Neurologic Diseases (Exam III) Flashcards
Name the pertinent vasculature of the circle of Willis.
This card is just to look at the picture on the other side.
What factors affect cerebral blood flow?
- CMR (cerebral metabolic rate)
- CPP (cerebral perfusion pressure)
- ICP
- PaCO₂
- PaO₂
What drugs and/or metabolic states will increase CMR?
- Hyperthermia
- Seizures
- Ketamine
- N₂O
Brain tumors (most common) and 8 total types
- Astrocytomas: Astrocytes are the most common CNS glial cells
- Gliomas: Primary tumors. Least aggressive astrocytomas. Often found in young adults w/new onset seizures
- Pilocyctic astrocytomas: Children & young adults
Mostly benign, good outcomes if resectable - Anaplastic astrocytomas: Poorly differentiated
Usually evolve into Glioblastoma Multiforme - Glioblastoma Multiforme: Carry a high mortality
Usually requires surgical debulking & chemo
Life expectance is usually within weeks, even w/treatment - Meningiomas: Usually benign. Arise from dura or arachnoid tissue
Good prognosis w/surgical resection - Pituitary Adenomas: Noncancerous, varying subtypes
Transsphenoidal or open craniotomy for removal is usually curative - Acoustic Neuromas: Usually benign schwannomas involving the vestibular component of CN VIII within the auditory canal
Good prognosis w/resection +/- radiation - Metastatic Carcinomas: can vary widely in origin & symptoms
Outcomes are generally less favorable
All Grand Parents Are Giggly Motivators and Pleasing Acoustic Machines
Brain tumors Preanesthesia considerations
- Review history & physical
- Inquire about previous therapies, presenting symptoms & neurological deficits
- Radiation damage may lead to lethargy and AMS
- Chemotherapy may also have neurological effects
- Pts are often on steroids to minimize cerebral edema
- Will need to continue steroids, monitoring glucose levels
- Anticonvulsants common (supratentorial lesions, closer to motor cortex)
- Autonomic dysfunction may manifest on EKG, labile HR & BP’s
- CBC, BMP (glucose), EKG
- CT/MRI
- Pre-op steroids & antiseizure meds per surgeon
Mannitol often used to reduce intracranial volume & pressure
Name the three components of the brain that form the Monroe-Kellie Doctrine.
- Brain 80%
- Blood 12%
- CSF 8%
What is the Monroe Kellie Doctrine?
Any increase in one component of the intracranial space (blood, brain tissue, CSF) must be met with an equivalent decrease in another to prevent increased ICP.
Methods to decrease ICP
- Elevation of the head: encourages jugular venous outflow
- Hyperventilation: lowers PaC02
- CSF drainage: external ventricular drain (EVD)
- Hyperosmotic drugs: increase osmolarity, drawing fluid across BBB
- Diuretics: induce systemic hypovolemia
- Corticosteroids: decrease swelling and enhance the integrity of the BBB
- Cerebral vasoconstricting anesthetics (propofol): decrease CMR02 and CBF
- Surgical decompression
Causes of Increased ICP
- Tumors (directly b/c of size, indirectly b/c of edema, or obstructing CSF flow)
- Intracranial hematomas
- Blood in CSF
- Infections
What is the normal CPP range?
80 - 100 mmHg
What are the two types of hydrocephalus? Which is more common?
- Obstructive (most common)
- Communicating
Hydrocephalus treament
The majority of cases require surgical treatment
Ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt or endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV)
VP shunt: drain placed in ventricle of the brain and empties into peritoneum
Severe hypoxia will have what effect on cerebral blood flow?
↓O₂ = ↑CBF
PaCO₂ levels are directly proportional to ______ of the cerebral vasculature.
vasodilation
Ex. ↑PaCO₂ = ↑dilation
What does increased central venous pressure do to the brain?
- ↓ venous drainage
- ↑ cerebral blood volume
What things will increase cerebral venous pressure?
- Jugular compression (cervical collar, head rotation, etc.)
- ↑ intrathoracic pressure (coughing, PEEP)
- Vena Cava thrombus
What range is normal for ICP?
5 - 15 mmHg
What symptoms are seen with abnormally high ICP?
- Headache
- N/V
- Papilledema
- ↓LOC
What is the most common site of brain herniation?
Uncal
↑ICP forces temporal uncus into the infratentorial space (see 3 on the figure below).
Subfalcine Herniation
Herniation of hemispheric contents under the falx cerebri; typically, compressing branches of the anterior cerebral artery, creating a midline shift
Transtentorial Herniation
Herniation of the supratentorial contents past the tentorium cerebelli, causing brainstem compression in a rostral to caudal direction. This leads to AMS, defects in gaze and ocular reflexes, hemodynamic and respiratory compromise, and death
Uncal Herniation
a subtype of transtentorial herniation, where the uncus (medial portion of temporal lobe) herniates over the tentorium cerebelli. This results in ipsilateral oculomotor nerve dysfunction
Sx: pupillary dilatation, ptosis, and lateral deviation of the affected eye, brainstem compression and death
Why do the pupils become fixed and dilated with uncal herniation?
CN-3 (oculomotor) crosses near tentorium and is compressed by the herniation.
How can elevated ICP be treated?
Long list
- Elevate HOB 30°
- Hyperventilate
- Drain CSF
- Mannitol
- Diuretics
- Corticosteroids
- Surgical decompression
Hypothermia ______ CBF and CMR.
decreases
What is the Glascow Coma Scale?
see picture below
When would one see bradycardia with a spinal injury?
If the injury is at T1 - T4.
Are more strokes ischemic or hemmorrhagic?
- Ischemic (80%)
- Hemmorrhagic (20%)
Which type of stroke is more likely to cause death?
Hemmorrhagic (4x more likely)
What are specific risk factors for hemmorrhagic stroke?
- HTN
- Cigarettes
- Cocaine
- Female
Hemorrhagic Stroke Treatment
- Conservative tx is centered on the reduction of ICP, blood pressure control, seizure precautions, and vigilant monitoring
- Surgical treatment involves evacuation of the hematoma
- May remain intubated depending on cardiopulmonary stability
ICU monitoring required postoperatively
What are Causes for ischemic stroke?
- large artery atherosclerosis
- small vessel occlusion
- cardioaortic embolic (emboli from aFib)
- other etiology
- underterminded etiology
Ischemic stroke treatment and Pre-anesthetic considerations
- PO Aspirin is often the recommended initial tx for acute ischemic stroke
- IV or intra-arterial recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (TPA) is used when specific criteria is met and must be initiated within a limited time window
- Thrombectomy devices have been used to stent vessels and remove clots
- Revascularization: performed in interventional radiology (IR), allowing for angiographic assessment and radiographic guidance during administration of thrombolytics or thrombectomy
- Pre-anesthetic evaluation should be concise & efficient, avoiding any delay in treatment
- Focus on baseline neuro assessment, ability to safely lay flat, and cardiovascular function
- Determine whether procedure could be done under sedation, or if a secure airway necessary
- Patients w/ischemic stroke frequently have CV risk factors, including HTN, DM, CAD, Afib, and valvular disease, that could impact vasoactive drug choices and hemodynamic goal
Clinical presentation of Anterior Cerebral artery occlusion
Contralateral leg weakness