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Questions and Answers
What is the most common type of skull fracture?
What is the most common type of skull fracture?
Which type of brain injury involves sudden transient loss of consciousness?
Which type of brain injury involves sudden transient loss of consciousness?
Which injury is NOT classified as a type of intracranial hemorrhage?
Which injury is NOT classified as a type of intracranial hemorrhage?
Which skull fracture type involves fissured fragments radiating from a central fracture point?
Which skull fracture type involves fissured fragments radiating from a central fracture point?
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What type of injury typically results in blood and CSF escape from the ear?
What type of injury typically results in blood and CSF escape from the ear?
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What sign is NOT associated with cerebral concussion?
What sign is NOT associated with cerebral concussion?
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What type of skull fracture is characterized by involvement with the sagittal suture?
What type of skull fracture is characterized by involvement with the sagittal suture?
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Which of the following is NOT a direct cause of brain hemorrhage?
Which of the following is NOT a direct cause of brain hemorrhage?
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What is an indication of complete recovery from a concussion?
What is an indication of complete recovery from a concussion?
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Which symptom is NOT associated with post-concussion syndrome?
Which symptom is NOT associated with post-concussion syndrome?
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What happens during the lucid interval after a concussion?
What happens during the lucid interval after a concussion?
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What is a critical reason for monitoring a patient with a history of concussion for 24-36 hours?
What is a critical reason for monitoring a patient with a history of concussion for 24-36 hours?
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What leads to compression and coma after a concussion?
What leads to compression and coma after a concussion?
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Which type of injury occurs on the opposite side of the impact during a concussion?
Which type of injury occurs on the opposite side of the impact during a concussion?
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What is a sign that decompression surgery may be indicated after a concussion?
What is a sign that decompression surgery may be indicated after a concussion?
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What behavior is characteristic of post-traumatic automatism following a concussion?
What behavior is characteristic of post-traumatic automatism following a concussion?
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What is the primary effect of high intracranial pressure on brain function?
What is the primary effect of high intracranial pressure on brain function?
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During the stage of paralysis caused by increased intracranial pressure, what specifically compresses and affects the brain?
During the stage of paralysis caused by increased intracranial pressure, what specifically compresses and affects the brain?
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What vital sign changes can indicate an increase in intracranial pressure?
What vital sign changes can indicate an increase in intracranial pressure?
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Which symptom is typically associated with an increase in intracranial pressure?
Which symptom is typically associated with an increase in intracranial pressure?
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What type of injury often leads to tearing of vessels in the subdural space?
What type of injury often leads to tearing of vessels in the subdural space?
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Which condition is NOT associated with high intracranial pressure?
Which condition is NOT associated with high intracranial pressure?
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What are the signs of lateralization associated with increased intracranial pressure?
What are the signs of lateralization associated with increased intracranial pressure?
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Which statement accurately relates to the effects of hypertension on the brain?
Which statement accurately relates to the effects of hypertension on the brain?
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What type of skull fracture is most commonly seen in young persons due to non-union of sutures?
What type of skull fracture is most commonly seen in young persons due to non-union of sutures?
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Which of the following describes a stellate fracture?
Which of the following describes a stellate fracture?
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Which scenario is least likely to result in a basal skull fracture?
Which scenario is least likely to result in a basal skull fracture?
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Which type of intracranial hemorrhage occurs outside the dura mater?
Which type of intracranial hemorrhage occurs outside the dura mater?
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What symptom is NOT typically associated with cerebral concussion?
What symptom is NOT typically associated with cerebral concussion?
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Which mechanism may lead to compression of the brain during a skull fracture?
Which mechanism may lead to compression of the brain during a skull fracture?
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Which of the following conditions may result from direct application of a force leading to brain injury?
Which of the following conditions may result from direct application of a force leading to brain injury?
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What is a key identification feature of a signature skull fracture?
What is a key identification feature of a signature skull fracture?
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What characterizes post-concussion syndrome?
What characterizes post-concussion syndrome?
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Which of the following best describes retrograde amnesia following a concussion?
Which of the following best describes retrograde amnesia following a concussion?
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What is a consequence of bleeding from a torn middle meningeal artery after a concussion?
What is a consequence of bleeding from a torn middle meningeal artery after a concussion?
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What is indicated by a decrease in pulse to 60 beats per minute in a concussion patient?
What is indicated by a decrease in pulse to 60 beats per minute in a concussion patient?
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How does a coup injury differ from a contre-coup injury?
How does a coup injury differ from a contre-coup injury?
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What behavior is observed in patients experiencing post-traumatic automatism after a concussion?
