Cerebrovascular Disease and Trauma Flashcards
What is cerebral oedema
Excess accumulation of fluid in the brain parenchyma
What are the two main types of cerebral oedema (2)
Vasogenic - disruption of the blood brain barrier
Cytotoxic - secondary to cellular injury (e.g. hypoxia/ischaemia)
What does cerebral oedema result in
Raised ICP
How is cerebral oedema cleared from the parenchyma (3)
Into subarachnoid CSF
Into ventricles
Into bloodstream
What does cerebral oedema look like on CT
Loss of differentiation of brain parenchyma
What is a non-communicating hydrocephalus
Involves obstruction of flow of CSF
What is a communicating hydrocephalus
Involves no obstruction, but problems with reabsorption of CSF into venous sinuses
What is ICP measured in
mmHg
What is the normal ICP at rest
7-15mmHg for a supine adult
What can cause a rise in ICP (3)
Space occupying lesions
Oedema
Or both!
What are the consequences of raised ICP
Increased pressure forces brain against unyielding bony wall of skull - results in herniation of brain structures where space is available
What are the three areas of brain herniation (3)
Subfalcine herniation
Transtentorial herniation
Tonsillar herniation
What is the third largest cause of death in the UK
Stroke
How many people does stroke affect every year
More than 100,000 people
What is the definition of a stroke (WHO)
A stroke is a clinical syndrome characterised by rapidly developing clinical symptoms and/or signs of focal, and at times global loss of cerebral function, with symptoms lasting more than 24 hours or leading to death, with no apparent cause other than that of vascular origin.
What causes of stroke does the WHO definition include (4)
Cerebral infarction.
primary intracerebral haemorrhage
Intraventricular haemorrhage
Most cases of subarachnoid haemorrhage
What causes of stroke does the WHO definition exclude (4)
Subdural haemorrhage
Epidural haemorrhage
Intracererbral haemorrhage
Infarction caused by infection or tumour
What is a transient ischaemic attack (TIA)
A temporary blockage of a cerebral artery by a clot - this is a warning stroke that should be taken very seriously
How long does a TIA typically last
Less than 5mins, on average lasting 1min
What are the consequences of a TIA
There is usually no permanent injury to the brain
What proportion of people with get a TIA will suffer a significant infarct within 5 years
1/3rd
What is a good predictor of future infarcts
TIA
What is a haemorrhagic stroke
A haemorrhage into the substance of the brain, due to the rupture of a small intraparenchymal vessel
What is the most common location of haemorrhagic strokes
Basal ganglia
What is a risk factor for a haemorrhagic stroke (2)
Hypertension - present in over 50% of bleeds
Arteriovenous malformations
How does a haemorrhagic stroke present (4)
Severe headache
Vomiting
Rapid loss of consciousness
Focal neurological signs
Where do arteriovenous malformations occur within the CNS
Anywhere
When do arteriovenous malformations become symptomatic
Anywhere between the 2nd and 5th decade (mean age 31.2 years)
How do arteriovenous malformations present (4)
Haemorrhage
Seizures
Headache
Focal neurological deficits
What is high pressure within an ateriovenous malformation associated with
Massive bleeding