FORENSIC MEDICAL ASSESSMENT OF THE VOLUME OF REPEATED TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY (CASE FROM EXPERT PRACTICE)

Repeated traumatic brain injuries (TBI) pose a unique challenge for both clinical and forensic-medical investigations. The link between the consequences of repeated traumas and previous injuries can be extremely complex due to the similarity of symptoms and pathological changes observed in repeat injuries. Results. The case demonstrates that a severe closed TBI previously suffered by the victim could have contributed to the occurrence of intracranial complications upon subsequent TBI, leading to altered directions of cavitation waves as a result of head impacts and the formation of new contusional foci within previously affected areas, as well as the development of intracranial hemorrhages. The previously suffered severe traumatic brain injury should only be regarded as an unfavorable factor that did not serve as a condition for the development of the repeated TBI and was not causally linked to it but could have facilitated the formation of the extent of the repeated TBI. Conclusions. The presented case highlights that a comprehensive approach utilizing additional laboratory and instrumental diagnostic methods allows for the differentiation of TBIs occurring at different time intervals. Further research on repeated traumatic brain injuries is necessary.