Lecture 7: Pathology of Head Spinal Trauma Flashcards
What is caput succedaneum?
An edematous swelling formed under the presenting part of the scalp of a newborn infant as a result of trauma sustained during delivery
What is galea aponeuortica?
A muscle that covers the upper part of the cranium
-attached to the frontal and occipital bellies and allows scalp to move freely over underlying bone
What is the cephalhematoma?
A hemorrhage between the skull and the periosteum of newborn baby
Boundaries are limited to individual bone because periosteum is like the covering of a specific bone
What is the periosteum?
A membrane that lines the outer surface of all bones
What are the general rules of head trauma?
- Extent of external lesion is not a reliable indicator of deeper lesions
- Lethal lesion(s) of skull/brain may be small or absent
What is soft tissue?
The tissues that connect, support, or surround other structures and organs of the body
NOT being bone
Includes: tendons, ligaments, fascia, skin, fibrous tissues, fat, synovial membranes, muscles, nerves and blood vessels
What are the different types of fractures?
- Linear
- Compound
- Complex
- Depressed
- Contrecoup
What is a linear fracture?
SECONDARY to contact with large flat object
-fracture begins along inner table
(Outer and inner table refer to layers of cranium that are separated by diploe)
Not associated with abnormality
What is a compound fracture?
A fracture associated with a scalp LACERATION
What is a complex fracture?
Fracture involving MULTIPLE bones
What is a depressed fracture?
Appears as a fragment of skull being depressed
Secondary to contact with small objects
Example: bullet
What is a contrecoup fracture?
A fracture located distant from point of injury
What is difference between coup and contre coup contusion?
Coup is the contusion occurs at the site of impact
Contre coup is the contusion occurs at a point opposite from point of impact
What are basal skull fractures and hinge fractures associated with?
Motor vehicular accidents
What’s a hinge fracture?
A severe form of basal skull fracture in which you can open occipital bone (lateral to foramen magnum) like a book
Individual dies from this
What are the key characteristics of epidural hemorrhages?
Serious, individual dies ARTERIAL bleeding Lucid interval (minutes to hours) Middle meningeal artery Compresses brain from the lateral side