Trauma Flashcards
what is the purpose fo GCS
to predict the prgnosis of coma, and diagnose coma
extradural haematoma
the separation of dura from bone, with te disruption of blood vessels causing the formation of a haematoma
in which anatomical site do EDHs tend to occur and which artery is damaged
pterion fracture - middle meningeal artery
classical history for EDH
young adult sustaining head trauma
how does EDH patient present
brief loss of consciousness, followed by a period in which the patient regains consciousness , followed by a deteriorating state
headache, vomiting, contrlateral hemiparesis
which nerve does an uncal herniation damage
CNIII - ipsilateral pupillary dilation
how stable are EDH patients compared to SDH patients
EDH is from a high pressure arterial source, whereas subdural haematoma is from a lower pressure venous source
imaging of EDH
CT
lens shaped appearance - midline shift
subdural haematoma
collection of blood between the dura and arachnoid layer
who can get bilateral SDH
children, presence of adhesions in teh subdural space
why is SDH common in the elderly
cerebral veins are stretched as the brain atrophies with age
how does acute SDH occur
high impact acceleration/decceleration trauma
what happens to the brain if SDH is not treated
blood liquifies and due to fibrosis and formation of granulation tissue forms a yellow neo membrane
causes of chronic SDH
age, chronic alcoholism, dementia all cause brain atrophy and stetches the bridging cerebral veins
leaky vessels can result in accumulation of blood
–> inc ICP, decreased blood perfusion
CT of SDH
