Jules Bianchi suffered diffuse axonal injury in crash
The family of Formula 1 driver Jules Bianchi said in a statement Tuesday that Bianchi suffered a diffuse axonal injury in his crash Sunday at Suzuka.
After the crash, F1 said Bianchi had suffered a severe head injury. A diffuse axonal injury occurs in half of all severe brain traumas according to brainandspinalcord.org.
When someone has a diffuse axonal injury, to say it's not good is a severe understatement. The site says that 90 percent of people with one will never regain consciousness and those that do regain consciousness are "often significantly impaired."
“This is a very difficult time for our family, but the messages of support and affection for Jules from all over the world have been a source of great comfort to us," the family's statement through Bianchi's Marussia F1 team said. "We would like to express our sincere appreciation."
"Jules remains in the Intensive Care Unit of the Mie General Medical Center in Yokkaichi. He has suffered a diffuse axonal injury and is in a critical but stable condition. The medical professionals at the hospital are providing the very best treatment and care and we are grateful for everything they have done for Jules since his accident."
Bianchi's car slid into a tractor that was picking up the crashed car of Adrian Sutil. The track was under a local yellow and before Bianchi had gotten to the accident site drivers were given the sign to accelerate past thre crash zone. The race was run in rain as Typhoon Phanfone approached the Japanese coast.
Here's how a diffuse axonal injury can happen.
Instead, it results from the brain moving back and forth in the skull as a result of acceleration or deceleration. Automobile accidents, sports-related accidents, violence, falls, and child abuse such as Shaken Baby Syndrome are common causes of diffuse axonal injury. When acceleration or deceleration causes the brain to move within the skull, axons, the parts of the nerve cells that allow neurons to send messages between them, are disrupted. As tissue slides over tissue, a shearing injury occurs. This causes the lesions that are responsible for unconsciousness, as well as the vegetative state that occurs after a severe head injury.
A diffuse axonal injury also causes brain cells to die, which cause swelling in the brain. This increased pressure in the brain can cause decreased blood flow to the brain, as well as additional injury. The shearing can also release chemicals which can contribute to additional brain injury.
The family's statement also said that further updates will be provided when appropriate.
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Nick Bromberg is the editor of From The Marbles on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!
