9.2: Head Trauma And Acute Intracranial Events Flashcards
What is concussion?
Head injury with a temporary loss of brain function (due to axonal injury which impairs neurotransmission and reduces cerebral blood flow)
What are the clinical signs indicating a basilar skull fracture?
Raccoon eyes CSF rhinorrhoea CSF ottorhoea Battles sign Haemotypanum Bump on head
Where does blood collect in an extradural haemorrhage?
Between the inner surface of the skull and the periosteal layer of the dura mater
Extradural haemorrhage is most often due to trauma where?
At the pterion, severing the middle meningeal artery
What shape will an extradural haemorrhage appear on CT?
Lemon
Which type of brain haemorrhage will cause the px to present with a lucid interval?
Extradural haemorrhage
(Loss of consciousness immediately, then transient recovery. Then decline in consciousness as haematoma enlarged and RICP)
Which type of brain haemorrhage is banana shaped on CT?
Subdural haemorrhage
Where does the blood collect in a subdural haemorrhage?
Between the meningeal dura mater and arachnoid mater
Will acute brain bleeds be hypo or hyper dence on CT?
Hyperdense
But overtime will become more hypodense (darker)
What type of brain haemorrhage can be seen chronically in elderly?
Subdural
E.g. cerebral atrophy increases forces on cortical bridging veins causing them to shear
Where does blood collect in a subarachnoid haemorrhage?
Between the arachnoid and Pia mater
What type of brain haemorrhage can occur due a ruptured berry aneurysm?
Subarachnoid haemorrhage
How will a px with a subarachnoid haemorrhage present?
Sudden onset thunderclap headache Nausea Vomiting Loss of consciousness Fever
What a some risk factors for berry aneurysms?
HTN
Family hx
High alcohol consumption
CT disorder e.g. Marfans, Ehlers Danlos
What will a lumbar puncture show for a subarachnoid haemorrhage?
RBC presence
