Head Injury Flashcards
1
Q
Definition
A
Any alteration in mental or physical functioning related to a blow to the head
2
Q
Aetiology
A
GCS used for rapid neurological assessment in an acute head injury
Road traffic accidents, falls, blast injuries
3
Q
Epidemiology
A
Very common
1.5 million individuals each year sustain a head injury
4
Q
Investigations
A
- U&E: deranged Na in upto 50% of comatose patients
- Coagulation screen – PT and APTT
- CT head
- MRI for those with mental state abnormalities which cannot be explained by CT findings
- ABC
- Oxygen sats
- Pulse, BP, temp, RR, pupils
- U&Es
- FBC
- Glucose
- Blood alcohol
- Toxicology screen
5
Q
Complications
A
- GCS 13-15 is quite benign
- However, initial grading being mild does not necessarily mean that the outcome is mild
Potential early complications:
Extradural/subdural haemorrhage
Seizures
Potential late complications: Subdural haemorrhage Seizures Diabetes insipidus Parkinsonism Dementia
6
Q
Prognosis
A
- Can result in death, a vegetative state, partial recovery or full recovery
- Important factors: age, mechanism of injury, GCS, pupillary reactivity, amnesia among others
7
Q
Presenting symptoms
A
Unconscious Headache Dizziness Blurred vision Confusion and disorientation Nausea and vomiting Varies depending on severity
8
Q
Signs on physical examination
A
Low GCS
Blurred vision
