Headache Flashcards
Differentials for acute onset headache
SAH
Raised ICP
Meningitis
Venous sinus thrombosis
Where is the headache/pain located in SAH?
occpital region
Where might you see blood in CT of a patient with SAH?
circle of willis and ventricles
What is a cause of SAH?
berry aneurysm
What is the treatment for SAH?
vasospasm- nimodipine
Which organism is the most common cause of meningitis in very young and old patients?
listeria
Name a virus that causes meningitis
HSV
Why do you treat meningitis with steroids?
to prevent hearing loss
Aside from taking CSF sample to investigate SAH/meningitis, what else must you do?
take serum sample to compare glucose, WCC etc
How would the CSF of fungal meningitis compare to viral cause?
fungal- low glucose and raised lymphocytes
viral- normal glucose and raised lymphocytes
bacterial- low glucose and raised neutrophils
Treatment for trigeminal neuralgia?
carbamazipine
Name two types of brain tumours
meningioma, glioblastoma multiforme, schwannoma
Which brain tumour has the worst prognosis?
glioblastoma multiforme
Which is the most common type of brain tumour?
secondary mets
Describe the headache seen with tension headaches
band across head
Describe the headache seen in cluster headaches
unilateral
Name the accompanying features of cluster headaches
lacrimation, conjunctival erythema, rhinorrhoea
What is an important differential for migraine?
seizures, due to visual aura
Which antibiotics used for meningitis in immunocompromised/older patient?
ceftriaxone + amoxicillin
Which bacteria typically causes meningitis in older/immunocompromised patients?
listeria monocytogenes
In listeria meningitis, will the CSF culture be positive?
less likely to be positive in CSF compared to other organisms but more likely to be positive in blood cultures
Which organism that causes meningitis is associated with hyponatraemia?
listeria
What is you differential diagnosis for young female with headache, nausea, papilloedema? (+seizure)
raised ICP: SOL, cerebral venous sinus thrombosis, idiopathic intracranial hypertension (this would not cause a seizure)
Investigations for raised ICP due to venous sinus thrombosis?
CT venogram
CT head