Head injuries

Question 1

Basilar skull fracture common location

Answer 1

Petrous portion of the temporal bone, the external auditory canal

Question 2

Basilar skull fractures s/s

Answer 2

Associated with dural tearing and CSF leak
Mastoid ecchymosis (Battle sign)
Hemotympanum 
vertigo
decreased hearing
7th nerve palsy

Question 3

Epidural hematoma def

Answer 3

Collection of blood and clot between dura mater and the bones of the skull, often the pterion suture, bleeding from the middle meningeal artery.

Question 4

Epidural hematoma History and s/s

Answer 4

Trauma with possible initial brief LOC followed by a lucid interval, the rapid deterioration.

Increased ICP symptoms

Question 5

Epidural hematoma on CT?

Answer 5

Lenticular (biconvex) appearance on CT

Question 6

Subdural hematoma def

Answer 6

Bleeding in the dura and arachnoid mater.

Question 7

Subdural hematoma rf, s/s

Answer 7

RF: atrophy (elderly and alcoholics)

s/s: can be acute or chronic, may or may not have neuro symptoms

Question 8

Subdural hematoma CT scan findings

Answer 8

Bleeding that conforms to the cerebral cortex

Looks more like a banana, epidural looks more like a lemon