Neurosurgery Flashcards
what is the most common cause of spontaneous subarachnoid haemorrhage?
intracranial aneurysms
which brain haemorrhage can present with signs of meningism?
sub arachnoid haemorrhage
which form of brain injury presents with a lucid interval?
extradural haematoma
how are most SAH now treated?
aneurysm coiling by interventional neuroradiologist
which electrolyte disturbance most commonly occurs following a SAH?
hyponatremia
usually as a result of SIADH
can cause muscle cramps and headache in the days following SAH
a GCS of what score warrants a CT being carried out within 1 hour of initial assessment?
GCS <13
what is recommended for all patients who have a head injury and who are on warfarin, regardless if they have no indications for a CT scan or not?
a CT scan within 8 hours of the injury
what diagnosis should you think of in an old person, prone to falls, with fluctuating confusion and consciousness?
subdural haematoma
what is the presence of a blown right pupil a sign of?
3rd CN compression due to either extradural bleed or trans tenorial herniation
what is the gold standard CT for detecting inter cranial haemorrhage?
non-contrast CT head
blood is hyper dense because of its high electron density and therefore lights up on CT
name one very common complication of intraventricular haemorrhages?
hydrocephalus
excessive volume of CSF within the ventricular system of the brain
patients with hydrocephalus present with symptoms due to raised ICP
what is found in CSF and is indicative of a SAH?
the presence of BREAKDOWN products of RBCs in the CSF
called xanthocromia
what should be done in patients where a SAH is suspected but the CT head is normal?
a lumbar puncture
looks for breakdown products of RBCs (xanthochromia)
what is the most sensitive scan to diagnose diffuse axonal injury?
MRI brain
compare when CT scans with contrast and without contrast are most useful?
CT with contrast: for tumours or possible abscesses
CT without contrast: haemorrhage
