ASSESSMENT OF SPEECH AND COGNITIVE FUNCTIONS 10 YEARS AFTER TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY IN ADOLESCENT: CASE STUDY

Overview

This paper deals with the case study of an adolescent after severe traumatic brain injury and its consequences, including the mention of prognostic factors and predictors of the development of the individual's state of health. It concerns a boy who, at the age of 13 years, suffered a serious brain injury - bleeding into the right lateral ventricle, frontal contusion on the right, diffuse brain oedema, multiple fractures of the right cranial vault and fractures of the facial bones. His epidural haematoma was evacuated on the right side of a decompression craniectomy. The boy was in a coma vigil for 4 months. In addition to initial basal stimulation and massage, he was given dysphagia therapy, performed breathing exercises, practised oral placement therapy, and used alternative communication at home with pictograms and pictures. 10 years after the accident, there was a sudden progression from the anarthria level to speech in words and phrases. Improvements were also seen in his cognitive function. Given the type, extent, location of brain damage and the severity of functional deficits, this case indicates a positive trend and possible rehabilitation potential, even in the late stages of rehabilitation.

Keywords:

Speech – traumatic brain injury – predictors – functional outcome