28 - Head Injury Flashcards
How common is head injury in the UK
0.4 - 1%
common
leading death under 45
What can happen to the brain if it swells
It can get squashed
What is the Munro-Kelly Doctrine
Explanation of the relationship between Intracranial content and intracranial pressure
What are the usual contents of intracranial volume
Brain, CSF + Blood
What is it called if blood/swelling occupies space in the cranial cavity
A space occupying lesion
How can a space occupying lesion be compensated
CSF into spine
Venous blood into circulation
When does the ICP rise
At the point of decompensation
What happens to the cerebral perfusion pressure as the ICP raises
Decreases as CPP = MAP - ICP
What happens if the CPP falls
Cerebral blood falls
Ischaemia
What is another effect of increased ICP
Herniation of brain out of the skull
What are duret haemorrhages
Bleeding of the brainstem caused by distention of the brain
Where are common areas of brain herniation
Under the falx
Hole in tentorium
Epidural haematoma
Round shape
MMA vulnerable as runs through pterion
Subdural haematoma
Low pressure compartment
Haematomas spread into a C shape
How many kgs is average head
7kgs
