Head-in-motion contusions in young adults.

The pathogenesis of contusions was studied in a series of acute fatal closed head injuries. Important factors include: 1. whether the head was in motion or stationary; 2. the direction and magnitude of the force; 3. the presence of depressed fractures and lacerations; and 4. roughness of the overlying bone. In the young adult group, the frequent high velocity motor vehicle accidents create a dominant pattern of injury to the frontal and temporal lobes, usually sparing the occipital lobes and cerebellum.