Traumatic Brain injury Flashcards
1
Q
Definition
A
CNS disorder involving one or more substructures of the CNS
Type of acquired brain injury caused by a traumatic event
2
Q
CNS or PNS
A
CNS
3
Q
Aetiology (cause)
A
Traumatic event
- rapidly moving hard object hits a stationary head
- rapidly moving head hits a stationary object
Multiple areas of the brain can be injured - multifocal, diffuse
4
Q
Pathophysiology
A
Traumatic event causes bleeding/swelling in the brain
- > increase in volume within the cranium
- > increase in intracranial pressure
- > initial and further injury from TBI
5
Q
Types of TBI and cause
A
- subdural haematoma: tearing of vein on subsurface of brain
- epidural haematoma: fracture of the skull -> meningeal artery -> bleeding into extradural space (skull and dura mater)
- diffuse axonal injury: tearing of axons within the brain -> widespread injury in the brain
6
Q
How is it diagnosed
A
- clinical assessment
- evidence of brain injury on Scans (MRI, CT)
- Post-traumatic amnesia (PTA)
7
Q
Problems
A
- sensory
- motor
- cognitive
8
Q
Typical management
A
Conservative
- managing on intracranial pressure
- medical management
Surgical
- craniectomy
- craniotomy
- extra-ventricular drain (EVD)
9
Q
Craniectomy
A
part of skull is removed and not replaced until months later (helmet worn)
10
Q
Craniotomy
A
part of skull is removed then replaced (in same surgery)
11
Q
Extra-ventricular drain (EVD)
A
drains intracranial pressure