Traumatic Brain Injury Practice Test

Severe mass effect and brain swelling on CT predict poorer outcomes in pediatric TBI. When a CT shows a large intracranial hemorrhage with compressed basal cisterns, midline shift, and diffuse edema, it reveals substantial brain injury with high intracranial pressure and limited compensatory space. The large bleed increases intracranial volume and risk of herniation; compressed basal cisterns reflect raised pressure with little room for the brain to expand; midline shift demonstrates significant asymmetrical swelling and mass effect; and diffuse edema indicates widespread cerebral swelling and impaired perfusion. Together, these signs correlate with higher mortality and worse functional recovery, making this the strongest CT predictor of poor outcome. In contrast, no edema or an isolated skull fracture generally suggests a milder injury, while subcutaneous air by itself isn’t a reliable predictor of prognosis.