Intracranial haemorrhage Flashcards
What is an intracranial haemorrhage?
extravascular accumulation of blood within different intracranial spaces
Give examples of intra-axial and extra-axial haemorrhages.
Intra: intracerebral
Extra: extradural, subdural, subarachnoid, intraventricular
Describe the blood supply to the brain.
Thebrainreceivesbloodfrom two sources: the internal carotid arteries, which arise from the common carotid arteries bifurcating, and the vertebral arteries. These arteries ascend the neck and then in the branium form a circle called the circle of willis
How do you differentiate between a extradural and subdural haemorrhage on CT?
extra: convex shape
subdural: concave
What are the signs of an intracranial haemorrhage?
- raised ICP: headache, vomiting, reduced GCS, fever
- localing symptoms: visual deficit, motor deficit, sensory changes
What are the risk factors for an intracerebral haemorrhage?
HTN DM menopause alcohol drug use
What caused an intracerebral haemorrhage?
trauma
aneurysm or AVM rupture
HTN
amyloid
What is an extradural haemorrhage?
collection of blood between the inner surface of the skull and outer layer of the dura
Extradural haemorrhages are associated with a history of trauma and skull fracture. Which artery is commonly torn?
middle meningeal artery
What are the signs and symptoms of an extradural haemorrhage?
lucent period headache raised ICP fever fixed and dilated pupil on side of the injury vision loss on contralateral side
What commonly causes a subdural haemorrhage?
tearing of bridging cortical veins in the subdural space due to shearing forces
What are the signs and symptoms of subdural haemorrhage?
usually slower onset than extra/subarachoid due to veins tearing not arteries
can take weeks to become symptomatic as pressure builds
LOC
seizures
irritability
headache
What are the risk factors for developing a subdural haemorrhage?
increasing age
young age
alcohol
anticoagulant use
What commonly causes SAH?
rupture of intracerebral vessel
What are the signs and symptoms of SAH?
thunderclap headache reduced GCS fever seizures neck stiffness
