Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

Sem 4 - Nervous System > Intracranial Haemorrhages > Flashcards

Intracranial Haemorrhages Flashcards

(45 cards)

Start Studying
1
Q

What are the types of intracranial haemorrhages?

A

Extradural

Subdural

Subarachnoid

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What is an extradural haemorrhage?

A

Collection of blood between the inner surface of the skull and the periosteal dura

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What age group of patients are extradural haemorrhages more common in? Why?

A

Younger patients

Periosteal dura is more firmly adhered to skull in older patients

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What causes an extradural haemorrhage?

A

Trauma, skull fracture

Gives rupture of an artery or tearing of a venous sinus

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Which is more common in an extradural haemorrhage

  • rupture of an artery
  • tearing of venous sinus?
A

Rupture of an artery

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

How does an extradural haemorrhage relate to the tentorium cerebelli?

A

Usually above the tentorium cerebelli

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What are the signs and symptoms of an extradural haemorrhage?

A

Loss of consciousness

Lucid interval

Deteriorating level of consciousness

Cranial nerve palsies

-these occur in order

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What is the lucid interval, in a patient with an extradural haemorrhage?

A

Transient recovery, but with ongoing headache

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What causes the initial loss of consciousness in a patient with extradural haemorrhage?

A

The injury itself

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What causes the deteriorating level of consciousness in a patient with an extradural haemorrhage?

A

Haematoma enlarges, compression of brain

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What causes cranial nerve palsies in a patient with an extradural haemorrhage?

A

Brain herniation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Why does an extradural haemorrhage have a short wide shape on a CT head scan?

A

Blood can’t pass the suture lines due to the periosteal dura adhering to the suture lines
Haematoma pushes inwards instead

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What are the complications of an extradural haemorrhage?

A

Permanent brain damage

Coma

Seizures

Weakness

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

How is an extradural haemorrhage treated?

A

ABCDE approach

Small one is observed, managed conservatively, neurological follow up

Large one is treated by craniotomy, clot evacuation surgery

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What is a subdural haemorrhage?

A

Collection of blood between the meningeal dura and the arachnoid

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What causes subdural haemorrhages?

A

Rupture of bridging veins

Due to trauma or spontaneously

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What does an extradural haemorrhage look like on a CT scan?

A

Hyperdense area, meaning whiter

Short and wide (lemon)

Midline shift

Lateral ventricles smaller or not visible

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

What are the types of subdural haemorrhage in terms of timing?

A

Acute, less than 3 days ago

Subacute, 3-21 days ago

Chronic, more than 3 weeks ago

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What usually causes an acute subdural haemorrhage?

22
Q

What usually causes subacute or chronic subdural haemorrhages?

Study These Flashcards
A

They occur spontaneously, in the elderly

23
Q

How do elderly patients with a subdural haemorrhage present?

Study These Flashcards
A

Confusion and cognitive decline

24
Q

What does a subdural haemorrhage look like on a CT head scan?

Study These Flashcards
A

Acute subdural haemorrhage - hyperdense

Subacute or chronic subdural haemorrhage - hypodense

Long narrow shape (crescent)

25
Q

Why is a subdural haemorrhage a long and narrow shape on a CT head scan?

Study These Flashcards
A

Limited to one side of the head by the falx cerebri

26
Q

How are subdural haemorrhages treated?

Study These Flashcards
A

Acute subdural haemorrhages by surgery

Subacute or chronic subdural haemorrhages by Burr Holes

27
What is a Burr hole?
Incision in the skin, hole in the skull
28
How do the outcomes of a subdural haemorrhage compare to an extradural haemorrhage?
Worse outcomes
29
What is a subarachnoid haemorrhage?
Collection of blood between the arachnoid and the pia
30
What age group are subarachnoid haemorrhages most common in?
Middle-aged patients
31
What causes subarachnoid haemorrhage? Which is the most common cause?
Ruptured berry aneurysm, spontaneously ruptures - most common cause Traumatic
32
What are the signs and symptoms of a subarachnoid haemorrhage?
Sudden onset severe headache Meningism Nausea and vomiting Fever Focal neurological deficits Loss of consciousness
33
What is meningism?
Nuchal rigidity, neck stiffness Photophobia, interolance of bright light Headache
34
Why does meningism occur with subarachnoid haemorrhage?
Irritation of meninges with blood
35
What are the risk factors of a berry aneurysm?
Family history Hypertension Abnormal connective tissue e.g. Ehler’s Danlos, Marfan’s syndrome
36
Where do berry aneurysms occur, from most common to least common?
Anterior circulation - anterior cerebral artery - proximal middle cerebral artery - distal middle cerebral artery Posterior circulation In each artery, particularly at bifurcations
37
Why do berry aneurysms particularly occur at bifurcations of arteries?
Rapid change in direction of blood flow Turbulent blood flow Damage to blood vessel wall
38
What are the signs and symptoms of a berry aneurysm?
Asymptomatic Symptoms due to compression of nearby structures
39
What does a berry aneurysm look like on a CT head scan?
Focal hyperdense area, may enter ventricular system
40
How is a subarachnoid haemorrhage diagnosed?
Lumbar puncture - presence of red blood vessels - xanthochromia within 12 hours
41
What is xanthochromia?
Yellow discolouration indicating presence of bilirubin in CSF
42
How is a subarachnoid haemorrhage treated?
Prevent rebleeding Treat cerebral vasospasm Correct hyponatraemia Surgery if large bleed
43
What are the complications of a subarachnoid haemorrhage?
Hydrocephalus Focal neurological deficits Coma Seizures Cognitive decline Frequent headaches Hypopituitarism
44
How is a berry aneurysm treated?
Surgical clipping Endovascular coiling
45
What is endovascular coiling?
Metal wires inserted into aneurysm till no blood flow occurring in it
46
What age group are subdural haemorrhages most common in? Why?
Older age group | Brain has atrophied, more tension on bridging veins, more likely to rupture
47
Which artery is most commonly ruptured in an extradural haemorrhage?
Middle meningeal artery

Sem 4 - Nervous System (25 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions