Head Injury

Question 1

Types of Head Injuries

Answer 1

Primary- concussion, post-concussion syndrome, contusion, laceration

Secondary-damage from brain swelling (ischemia, ICP, cerebral edema, brain herniation)

Question 2

Concussion

Answer 2

interruption of brain function WITHOUT loss of consciousness, recover in 24 hours

Question 3

Post-concussion Syndrome

Answer 3

Headache, irritability, insomnia, poor concentration and memory may persist for months

Question 4

Contusion

Answer 4

structural damage, bruising, seen on CT

Question 5

Laceration

Answer 5

brain tissue is cut or torn

Question 6

Focal Injury

Answer 6

focused localized portion of brain

contusion, laceration, hemorrhage

Question 7

Diffuse Injury

Answer 7

affects the whole brain

concussion, contusion, axonal injury, hypoxic brain injury

Question 8

Types of Skull Fractures (4)

Answer 8

1. Simple
2. Comminuted
3. Depressed
4. Basilar

Question 9

Simple Fracture

Answer 9

linear break in bone

Question 10

Complex Fracture

Answer 10

Splintered, multiple fracture line

Question 11

Depressed Fracture

Answer 11

bone fragments embedded in brain tissue

Question 12

Basilar Fracture

Answer 12

fracture of bones at base of skull; Ethmoid Cribiform Plate

Question 13

Brain Injury Severity (3)

Answer 13

1. Mild- short LOC, micro structural changes
2. Moderate- longer LOC, hemiparesis, herniation, swelling
3. Severe- coma, irreversible

Question 14

Coup

Answer 14

1st hit, immediate damage at site of impact

Question 15

Countre-Coup

Answer 15

2nd hit, rebound on opposite side of impact

Question 16

Types of Hematomas (4)

Answer 16

1. Epidural
2. Subdural
3. Subarachnoid space
4. Intracerebral

Question 17

Epidural Hematoma

Answer 17

between bone and dura
tear in ARTERY
S/S: periods of unconscious and lucid

Question 18

Subdural Hematoma

Answer 18

between dura and arachnoid
tear in VEIN
1. acute (24 hrs)
2.subacute (2-10 days)
3.chronic (weeks after injry- old people falls)

Question 19

Intracerebral Hematoma

Answer 19

bleeding within the brain tissue; frontal or temporal lobe