What behavior is observed in patients experiencing post-traumatic automatism after a concussion?
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What observation is essential for a patient with a history of concussion during the first 24-36 hours?
What observation is essential for a patient with a history of concussion during the first 24-36 hours?
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What is a potential explanation for an individual's capability to mention the assailant after a concussion?
What is a potential explanation for an individual's capability to mention the assailant after a concussion?
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What happens during the stage of irritation due to high intracranial pressure?
What happens during the stage of irritation due to high intracranial pressure?
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Which symptom indicates the stage of paralysis resulting from increased intracranial pressure?
Which symptom indicates the stage of paralysis resulting from increased intracranial pressure?
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What sequence of signs indicates the progression of increased intracranial pressure?
What sequence of signs indicates the progression of increased intracranial pressure?
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When a traumatic intracranial hemorrhage occurs, which side does contralateral irritation affect first?
When a traumatic intracranial hemorrhage occurs, which side does contralateral irritation affect first?
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What type of injury is most commonly associated with tearing of vessels in the subdural space?
What type of injury is most commonly associated with tearing of vessels in the subdural space?
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Which arteries are primarily affected during the stage of paralysis due to high intracranial pressure?
Which arteries are primarily affected during the stage of paralysis due to high intracranial pressure?
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What characterizes the progression of the vital signs as intracranial pressure increases?
What characterizes the progression of the vital signs as intracranial pressure increases?
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What might occur concurrently with the increase of intracranial pressure, particularly affecting pupils?
What might occur concurrently with the increase of intracranial pressure, particularly affecting pupils?
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What type of fracture is characterized by a mirror-like pattern of the striking surface on the outer table of the skull?
What type of fracture is characterized by a mirror-like pattern of the striking surface on the outer table of the skull?
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In what situation does indirect violence typically lead to brain injury?
In what situation does indirect violence typically lead to brain injury?
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What is the primary feature of a fissure skull fracture in terms of its structure?
What is the primary feature of a fissure skull fracture in terms of its structure?
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Which symptoms may indicate the presence of a basal skull fracture?
Which symptoms may indicate the presence of a basal skull fracture?
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What mechanism leads to an extradural hemorrhage following head injury?
What mechanism leads to an extradural hemorrhage following head injury?
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How does cerebral concussion manifest physiologically immediately after the injury?
How does cerebral concussion manifest physiologically immediately after the injury?
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What type of intracranial hemorrhage occurs beneath the dura mater?
What type of intracranial hemorrhage occurs beneath the dura mater?
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What injury results from a blow to the chin and involves indirect force?
What injury results from a blow to the chin and involves indirect force?
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What does a patient experiencing post-traumatic automatism fail to remember?
What does a patient experiencing post-traumatic automatism fail to remember?
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What is meant by a 'lucid interval' following a concussion?
What is meant by a 'lucid interval' following a concussion?
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What role does hypotension play following a torn middle meningeal artery in a concussion case?
What role does hypotension play following a torn middle meningeal artery in a concussion case?
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How are coup and contre-coup injuries characterized in relation to impact?
How are coup and contre-coup injuries characterized in relation to impact?
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What might prompt the recommendation for a decompression operation in concussion patients?
What might prompt the recommendation for a decompression operation in concussion patients?
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What is the significance of monitoring vital signs every 15 minutes for a concussion patient?
What is the significance of monitoring vital signs every 15 minutes for a concussion patient?
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In the context of concussion, what are the psychological symptoms associated with post-concussion syndrome?
In the context of concussion, what are the psychological symptoms associated with post-concussion syndrome?
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What types of lesions are observed in coup and contre-coup injuries?
What types of lesions are observed in coup and contre-coup injuries?
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What are the primary consequences of progressive intracranial pressure on cerebral function and vital signs?
What are the primary consequences of progressive intracranial pressure on cerebral function and vital signs?
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How does the mechanism of injury differ between a coup injury and a contre-coup injury?
How does the mechanism of injury differ between a coup injury and a contre-coup injury?
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What is the earliest sign of cerebral irritation due to a hematoma and increased intracranial pressure?
What is the earliest sign of cerebral irritation due to a hematoma and increased intracranial pressure?
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What role do thick-walled cerebral arteries play during the stage of paralysis from increased intracranial pressure?
What role do thick-walled cerebral arteries play during the stage of paralysis from increased intracranial pressure?
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In cases of traumatic intracranial hemorrhage, which side experiences contralateral irritation initially?
In cases of traumatic intracranial hemorrhage, which side experiences contralateral irritation initially?
