brain trauma and injury - Sheet1 Flashcards
What is a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)?
An alteration in brain function or evidence of brain pathology caused by an external force.
Which gender has the highest incidence of TBI?
Males.
What are common causes of TBI in children and older adults?
Falls.
What are the two classifications of primary TBI injury?
Focal (affects one area of the brain) and diffuse (affects more than one area, such as with diffuse axonal injury (DAI)).
What is a secondary injury in TBI?
An indirect consequence of the primary injury, involving cellular and molecular brain events and systemic responses.
What is the mechanism of closed (blunt) trauma?
Caused by accelerating, decelerating, shearing, crushing, and/or compressing forces.
What are manifestations of blunt trauma?
Pain, mental status changes (lethargy, confusion), focal neurological changes, ecchymosis, and bleeding.
How is blunt trauma diagnosed?
History and physical exam, labs (BMP, CBC, Coags), and head CT.
What is penetrating (open) trauma?
An impalement of the head by a foreign object that breaks the dura and exposes cranial contents to the environment.
What are common complications of penetrating trauma?
Meningitis, hemorrhagic injury, and skull fracture.
What is the mechanism behind epidural hematoma?
Arterial or venous bleeding occurs when an artery or vein is ripped away from the skull, leading to a rapid increase in ICP.
What are the manifestations of epidural hematoma?
Severe headache, nausea/vomiting, drowsiness, confusion, seizures, hemiparesis, rapid mental status change, or a lucid period followed by unconsciousness.
What is the most common cause of epidural hematoma?
Motor vehicle accidents (MVAs).
What is a subdural hematoma?
A brain bleed in the subdural space, typically from venous bleeding.
How are subdural hematomas classified?
Acute (within hours), subacute (48 hours - 2 weeks), or chronic (weeks to months).
What are common manifestations of acute subdural hematomas?
Headache, drowsiness, restlessness, agitation, slowed cognition, and confusion.
What are common manifestations of chronic subdural hematomas?
Chronic headaches and tenderness at the site of injury.
What is an intracerebral hematoma?
A hematoma that acts as an expanding mass, increasing ICP and compressing brain tissues, leading to edema and ischemia.
Who is at high risk for intracerebral hematomas?
People on anticoagulant medications.
When do intracerebral hematomas typically appear?
3-10 days after injury.
What are the manifestations of intracerebral hematomas?
Decreasing level of consciousness (LOC), confusion, headache, and neurological deterioration.
What is diffuse axonal injury (DAI)?
Injury to axons caused by shearing or stretching of nerve fibers, affecting widespread areas of the brain.
What are the mechanisms of DAI?
Rotational and twisting movements, as well as acceleration-deceleration forces.
What does the severity of DAI depend on?
The amount of shearing force applied to the brain.
