HLTH 2501: acute neurologic problems Flashcards
what can tumors be called in the brain?
space-occupying lesions
gliomas
are the largest category of primary malignant tumors and these arise from one of the glial cells (the parenchymal cells in the CNS); these can be further subdivided because of the cell of derivation
most common type of glioma
astrocytomas
types of brain tumors
gliomas, meningioma, or adenoma (pituitary gland)
what are secondary brain tumors often a result of?
breast or lung tumors
diagnosis for brain tumors
stereotactic biopsy or MRI
what do primary malignant brain tumors appear as?
not well-defined margins (project into adjacent tissue) and are surrounded by an area of inflammation
what brain tumors are common in young children?
brainstem and cerebellar tumors
where do brain tumors often develop in adults?
in the cerebral hemispheres
signs of brain tumors
morning headaches, vomiting, lethargy, irritability, personality changes, seizures, paralysis, visual problems, and adenomas will cause endocrinologic signs
why are there no systemic signs associated with brain tumors?
because they do not metastasize outside of the CNS and will cause death before this can occur
brain tumor treatment
surgery is often the treatment of choice, but chemo and radiation may also be used
2 origins of vascular disorders
hemorrhagic or ischemic
global cerebral ischemia
may develop secondary to severe shock or cardiac arrest and occurs when impaired perfusion of the entire brain results in loss of function and generalized cerebral edema
mild signs of global cerebral ischemia
will cause confusion and neurologic dysfunction but recovery will occur with no permanent damage
severe or prolonged global cerebral ischemia signs
significant diffuse necrosis or infarction will result in a deep doma
causes of a transient ischemic attack
results from temporary localized reduction of blood flow in the brain (partial occlusion of an artery, atherosclerosis, a small embolus, a vascular spasms, or local loss of autoregulation)
TIA
transient ischemic attack
what may a TIA predict?
a stroke
signs of a TIA
short episodes of impaired function (such as muscle weakness), visual disturbances, numbness, paresthesia, and transient aphasia
paresthesia
abnormal sensation of the skin or pins and needles
another name for a stroke
cerebrovascular accidents
stroke
is an infarction of brain tissue that results from lack of blood
two main causes of a stroke
2 ways; the brain tissue may become necrosis, leading to a total occlusion of a vessel by atheroma or embolus, which causes ischemia; it may also be the result of a ruptured vessel, causing a hemorrhage and increased ICP
how long of ischemia does it take to cause cell damage?
5 minutes
what is the result of ischemia in the brain?
a central area of necrosis develops, surrounded by inflammation, in which the tissue liquifies, leaving a cavity in the brain
three types of cerebrovascular accidents
thrombus, embolus, or hemorrhage
most common cause of a stroke
occlusion of an artery by an atheroma that often develop in large arteries
obstruction by an embolus leading to a stroke
may be lodged in a cerebral artery or in the heart, and may result from tumors, air, or infection
hemorrhage causing a stroke
usually is caused by the rupture of a cerebral artery is a patient with severe hypertension and cause increased ICP
most severe type of stroke
hemorrhage because they affect large portions of the brain
secondary effects of a hemorrhage stroke
the bleeding may result in vasospasms, electrolyte imbalances, acidosis, and cellular edema
what are strokes diagnosed with?
an MRI
what are neurons replaced with after a stroke?
residual scar tissue and cysts
secondary complications of strokes
recurrent strokes, contractures as a result of paralysis, and secondary problems related to immobility like pneumonia, aspiration, and constipation
contracture meaning
A permanent tightening of the muscles, tendons, skin, and nearby tissues that causes the joints to shorten and become very stiff
risk factors for a stroke
diabetes, hypertension, lupus, elevated cholesterol, hyperlipidemia, atherosclerosis, a history of TIA, increasing age, obstructive sleep apnea, oral contraceptives, cigarette smoking, and heart disease
warning signs of a stroke
sudden weakness, numbness or tingling in the face, arm or leg, or on one side of the body, loss of speech, confusion, sudden loss of vision, severe headache, and unusual dizziness or unsteadiness
stroke scale
created by the national institute of health and includes commands to determine capacity for speech, level of consciousness, motor abilities, and assessment of eye movement
small infarctions and strokes
small infractions may make a ‘silent stroke’ in which there are not obvious signs until several small infarctions have occured
evolving stroke
is a stroke that develops slowly over a period of hours
paralysis for a stroke
flaccid paralysis will first occur, and spastic paralysis will develop weeks later
what are the signs of a hemorrhagic stroke
severe headache and increasingly severe neurologic defects
signs of a stroke resulting from occlusion of an anterior cerebral artery
this affects the frontal lobe so signs are contralateral muscle weakness or paralysis, sensory loss in the leg, confusion, loss of problem-solving skills, and personality changes
signs of a stroke resulting from occlusion of an middle cerebral artery
affects the central hemisphere so contralateral paralysis and sensory loss of the upper body and arm occur; as well, aphasia when the dominant hemisphere of the brain is affected, or spatial relationships are impacted if it is the right lobe
signs of a stroke resulting from occlusion of the posterior cerebral artery
vision loss as the occipital lobe is affected
clot-busting agents
are tissue-plasminogen activator which reduces the effects of the stroke
function of glucocorticoids for a stroke
reduce cerebral edema
treatment for stroke
can be clot-busting agents, surgery to relieve obstruction, glucocorticoids, O2 supply, getting the patient to stand up to maintain muscle tone, PT, OT, speech therapy, and treating the underlying problem ex. hypertension
what is an aneurysm?
