Lecture 3

Question 1

Quick overview of TBI patient injuries

Answer 1

Was in a road traffic accident
Had aortic dissection and orthopaedic injuries
CT scan showed haematoma in CC, haemorrhage at white/grey junction, coma for six weeks

Question 2

Neurological exam of TBI patient:
Upper motor signs
Cerebellar signs
Sensory signs

Answer 2

Upper motor signs:
Left sided impairment including weakness dexterity issues, pronator drift, hyperactive reflexes, Babinski sign

Cerebellar signs
Dysarthria but intelligible speech, right issues including dysmetria and tremor

Sensory signs
Left sided agnosia, left tactile extinction, but could do left right difference

Question 3

Four types of head injury

Answer 3

Compression
Penetrating missile
Blunt force trauma
Coup contrecoup

Question 4

Bones and ridges of the skull

Answer 4

3 fossa depressions: posterior middle and anterior

Sphenoid and petrous ridge

Question 5

What is the result of linear force on the midbrain?

Answer 5

Shear force on midbrain as heavy hemispheres whiplash on the brainstem

Question 6

Why does coma occur?

Answer 6

Due to the disruption of the reticular activating system

Question 7

Name three types of injury?

Answer 7

Contusion/ laceration
Haemotoma (subdural, extradural, intracerebral)
White matter shear injury

Question 8

Where are lesions that most commonly affect memory, emotion, and social disorganisation/disinhibition?

Answer 8

Memory= temporal cortex/ hippocampus
Emotion= amygdala
Social disorganisation/disinhibition= orbitofrontal

Question 9

What can white matter shearing cause?

Answer 9

Haemorrhage
Motor disabilities
Coma

Question 10

Damage to the corpus callosum can cause signs of what?

Answer 10

Hemispheric disconnection