Neurotrauma Flashcards
What is a TIA?
Transient ischaemic attack - mini-stroke where there is a temporary occlusion of blood supply to the brain. Symptoms resolve within 24 hours.
What is the difference between a cerebrovascular accident and a transient ischaemic attack?
In a TIA symptoms resolve within 24 hours, in a CVA, symptoms persist longer than 24 hours.
What is a stroke?
When part of the blood supply to the brain is cut off, mostly caused by either ischaemia or haemorrhage.
Can a CT head detect a stroke?
Can detect a haemorrhagic stroke but not an ischaemic stroke - its purpose is to rule out a haemorrhagic stroke.
Name some symptoms of an anterior cerebral artery infarct.
- unilateral contralateral motor weakness and sensory deficit in lower limb and shoulder
- urinary incontinence
- aphasia
- corpus callosum involvement
Name some symptoms you would get with a middle cerebral artery infarct.
- contralateral hemiparesis
- contralateral sensory loss
- homonymous hemianopia or quadrantonopia
- aphasia
Can you get aphasia in an infarct of the lenticulostriate arteries?
No, as the cortex is not affected so you don’t get any higher cortical dysfunction.
Name some symptoms of a posterior cerebral infarct.
-contralateral homonymous hemianopia with macula sparing
What is TACS?
Total anterior circulation stroke.
What is PACS?
Partial anterior circulation stroke.
What is POCS
Posterior circulation stroke.
What is LACS?
Lacunar syndrome/lacunar infarct.
What is the equation for cerebral perfusion pressure?
Cerebral perfusion pressure = mean arterial pressure - intracranial pressure.
What is Cushing’s reflex?
Occurs in response to raised ICP - consists of:
- raised BP
- bradycardia
- irregular breathing (slows/stops)
What is a Cushing’s ulcer?
Occurs as a result of Cushing’s reflex. The parasympathetics that cause bradycardia also causes increased gastric acid production.