a localized dilation in an artery caused by the force of blood (hypertension) leading to a bulging in the wall
where do cerebral aneurysms occur?
at the points of bifurcation on the circle of Willis, specifically at points of weakness in the wall, often where branching occurs
development of an aneurysm
initially they are asymptomatic and develop very gradually until they compress a nearby structure or until rupture occurs
what does an aneurysm rupture result from?
a sudden increase in BP during exertion, causing bleeding to occur into the subarachnoid space and the CSF
blood in the meninges
is irritating and will cause an inflammatory response and an irritation of the nerve roots passing through here; it can also cause a vasospasm in the cerebral arteries, as well as a hemorrhage which will cause increased ICP
signs of an aneurysm that is creating pressure
pressure on the surrounding structures such as the optic chiasm or the cranial nerves can lead to the loss of the visual fields and it can also result in a headache
signs of small leak aneurysm
headache, photophobia, and intermittent periods of dysfunction such as confusion, slurred speech, or weakness, and a stiff neck (nuchal rigidity)
phototopia
increased sensitivity of the eyes to light
nuchal rigidity
is a stiff neck that develops as a response to escaped blood that irritates the spinal nerve roots and causes contractions in the neck
signs of a massive rupture aneurysm
immediate and severe blinding headache, vomiting, photopia, and sometimes seizures of a loss of consciousness; death may also occur
treatment for an aneurysm
is often treated with surgery through clipping or tying it off, while also focusing on reducing increased ICP and cerebral vasospasm
how do microorganisms arrive at the brain through the blood?
they can bind to nasopharyngeal cells, cross the mucosal barrier, attach to the choroid plexus, and enter the CSF
what does the brain look like when infected by meningitis?
inflamed and swollen (there is increased ICP as a result), blood vessels appear dilated, and purulent exudate covers the surface, filling in the sulci causing them to appear flat
meningococcus other name
neisseria meningitidis
meningococcus
is the classic meningitis pathogen and enters in the nasopharynx of carriers; it is spread by respiratory droplets and occurs more often in the late winter and early spring
treatment for meningococcus organism
prophylactic treatment
E coli and meningitis
commonly affects neonates and is common is those with a neural tube defect, premature rupture of the amniotic membranes, or a difficult delivery
haemophilus influenzae and meningitis
commonly occurs in the autumn or winter and often affects young children
meningitis in elderly people
is often caused by streptococcus pneumoniae
common organisms causing meningitis
streptococcus pneumoniae, haemophilus influenzae, E coli, and meningococcus (neisseria meningitidis)
other causes of meningitis
can be secondary to other infections like sinusitis or otitis, may result from an abscess that spreads, or can be a result of viral infections like mumps or measles
signs of meningitis (specifically meningeal irritation)
severe headache, back pain, photophobia, nuchal rigidity, kernig sign, and brudzinski sign
kernig sign
resistance to leg extension when lying with the hip flexed
brudzinski sign
neck flexion cause flexion of hip and knee
signs of meningitis (specifically for increased ICP)
vomiting, irritability, lethargy, and seizures
signs of meningitis (specifically for infection)
fever, chills, leukocytosis, and a rose-colored petechial rash over the body
signs of meningitis in a newborn
feeding problems, irritability, lethargy, a high-pitched cry, and bulging fontanelles (soft spots on head)
potential complications of meningitis
hydrocephalus, cranial nerve damage, mental retardation, seizures, or motor impairment
fulminant meaning
rapidly progressive and severe
fulminant meningitis
is caused by highly virulent organisms, causing intravascular coagulation or hemorrhage of the adrenal glands, resulting in vascular collapse or shock and death