Head Injury

Question 1

Main causes of head injury

Answer 1

Road traffic accident 
Physical assault 
Fall 
Sport-related injury 
Suicide attempts 
Gunshot injury

Question 2

Main types of head injury

Answer 2

Direct head trauma

Indirect head trauma

Question 3

Possible features of direct head trauma

Answer 3

Bruises
Skin laceration 
Skull fracture 
Closed injury or open injury 
Extradural haematoma

Question 4

Possible features of indirect head trauma

Answer 4

No bruises 
Subdural haematoma 
Traumatic SAH 
Contusion 
Intraventricular haematoma 
Diffuse axonal injury

Question 5

What is the Monro-Kellie doctrine

Answer 5

Pressure-volume relationship that aims to keep a dynamic equilibrium among the essential non-compressible components inside the skull

Question 6

Average intracranial volume in the adult

Answer 6

1700mL

Question 7

Components of intracranial volume

Answer 7

Brain tissue
CSF
Blood

Question 8

Decrease in one component of intracranial volume should result in

Answer 8

compensation by an increase in the other components

Question 9

Most of the blood in the cranial cavity is contained in

Answer 9

the low-pressure venous system

Question 10

Causes of open injuries

Answer 10

Sharp objects
Blunt objects
Gunshot wounds
Explosions

Question 11

When is an injury classed as open?

Answer 11

If both skin and skull are broken, exposing the brain

Question 12

Possible treatments of head injuries

Answer 12

Surgical e.g. reconstruction of bone in depressed skull fracture
Conservative
CSF drain
Palliative/supportive care if low chance of recovery