Traumatic Lesions of the Central Nervous System

Flashcards for review of traumatic lesions in the central nervous system

Brain Trauma

One of the leading causes of death of young adults in developed countries, often due to traffic, industrial, or sports accidents.

Herniation

Often the cause of death in head trauma patients due to mass effect and increased intracranial pressure.

Spinal Trauma

A cause of irreversible disability, similar to brain trauma in origin.

Direct Trauma

Mechanism of brain or spinal trauma where the harmful agent directly affects the brain or spine.

Indirect Trauma

Mechanism of brain or spinal trauma involving acceleration or deceleration of the brain within the skull.

Closed Head Trauma

Type of head trauma where the meninges are not opened to the environment; no dural tear or CSF leak.

Open Head Trauma

Type of head trauma where the intracranium is opened, leading to CSF leak and potential infectious agent entry.

Brain Commotion

Shaking of the brain within the skull due to direct or indirect, closed head trauma.

Symptoms of Brain Commotion

Symptoms include brief unconsciousness, short amnestic period, headache, dizziness, nausea, and fatigue.

Brain Contusion

Condition where the brain is smashed against the inner surface of the skull, causing structural damage, oedema, and haemorrhage.

Symptoms of Brain Contusion

Symptoms similar to commotion, but more severe, with focal neurological signs.

Epidural Bleeding

Bleeding between the bone and the dura mater, usually of arterial origin.

Cause of Epidural Bleeding

Usually caused by rupture of the middle meningeal artery due to temporal or parietal bone fracture.

Symptoms of Epidural Bleeding

Hyper-rapid development of severe symptoms such as hemiparesis, anisochoria, decreased level of consciousness, coma or death.

Subdural Bleeding

Bleeding between the brain and dura mater, with variable latency in development.

Cause of Subdural Bleeding

Often of venous origin, involving 'bridging veins' on the superior brain surface.

Symptoms of Subdural Bleeding

Less rapid, sometimes insidious growth with nonspecific symptoms like headache, hemiparesis, dementia, and seizures.

Posttraumatic Epilepsy

Seizures caused by the direct irritating effect of haematoma or scar tissue on the brain cortex.

Prolonged Headache

Headache that persists long after the initial trauma.

Fatigue, Irritability, Concentration Difficulties, Depression

Common delayed symptoms of head trauma.

Dementia

A potential consequence after repeated head trauma, for example, in contact sports.