Which statement about craniocerebral trauma is accurate?

• A. External injury always indicates severe brain injury
• B. Indirect trauma cannot cause brain injury
• C. Cerebral edema and increased intracranial pressure may occur even with minor external injuries
• D. Open injuries are the only serious injuries

Answer: (C)

Brain injury can occur even when the outside of the head looks only mildly injured. After head trauma, the brain can swell (cerebral edema) and intracranial pressure can rise, reducing blood flow and harming brain tissue, even if the external injury seems minor. Indirect forces, like a quick back-and-forth acceleration, can cause brain damage without large surface wounds, leading to edema or other internal injuries. This explains why the seriousness of a brain injury isn’t always reflected by how big or visible the external injury is. Open wounds aren’t the only way to have a serious brain injury; closed head injuries can be just as severe because the damage is inside the skull.