Brain + Spine Injury

Question 1

What S+S should prompt placement in a C spine collar?

Answer 1

Midline tenderness
Neuro S+S
Significant distracting injuries 
Head injury
Intoxication 
Dangerous mechanism of injury 
Hx of altered LOC

Question 2

Features of mild traumatic brain injury

Answer 2

Headache, sleep disturbance, N+V, blurred vision
Attention deficit, drowsiness, amnesia
Changes in emotion + behaviour
Severe concussion

Question 3

Causes of traumatic brain injury

Answer 3

Falls
MVC
Struck by an object
Assault

Question 4

What investigation is most important in a ?spinal injury

Answer 4

Lateral C spine x ray

Question 5

What level does cauda equina occur + what are the S+S?

Answer 5

Any injury below T10

Incontinence, anterior thigh pain, quad weakness, abnormal sacral sensation, decreased rectal tone, variable reflexes

Question 6

Immediate consequences of C spine fracture

Answer 6

Spinal shock - decreased reflexes, no sensation, flaccid paralysis
Neurogenic shock - loss of vasomotor tone - occurs within 30 mins of SCI at T6 or above

Question 7

What is autonomic dysreflexia?

Answer 7

Pts with SCI at T6 or above
Pounding headache, nasal congestion, anxiety, vision changes, raised BP
Triggered by bladder distention, UTI, kidney stones, fecal impaction