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Clin Med - Neuro > Brain Trauma > Flashcards

Flashcards in Brain Trauma Deck (29)
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1
Q

In imaging studies, what are the traverse images called

A

axials

2
Q

In imaging, on which sequence does CSF show up as bright white

A

T2

3
Q

why are x-rays rarely used in head trauma

A

no soft tissue info
require multiple planes (multiple images from different sides)
not really useful

4
Q

why are CTs helpful in head trauma?

A

fast
detailed info about bones and blood and foreign bodies
contain images in all planes

5
Q

downsides of CTs

A

tons of radiation
some info but not great for soft tissue
don’t use on preggos or peds

6
Q

why do we like MRIs?

A

detailed soft tissue images (like brain and spinal cord!)

no radiation

7
Q

downside of MRIs?

A

Slooooowwwww
expensive
can’t use with some implant devices or foreign bodies (especially in the eye)

8
Q

what constitutes a traumatic brain injury?

A

very broad
any blow or bump that disrupts brain function
can be mild to severe

9
Q

what is the most common cause of TBI deaths

A

falls associated with old age

10
Q

more common causes of TBI deaths in younger people?

A

self harm, MVAs, and assaults

11
Q

what is mild TBI

A

loss of consciousness- less than 30 min
Glascow Coma Scale 13-15
posttraumatic amnesia less than 24 hours

12
Q

what is the definition of a concussion

A

no standard definition

mild TBI, variable symptoms

13
Q

what labs do you order in concussion management

A
CBC
BMP
Coags
UA
U tox
14
Q

how do you measure consciousness of a patient

A

glascow coma scale

15
Q

what GCS score is associated with an 80% mortality/vegetative state?

A

less than 5

16
Q

what GSC score is associated with greater than 90% recovery

A

greater than 11

17
Q

how long does it take for most symptoms of concussion to resolve?

A

7-14 days

18
Q

why don’t atheletes returned to play immediately?

A

great risk with repetitive concussions

19
Q

how long do symptoms last to be considered post concussive syndrome

A

3 months or longer

20
Q

differential for post concussive syndrome

A

delayed hydrocephalus

post traumatic seizures

21
Q

what red flags would make you order a CT for a concussion? (8 things)

A
severe headache
vomiting
age >60
intoxication
amnesia
post traumatic seizure
blood thinner use
trauma above clavicle
22
Q

when you order a head CT for concussion- what are you looking for?

A
bleeds!
hydrocephalus
cerebral swelling
skull fracture
midline shift
23
Q

what kind of bleed is crescent shaped?

A

subdural hematoma- follows bone

24
Q

what kind of bleed is balloon shaped?

A

epidural hematoma- pushes into the brain

25
Q

are subdural hematomas or epidural hematomas more likely to require surgery?

A

epidural hematoma- emergent surgery to prevent herniation

26
Q

are subdural hematomas or epidural hematomas more likely to be chronic

A

subdaural hematoma- can also be acute or subacute

27
Q

what is the condition in which the brain moves into a different condition than it should be in

A

herniation

28
Q

what are the common causes of herniation?

A

swelling, hematoma, tumor

29
Q

where are the two most common locations of herniation?

A

central

uncal