Neuro - Neurological emergencies Flashcards
Def status epilepticus
Life-threatening neuro condition - 5 or more mins of either continuous seizure activity or seizure activity w/o gaining consciousness
RF status epilepticus (4)
Non-adherence to anticonvulsant Dx
Chronic alcoholism
Refractory epilepsy
Toxic/metabolic causes
1st step Mx status epilepticus
A-E
High flow O2
BM
Temp
Establish Hx /collateral Hx
IV access
2nd step Mx status epilepticus
After 5 mins
Buccal midazolam or IV lorazepam
3rd step Mx status epilepticus
After another 10 mins - give 2nd dose of benzos
Make sure anaesthatist has been called
4th step Mx status epilepticus
IV phenytoin 18mg/kg
Max = 50mg /min
Acute causes of NM ventilatory compromise
GBS
Myasthenic crisis
Chronic causes of NM ventilatory compromise
MND
Myotonic dystrophy
Sx NM ventilatory compromise (7)
Resp failure
Weak cough
Paradoxical diaphragm movement
Breathless when flat
Use of accessory mm
Incr RR
Can’t clear secretions
Bedside Ix NM ventilatory compromise (2)
VITAL CAPACITY!!!
ABG
ABG results acute NM ventilatory compromise
pH <7.35
PO2 <8
PCO2 >6
Bicarb = low/norm
ABG results chronic NM ventilatory compromise
pH norm
PCO2 >6
Bicarb >26mmol/L
What is a primary traumatic brain injury
Immediate result of trauma
What is a secondary traumatic brain injury
From complications of the trauma
I.e. hypoxia, ischaemia, haematoma
Def concussion
Transient LOC but no persistent neuro signs
Features of concussion
Temporary confusion/amnesia
PS diffuse axonal injury
Decr [ ]/memory
Personality change
Mx diffuse axonal injury
Supportive
2 types of damage in focal brain injury
Coup + counter-coup
What is post-concussion syndrome
Dizziness
Headache
Decr [ ]/memory
Mx post-concussion syndrome
Physio + OT helps
Assessment of someone with suspected head injury
C-Spine
A-E
Record GCS
Hx if conscious
Check for signs incr ICP
Imaging - CT/C spineXR
Signs of declining neurological status after head injury (5)
Decr in GCS
Pupil changes
Development of focal signs
Change in resp rate
Cushings sign - decr pulse but incr BP
Why does Cushings signs occur?
Pressure on medulla oblongata
Bilateral pupil changes after head injury signify
Pre-terminal
Who must have a CT head within an hour? (7)
If GCS <13 on admission
or <15 at 2hrs
Focal neuro deficit
Incr ICP
Suspected skull #
Post-trauma seizure
Vom >1
Who must have CT head within 8hrs (4)
Anti-coag’d
LOC + :
+65 y/o
Dangerous mechanism
Retrograde amnesia >30 mins before injury
Which bone is involved in a posterior fossa fracture?
Temporal bone