CNS Injury I Flashcards
Translational acceleration from high velocity–> rupture of the bridging veins that connect the cortical brain surface to the sagittal sinus–> hemorrhage into the subdural space–> _______ and _______.
elevated intracranial pressure, distant secondary cerebral injury
What causes “retraction balls?”
shearing of axons
This is bradycardia and HTN in the setting of high ICP.
Cushing’s reflex
What do free radical mediators do?
break down of the BBB–> interstitial (vasogenic) edema–> brain swelling –> increased ICP —> further hypoxia –> dysautoregulation –> herniation
Epidural hematomas typically result from ______.
intracranial, extradural arterial bleeding
What is Cushing’s reflex?
bradycardia and HTN in the setting of high ICP
What is a cerebral contusion?
contusions on the brain caused by an impact or high velocity translational injury
What is a subdural hematoma?
hemorrhage into the subdural space because of rupture of bridging veins that connect the cortical surface of the brain to the sagittal sinus
The principal mechanisms involved in head injuries are either _____ or _____.
- contact
- acceleration/deceleration
This injury occurs at the moment of impact and is largely irreversible.
primary injury
What is a Kernohan’s notch?
when a transtentoral (uncal) herniation compresses the opposite cerebral peduncle against the tentorial edge, causing hemiparesis that is ipsilateral to the mass lesion
This causes break down of the BBB–> interstitial (vasogenic) edema–> brain swelling –> increased ICP —> further hypoxia –> dysautoregulation –> herniation
free radical mediators
What causes subdural hematomas?
translational acceleration from high velocity
What are some consequences of a cerebral contusion?
hemorrhage into areas of damaged brain –> mass effect –> herniation with 2a brain injury
____ in its mild form is thought to underlie the phenomenon of concussion.
Diffuse axonal injury (DAI)
What is the tx for an epidural hematoma?
surgical removal
The highest incidence of head injury occurs in what social class, age, and gender?
- economically disadvantaged
- age 24-35
- males
This is death due to 2nd concussion while still suffering from the 1st one.
second impact syndrome
How is elevated ICP treated?
endotracheal intubation controlled ventilation to a pCO2 of 35mmHg elevation of the head IV osmotic diuretics (mannitol) ventricular catheters drug induced coma w/ barbs
A transtentorial (uncal) herniation compresses the _____ and its ______, usually producing an ipsilateral 3rd nerve palsy and contralateral hemiparesis or hemiplegia.
midbrain; ipsilateral cerebral peduncle
Contact phenomena result from _____.
an object striking the head
This is neuron damage and death by overreaction of receptors for glutamate (NMDA and AMPA).
excitotoxicity
What is the end result of elevated ICP?
reduction and cessation of cerebral blood flow
A ____ compresses the midbrain and its ipsilateral cerebral peduncle, usually producing an ipsilateral 3rd nerve palsy and contralateral hemiparesis or hemiplegia.
transtentorial (uncal) herniation
In _____, the cingulate gyrus is pushed away from the expanding mass and herniates beneath the falx cerebri
subfalcine herniations
This is when the cerebellar tonsils are herniated downward into the foramen magnum (coning) due to mass lesion in the posterior fossa.
tonsillar herniation
These are traumatic separations of the skull at suture lines.
diastatic fractures
What other lesion is a subdural hematoma often associated with?
underlying cerebral contusions
What is a secondary injury?
injury from inadequate resuscitation
This is astrocyte swelling due to K+ influx.
cytotoxic edema
What is the Glascow-Coma Score (GCS)?
an assessment of the head injured pt that correlates w/ the likelihood that the pt has an intracranial mass lesion and the outcome
What is a Duret hemorrhage?
hemorrhage in the brainstem characteristic of uncal herniation –> disruption of ascending RAS
In _____, the uncus herniates across the tentorial edge and downward into the posterior fossa.
transtentorial (uncal) herniation
What is the mortality rate for cerebral contusions?
less than 20%
Name 5 types of skull fractures.
- linear
- depressed
- basilar
- diastatic
- growing
What is the tx for a subdural hematoma?
- surgical removal of the blood clot
- control of intracranial pressure
- restoration of cerebral blood flow
In conditions of extremely elevated extracellular K+, ______.
the glutamate transporter reverses
What is excitotoxicity?
neuron damage and death by overreaction of receptors for glutamate (NMDA and AMPA)
Name the 3 largest causes of brain injury.
- Motor vehicles
- recreation
- violence
What are the steps in the concussion grading scale?
- grade 1 = confusion w/o amnesia or LOC
- grade 2 = confusion and amnesia
- grade 3 = LOC
_____ injuries result from rapid head movement that can create shear, tensile, and compressive strains.
Acceleration/deceleration