TBI or ABI?

General
1

Hi,
I often read how a bleed within or on the brain is referred to either a TBI or ABI. I have never been told which category mine comes under. I had a bleed within my cerebellum so am curious to which abbreviation it would come under. Does anyone have any views on this? Thank you. Jo

2

Hey Cornishwaves,
Prior to my current situation I used to have a role assisting people with brain injuries. We had to ‘try’ to separate out differing types of injuries as differing types received differing government funding. But sometimes the differences can be very much open to interpretation. The results from each are the same, a brain injury.

I’ll try to explain it. A TBI is a Traumatic Brain Injury and an ABI is an Acquired Brain Injury.
A TBI is caused by a traumatic event, often a force outside of the skull or a force coming to a sudden stop. . ie a moving vehicle hitting a concrete wall
An acquired brain injury is often seen as a result (or lack of) a bodily function. If oxygen is deprived to the brain for too long an acquired brain injury can result. For example a stroke

The distinction between ABI and TBI can become a little less clear when the patient has an underlaying condition such as an aneurysm which ruptures as the result of a motor vehicle accident, for example. Trying to get a TBI vs ABI distinction in this scenario can often be a bit like trying to staple jello to the wall, with many specialists all having their own view.

The abbreviations ABI and TBI have nothing to do with the location of the injury ie the cerebrum or the cerebellum, but rather the cause. I think the easiest way to view them is that a TBI is caused by trauma and an ABI covers most other brain injuries. But this is a debate that can go on and on and … some argue that if someone’s predisposed or has an underlaying condition then it can’t be a TBI, even if the external force is the trigger. Some are of the view that any external force makes it a TBI …and the debate continues…

Hope it helps
Merl from the Modsupport Team

1 Like
3

Thank you for your reply and explaining :pray: