In comparison with young adults, elderly patients who suffer brain injuries exhibit which characteristic?

Elderly patients who suffer brain injuries often experience more brain contusions compared to younger adults. This is primarily due to age-related changes in the brain, such as increased frailty of blood vessels and decreased brain volume which leads to a greater likelihood of injury upon impact.

In elderly individuals, the brain can undergo significant atrophy, which creates more space within the skull. This increased space means that the brain is less tightly anchored and can move more freely within the cranial cavity, making it more susceptible to contusions when subjected to forces such as falls or blunt trauma. Additionally, older adults may have a higher prevalence of falls, leading to a greater incidence of traumatic brain injury accompanied by contusions.

The other characteristics, such as cerebral blood flow, stretching of bridging veins, and subdural hematomas, tend to contrast with those seen in younger adults. Elderly patients often have decreased cerebral blood flow due to vascular changes, increased stretching of bridging veins due to brain atrophy, and a higher incidence of subdural hematomas as the brain's supportive structures weaken. Thus, the distinction in brain contusions is a crucial aspect to recognize in the context of traumatic brain injuries in the elderly.