Philip Hughes’ head injury video: How serious is his condition?

By: Shraddha Rupavate | | Updated: November 27, 2014 11:04 am

Latest update: Unfortunately, Phillip Hughes passed away at Syndey hospital two days after being placed in an induced coma, following a surgery. He suffered a skull fracture. (Read: Philip Hughes dead two days after severe head injury) Also Read - Ganesh Chaturthi 2020: 4 reasons an eco-friendly Ganesha is good for you

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The 25-year old Australian batsman got hit by a bouncer delivered by Sean Abbott during South Australia’s Sheffield Shield match against South Wales in its second session. Also Read - ICC World Cup 2019: Common cricket injuries that can keep our Men in Blue out of field

The video that captured this tragic event shows how Hughes tried to hit the shot but unfortunately mistimed it, causing the ball to directly hit him on the lower left side of his head. The impact was so hard that he collapsed within a few seconds, with his face hitting the ground first.

Hughes was instantly driven from the field in a medicab and was given CPR. He was rushed to Vincents Hospital, Darlinghurst in a helicopter, where he underwent a surgery and was placed in an induced coma in an intensive care unit. The outcome of the surgery will be known in a few hours.

What caused Hughes head injury?

The biggest mystery around this tragic event remains as to how a cricket ball can cause such a severe, life threatening head injury, despite the fact that Hughes was wearing a helmet. Although the type of injury Hughes suffered has not been revealed, there could be a lot of possibilities that could have led to his current state. A cricket ball delivered with high intensity and moving at a high speed could injure the head in a number of ways. Here are a few ways that it could be a life threatening for the batsman.

With direct impact on the base of the head, the ball could have injured the cerebellum, part of the brain responsible for control and co-ordination, explaining why he instantly collapsed on the field.
It may have caused a concussion, where the impact extends to the brain. A concussion is caused when the blow to the head is so hard that the brain is shaken inside the skull violently. A concussion could be mild or severe and can also bruise the brain, altering the function of the brain.
If the impact very severe, it could also cause internal bleeding. Bleeding can lead blood and tissue accumulation inside the skull, which can further worsen the injury and significantly alter the function of the part of the brain involved.

What next?

If the injury involves the cerebellum, then Hughes could face a problem in co-ordination, balance and control, depending on the severity of his condition. Also, if the ball has injured his brain stem (the portion of the brain that leads to the spinal cord) the batsman could lose his ability to perform any voluntary and involuntary function like breathing on his own. Apart from that, if other parts of the batsman’s brain have been damaged it could lead to severe complications like memory loss, change in personality, inability to walk, talk, paralysis, etc.

Image source: India.com

Published : November 25, 2014 6:12 pm | Updated:November 27, 2014 11:04 am

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