The influence of dynamic response and brain deformation metrics on the occurrence of subdural hematoma in different regions of the brain.

OBJECT

The purpose of this study was to examine how the dynamic response and brain deformation of the head and brain-representing a series of injury reconstructions of which subdural hematoma (SDH) was the outcome-influence the location of the lesion in the lobes of the brain.

METHODS

Sixteen cases of falls in which SDH was the outcome were reconstructed using a monorail drop rig and Hybrid III headform. The location of the SDH in 1 of the 4 lobes of the brain (frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital) was confirmed by CT/MR scan examined by a neurosurgeon.

RESULTS

The results indicated that there were minimal differences between locations of the SDH for linear acceleration. The peak resultant rotational acceleration and x-axis component were larger for the parietal lobe than for other lobes. There were also some differences between the parietal lobe and the other lobes in the z-axis component. Maximum principal strain, von Mises stress, shear strain, and product of strain and strain rate all had differences in magnitude depending on the lobe in which SDH was present. The parietal lobe consistently had the largest-magnitude response, followed by the frontal lobe and the occipital lobe.

CONCLUSIONS

The results indicated that there are differences in magnitude for rotational acceleration and brain deformation metrics that may identify the location of SDH in the brain.