauma survival. In comparison to the mode of injury, there is no relation with the distribution of contusions over the brain. Post Trauma Survival is variable with contusions over cerebral and cerebellar hemispheres, but, in cases with contusions over brainstem, the Post trauma survival was less than 72 hours.