neurologic/cardiovascular Flashcards
what is alzheimer’s disease?
- presenile dementia
- diffuse form of progressive cerebral atrophy that develops at an early age than the senile period.
the radiographic appearance of Alzheimer’s?
on CT = cerebral atrophy, and symmetrically enlarged ventricles with the prominence of cortical sulci
what is the most common cause of subarachnoid hemorrhage?
berry aneurysm rupture
what are the symptoms that a patient with subarachnoid hemorrhage usually have??
excruciating headache followed by unconsiousness
what are the most common locations for a berry aneurysm?
origins of the posterior cerebral and anterior communicating arteries
what is the radiographic procedure of choice for a subarachnoid hemorrhage?
non-contrast CT scan
what does a non-contrast CT demonstrate for a subarachnoid hemorrhage?
high-density blood in the subarachnoid spaced of the basal cisterns in more than 95% of cases.
why is a contrast-enhanced CT scan not indicated for a subarachnoid hemorrhage?
because the surgeon will not operate on the aneurysm without an angiogram, so the patient will be exposed to the risk of an excessive load of contrast material.
how does an epidural hematoma look like?
biconvex. between inner table of the skull and the dura mater
how does a subdural hematoma look like?
convex and concave (crescentic shaped)
what is another way to say stroke?
acute brain infarction
what are the symptoms that commonly result in stroke?
hemiparesis = weakness of one side of the body
dysarthria = difficulty speaking
what is the purpose of radiographic evaluation in the patient with acute stroke?
to exclude other processes that can simulate the clinical findings (like subdural/parenchymic hemorrhages) before considering the possibility of using anticoagulent therapy.
is contrast CT used in evaluation of patient with stroke?
no. it is contraindicated, because contrast it is a toxic substance that can cross the BBB in the region of the cerebral infarct.
what is a transient ischemic attack?
focal neuro deficits that resolve within 24 hours. temporary occlusion from an emboli
what is the most common primary malignant brain tumor?
gliomas
what is epidural hematoma caused by?
acute arterial bleeding
what is subdural hematoma caused by?
venous bleeding, ruptured veins between the dura and the meninges
what causes cerebral contusion?
when the brain tissue is injured by movement of the brain within the calvaria after blunt trauma to the skull.
does the patient lose consiousness in a contusion?
yes, cannot remember the traumatic event
how does a contusion look on a CT?
low density areas of edema and tissue necrosis, with or without multiple small areas of hemorrhage.
what is the most common site of injury for a contusion?
the frontal and anterior temporal regions
what is most likely the cause of an air fluid level in the sphenoid- sinus on an erect lateral skull xray?
basilar skull fracture
what is meningitis?
cute inflammation of the pia mater and arachnoid as a result of bacterial or viral infection
what is parkinsons disease?
shaking pulsy. progressive degenerative disease. stooped posture, stiffness and slowness of movement, fixed facial expression, involuntary rhythmic tremor that go away with voluntary movement.
what is angina?
feeling of severe chest pain that may radiate to the neck, jaw, and left arm
what artery does an aneurysm most commonly occur in?
aorta, especially the abdominal part
does a saccular aneurysm involve both sides of the arterial wall?
no, only on side
does a fusiform aneurysm affect one side of the wall?
no, the entire circumference
what congenital defect can result in an aortic aneurysm?
marfan’s syndrome
what is an aortic dissection?
disruption of the intima permits blood to enter the wall of the aorta and separate its layers. divided into true and false lumens
where is an aortic aneurysm usually located? at which level
abdominal aorta, below level of kidneys.
what is an aortic aneurym?
dilation of an artery
what causes an aortic aneurysm?
weakness in the wall of the aorta caused by atherosclerosis, infection, trauma, marfans.
danger of a false lumen?
may rupture and lead to aortic aneurysm as a result of the high pressure in the vascular system.
in what patients do aortic dissections usually occur?
with arterial hypertension.
how and where do most aortic dissections begin?
as a tear in the intima immediately above the aortic valve.
is arteriosclerosis a form of atherosclerosis?
no, atherosclerosis is a form of arteriosclerosis
what is the difference between athero and arteriosclerosis?
athero = in vessels of the extremities arterio= in arteries
what is CHF?
congestive heart failure. inability for the heart to propel blood at a rate and volume sufficient to provide an adequate supply to the tissues.
what is the major causes of left-sided heart failure?
CAD, valvular disease, hypertension
