Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Review

These flashcards cover key concepts related to Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and associated medical conditions, focusing on definitions, symptoms, assessments, and management strategies.

What characterizes a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)?

A nondegenerative physical injury to the brain caused by external force or projectile that can result in loss of consciousness, post-traumatic amnesia, and neurological deficits.

What scale is used to assess the level of consciousness in TBI patients?

The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS).

What are primary injuries in TBI?

Injuries that occur immediately at the time of impact and include focal, diffuse, or penetrating injuries.

What is a focal injury in the context of TBI?

An injury that occurs at a specific point of impact, such as skull fractures or contusions.

What type of fracture is characterized as 'compound'?

A fracture that communicates with the outside environment, involving laceration or fracture in continuity with an air sinus.

What indicates a basal skull fracture?

Cranial nerve abnormalities, rhinorrhea or otorrhea, and retroauricular echymosis (Battle's sign).

What are the clinical manifestations of TBI?

They can range from a concussion to coma and death.

What are the types of intracranial hemorrhages?

Epidural, subdural, intracerebral, and subarachnoid hemorrhages.

What is an epidural hemorrhage?

Hemorrhage caused by impact to the head and lacerations of dural veins and arteries, often associated with skull fractures.

What characterizes a subdural hemorrhage?

Common in severe brain injuries, resulting from injury to cortical bridging vein or pial artery, leading to blood collection between dura and brain.

What causes diffuse axonal injuries (DAI)?

Extensive damage to white matter due to the tearing of nerve cells, often from high-speed acceleration-deceleration injuries.

What defines secondary injuries in TBI?

Biochemical and physiological sequelae of primary brain insult that evolve over hours or days, causing additional damage.

What results from increased intracranial pressure (ICP)?

Cerebral ischemia and hypoxia, which can lead to neurological deficits.

What is the normal range for intracranial pressure (ICP)?

5-15 mm Hg.

What is the main risk factor for post-traumatic seizures (PTS)?

Moderate to severe TBI.

What is the main cause of myasthenia gravis?

Impaired neuromuscular transmission due to auto-antibodies binding to cholinergic receptors on muscle cells.

What is the hallmark symptom of Bell's palsy?

Facial weakness or paralysis in muscles of facial expression.

What treatment is commonly prescribed for myasthenia gravis?

Medications to improve neuromuscular transmission, along with options like thymectomy and immunosuppressants.

What condition involves prolonged contractions in muscle fibers?

Myotonic dystrophy.

What is the immediate emergency for patients with myasthenia gravis experiencing respiratory failure?

Intubation may be necessary.

How is motor neuron disease characterized?

Progressive degeneration of motor neurons in the spinal cord and brainstem, leading to muscle weakness and wasting.

What is dystrophic myotonia?

A disorder characterized by abnormally prolonged muscle contractions that complicate relaxation.

What are the early signs of Duchenne muscular dystrophy in boys?

Waddling gait, frequent falls, and difficulty climbing stairs.

What treatment is aimed at in the management of TBI patients?

Preventing secondary brain damage and ensuring adequate oxygenation and circulation.