Head Injuries Flashcards
In the UK, what are the most common related head injuries?
RTA’s
Alcohol related incidents, including assault
What is the primary concern in head injuries?
Focal and/or diffuse brain trauma
What are some secondary concerns relating to head injuries?
Hypotension
Hypoxia
Infection
Haematoma
Which classification is used to assess conscious level?
Glasgow Coma Scale
List some consequences of head injuries.
Permanent physical disability
Post traumatic epilepsy
Intracranial infection
Psychiatric illness
Chronic subdural haemorrhage
Punch-drunk dementia
Fatal outcome
What is the forensic significance of head injuries?
Need to establish if head injury was accidental, homicidal, suicidal etc.
RECAP- name the layers of the scalp
Skin
Connective tissue
Epicardial aponeurosis
Loose alveolar connective tissue
Periosteum
What is the fibrous outer layer of mater which is adhered to the inner layer or skull?
Dura mater
Which type of mater are blood vessels found?
Arachnoid mater
Which type of mater is adhered to the surface of the brain itself?
Pia mater
List some injuries which can affect the scalp.
Bruises, abrasions, lacerations, incisions, burns/scalds
What may obstruct observation of scalp wounds?
Hair
Which bone is often broken by a punch to the face or falling forward?
Zygomatic arch
Adult skulls are less able to cope with distortion than a child’s. Why is this?
Child’s skull is not fully fused
List the different types of skull fractures you can get.
Linear
Depressed
Comminuted/mosaic
Ring
Contre-coup
Linear skull fractures and one of the more simple skull fractures. Which bones are commonly involved?
Temporal- parietal bones
What can cause linear skull fracture?
Fall onto side or a blow on the head
Describe what is seen in a comminuted/mosaic skull fracture.
Fractures radiate away from point of impact, fragmented skull (like a mosaic)
Describe what is seen in a depressed skull fracture.
Focal impact which may push fragments inwards, potentially causing damage to the meninges, blood vessels and brain
In which type of skull fracture is there a higher risk of meningitis?
Depressed skull fracture
What is a cause of depressed skull fractures?
Weapons, particularly one like a hammer