Path- 5: Trauma Flashcards
Where does the blood accumulate in an epidural hematoma?
between the calvaria and the dura
What causes epidural hematomas?
blow to the side of the head
What vessel is ruptured in an epidural hematoma?
MMA
What is the pathogenesis to epidural hematomas?
Aympomatic for first 4-8hrs –> when volume gets to be 30-50mL they have Sx that resemble space occupying lesion –> ICP becomes more than cerebral venous pressure –> ischemia –> cortical impairment
What is the Cushing reflex?
protective response to increase CBF and oxygenation. HR decreases, ionotopy increases, BP increases
When volume increases to 60mL, what happens in the epidural hematoma?
brain is shifted laterally away from the side of hematoma, transtentorial herniation, III compression, dmg to reticular formation
What happens if epidurals are untreated with 4-48 hrs?
necrosis of the brainstem –> irreversible dmg –> death or coma
Why do you pass out when u get it in the head when boxing?
hit the reticular formation
Rupture of what vessels cause subdural hematomas?
bridging veins
Causes of subdural hematomas?
falls, assaults, accidents, kinky role-playing high-velocity activites because your gf’s mom is gone grocery shopping for 10 minutes.
What is the pathogenesis to subdural hematomas?
brain impacts skull –> shearing of veins in subdural space –> bleeding into subdural space –> stops bleeding at 25-50mL due to local tamponade effect
“When life gives you tampons… you make tamponade.”
What is the pathology if subdural hematomas are left untreated?
After several weeks, granulation tissue appears, which creates a membrane above hematoma by using fibroblasts
What are the 3 routes of evolution for static subdural hematomas?
- may be rabsorbed (good!)
- remain static with potential for calcification (eh…)
- hemorrhage may enlarge and re-bleeding within 6 mo. (no bueno)
What are the Sx of subdural hematomas?
headaches, CL weakness, szrs, cognitive dysfxn
What happens in subarachnoid hemorrhageS?
bleeding into the subarachnoid space
What causes subarachnoid hemorrhages?
rupture of pre-existing arterial aneurysm (mainly)
What is a super good procedure to treat aneurysms before they burst into subarachnoid hemorrhages?
coiling
What causes cerebral contusions?
usually AP displacement of the brain (kinda like subdurals), lesions at point of impact (coup injury), or lesion on opposite side of impact (counter coup)
What is the immediate life threat in penetrating wounds to the brain?
Hemorrhage
Describe the characteristics of high velocity penetrating wounds to the head
causes centrifugal blast (cylinder disruption), immediate death (explosive increase in ICP –> cerebellar tonsil herniation), boom
What is a big threat in a healed penetrating wound 6-12 mo after the trauma?
Seizures
What happens in hyperextension injuries?
forehead struck from front and driven posteriorly, tears ALL, cord damaged by posterior bony process
What happens in hyperflexion injuries?
head or shoulders hit from behind –> sharp angulation of the spinal cord
What happens in concussions?
Mild injury, transient and reversible of spinal cord fxn
What happens in contusions?
trauma randes from minor bruise –> hemorrhage
What are myelomalacias?
Spinal cord necrosis and edema caused by contusions
What are hematomyelia?
hematomas within the cord fromc ontusions
What are AVM’s?
arteriovenous malformations, unknown cause
What is the main clinical significance of AVMs?
szrs, intracranial/subarachnoid hemorrhages with stroke-like Sx