Module 11 - Traumatic Brain Injury Flashcards
Head Injury
term used to describe all structural damage to the head
Head Injury is synonymous with…
brain injury or traumatic brain injury (TBI)
The leading cause of death in ages 24+
Head Injury
Main causes of head Injury
road accidents
falls (biggest contributor)
assaults including violence and fire arms
Skull Fracture Types
Simple
Comminuted
Depressed
Basilar
Head Injury Types
Closed
Open
Main Diagnostic Tool for Skull Fractures
Skull X Ray
Simple Skull Fracture
linear break in the continuity of the bone
Comminuted Skull Fracture
refers to a splintered or multiple fracture line
Depressed Skull Fracture
when bone fragments are embedded into brain tissue
basilar skull fracture
fracture of the bones that form the base of the skull
this is an area of the skull that is more fragile
Basilar Area of the skull includes what areas
Include temporarily bone, occipital one, ethmoid bone, sphenoid bone
Ethmoid Cribriform Plate
Most fragile portion of the cranium
Is shattered in basal skull fractures
What 3 things occur with a Basilar Skull Fracture breaking the Ethmoid Cribriform Plate
- CSF leakage from nose or ear leading to potential source for infection of the meninges or brain
- Lacerations to the vessels of the dura leading to intracranial bleeding
- Damage to cranial nerves 1, 2, 3, 7, and 8 if the fracture is near the foramen magnum where the cranial nerves exit the skull
Rhinorrhea
CSF leakage out the nose
can test for high glucose since thats high in CSF and see if it tries in a yellow halo as CSF does
Ottorrhea
CSF leakage from the ear
Types of Brain Injuries
Primary
Secondary
Primary brain injury types
Concussion
post-concussion syndrome
contusion
laceration
Primary Brain Injury (Direct Brain Injury)
damage is caused by impact
Concussion
primary brain injury
Momentary interruption of brain function with or without loss of consciousness
Recovery usually within 24 hours
Cannot be visualized except microscopically (does not appear on CT)
Post Concussion Syndrome
primary brain injury
despite concussions being 24 hours, this can last months
HA, irritability, insomnia, poor concentration and memory issues persisting for months
Contusion
primary brain injury
bruising of the brain
CAN be seen on CT
often distributed along the rough irregular inner surface of the brain
Where are contusions more likely to occur
frontal or temporal lobes –> leads to cognitive and motor deficits
Secondary brain injury types
ischemia
increased ICP
cerebral edema
brain herniation
Secondary Brain Injuries
damage resulting from subsequent brain swelling
The most common cause of secondary brain injuries is…
ischemia
Classifications of brain injuries can be ___ or ___
focal or diffuse
Focal Brain injuries
pinpoint in one area like a knife wound
trauma and bleeding occurs from only one space
neurological deficits a function of the area injured
ex: contusion, laceration, hemorrhaging
Diffuse Brain Injury
widespread brain injury from something like whiplash, shaken baby syndrome, O2 deprivation
ex: Concussion, contusion, diffuse axonal injury (shearing lesion), hypoxic brain injury
Mild Brain Injury
Momentary LOC w/out demonstrating neuro symptoms or residual damage except for possible residual amnesia
Microscopic changes can be detected in neurons and glia within hours of injury
Moderate Brain Injury
longer period of unconsciousness
May be assoc. with focal manifestations such as hemiparesis, aphasia, cranial nerve palsy
many small hemorrhages occur along with some swelling of brain tissue
could be seen on CT
Severe Brain injury
more extensive damage to brain structures and a deeper level of coma
Primary damage to brain is often instantaneous and irreversible
Due to shearing and pressure forces causing diffuse axonal injury, disruption of blood vessels, and tissue damage
Often accompanied by neuro deficits like hemiplegia
often occurs with injury to other parts of the body
Whiplash or shaken baby can cause this
What is the mechanism of brain injury?
- Brain suffer injury and swells or bleeds thus increasing ICP
- Rigid cranium doesn’t allow expansion of contents so ICP increases more
- More pressure on blood vessels within the brain causes blood flow to brain to slow and cerebral hypoxia and ischemia to occur
- ICP continues to rise and the brain may herniate
- Cerebral blood flow ceases