CT Head Trauma ; Lecture Flashcards
Why is head trauma significant in clinical practice?
It is the leading cause of death in people under 30. Males are 2-3 times more likely to sustain brain injuries, primarily due to motor vehicle accidents, assaults, and falls in the elderly.
The two most common causes of head trauma are _________ and _________.
motor vehicle accidents; assaults.
What are the key indications for a CT head in trauma?
To assess for fractures of the cervical spine or skull.
To evaluate brain asymmetry, subarachnoid hemorrhage, and fractures.
To differentiate intra-axial (brain) from extra-axial (outside brain) masses.
What structure runs across the top of the brain?
Falx cerebri.
The _________ lobe is located at the back of the brain and is responsible for visual processing.
occipital
What are the four main spaces where blood can accumulate in traumatic brain injury (TBI)?
Extradural/epidural (between skull and dura).
Subdural (between dura and arachnoid membrane).
Subarachnoid (in the CSF space).
Intra-axial (within the brain tissue).
True/False: Acute blood appears hyperdense (bright) on a CT scan.
true
Over time, acute blood on a CT scan transitions from _________ to _________ to _________.
hyperdense; isodense; hypodense.
What is the characteristic shape of an EDH on a CT scan?
Lentiform/convex shape.
EDH is most commonly caused by laceration of the _________ or dural veins.
middle meningeal artery.
EDH >—cm³ should be evacuated surgically.
EDH >30 cm³ should be evacuated surgically.
How does SDH differ from EDH in its CT appearance?
SDH appears concave and can cross sutures but not dural reflections (e.g., falx or tentorium).
The most common cause of SDH is disruption of _________ veins.
bridging cortical.
True/False: Acute SDH with >10 mm thickness or >5 mm midline shift requires surgical evacuation.
True.
Where should you look for SAH on a CT scan?
In the interpeduncular cistern and Sylvian fissure.
A diffuse SAH is typically caused by a _________ rupture.
aneurysm.
What is the most common cause of IVH?
Rupture of subependymal vessels or reflux of SAH.
True/False: IVH can result in a blood-CSF level seen in the occipital horns of the ventricles.
True
Longitudinal temporal bone fractures are associated with _________ hearing loss, while transverse fractures are linked to _________ hearing loss.
conductive; sensorineural.
What are three critical aspects to assess on a CT head in trauma?
Associated fractures.
Types of bleed.
Complications such as midline shift or cerebral edema.
What are key signs of an intracranial bleed on CT?
Hyperdense (bright) areas for acute bleeds.
Crescent shape for subdural hematoma.
Lentiform shape for extradural hematoma.
A _________ hematoma appears as a crescent shape, while a _________ hematoma is lentiform on CT.
subdural; extradural.
What imaging findings are typical in an ischemic stroke?
Loss of gray-white matter differentiation.
Hypodensity in the affected vascular territory.
Hyperdense vessel sign (e.g., MCA).
How does diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) on MRI help in stroke?
It highlights areas of restricted diffusion, indicating acute ischemic changes.
: What conditions are commonly assessed with angiography in neuroimaging?
Aneurysms.
Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs).
Stenosis or occlusions.
How do you differentiate between mass effect and midline shift on neuroimaging?
Mass effect: Compression of adjacent structures.
Midline shift: Displacement of midline structures due to pressure.