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What is typically indicated by the presence of unequal pupils in a patient with increased intracranial pressure?
What is typically indicated by the presence of unequal pupils in a patient with increased intracranial pressure?
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What pathological changes accompany the tearing of vessels in the subdural space?
What pathological changes accompany the tearing of vessels in the subdural space?
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What vital sign changes might be expected as intracranial pressure escalates in a patient?
What vital sign changes might be expected as intracranial pressure escalates in a patient?
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What type of skull fracture is characterized by multiple fissured fragments radiating from a central point?
What type of skull fracture is characterized by multiple fissured fragments radiating from a central point?
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Describe the most common cause of cerebral concussion.
Describe the most common cause of cerebral concussion.
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How does a basal skull fracture typically present symptoms?
How does a basal skull fracture typically present symptoms?
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What is a typical consequence of a traumatic intracranial hemorrhage?
What is a typical consequence of a traumatic intracranial hemorrhage?
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Explain the significance of 'mirror' patterns in skull fractures.
Explain the significance of 'mirror' patterns in skull fractures.
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What characterizes a linear fissure fracture?
What characterizes a linear fissure fracture?
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Name one type of intracranial hemorrhage and its primary location.
Name one type of intracranial hemorrhage and its primary location.
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What are the common symptoms indicative of increased intracranial pressure?
What are the common symptoms indicative of increased intracranial pressure?
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What occurs in the brain during the stage of irritation associated with high intracranial pressure?
What occurs in the brain during the stage of irritation associated with high intracranial pressure?
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What vital sign changes are indicative of increased intracranial pressure?
What vital sign changes are indicative of increased intracranial pressure?
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In which scenario might a ruptured bridging vein occur, and what does it signify?
In which scenario might a ruptured bridging vein occur, and what does it signify?
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What happens when a sufficient-sized hematoma compresses the thick-walled cerebral arteries?
What happens when a sufficient-sized hematoma compresses the thick-walled cerebral arteries?
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How does contralateral irritation manifest during the progression of increased intracranial pressure?
How does contralateral irritation manifest during the progression of increased intracranial pressure?
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What factors can contribute to tearing of vessels in the subdural space?
What factors can contribute to tearing of vessels in the subdural space?
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What are some signs of lateralization that might occur with increased intracranial pressure?
What are some signs of lateralization that might occur with increased intracranial pressure?
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What critical change in vital signs is a possible indicator of severe intracranial pressure complications?
What critical change in vital signs is a possible indicator of severe intracranial pressure complications?
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What are the common symptoms of post-concussion syndrome?
What are the common symptoms of post-concussion syndrome?
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What characterizes a lucid interval following a concussion?
What characterizes a lucid interval following a concussion?
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What factors in a concussion may lead to the development of retrograde amnesia?
What factors in a concussion may lead to the development of retrograde amnesia?
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Describe the mechanism by which post-traumatic automatism may occur.
Describe the mechanism by which post-traumatic automatism may occur.
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What role does monitoring vital signs play for patients with a history of concussion?
What role does monitoring vital signs play for patients with a history of concussion?
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What is the potential legal implication for a patient experiencing post-traumatic automatism?
What is the potential legal implication for a patient experiencing post-traumatic automatism?
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Explain how increased intracranial pressure may progress in a patient after a concussion.
Explain how increased intracranial pressure may progress in a patient after a concussion.
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How does the tearing of the middle meningeal artery relate to concussion injuries?
How does the tearing of the middle meningeal artery relate to concussion injuries?
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Study Notes
Forensic Medicine - Head Injuries
-
Classification of Head Injuries:
- Scalp injuries
- Skull fractures
- Meningeal injuries
- Brain injuries
Scalp Injuries (Wounds)
-
Types:
- Contused wound (most common)
- Cut wound
- Bruises
- Firearm injuries
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Complications:
- Meningitis
- Brain abscess
- Sinus thrombosis
- Hemorrhage
Skull Injuries (Fractures)
-
Causes:
- Direct application of force
- Indirect violence
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Factors affecting type of skull fracture:
-
Momentum of the force:
- Localized striking surface ("hammer head")
- Very small striking surface ("bullet")
- Wide striking surface ("block of wood")
- Heavy sharp instrument
- Size of striking surface: Different sized surfaces leads to various patterns of fractures
- Site of the blow: Occipital, frontal, parietal, temporal, office party
- Support of the head: E.g., sleeping on the ground
- Covering of the head:
-
Momentum of the force:
-
Classification:
- Fissure fracture (linear or "diastatic")
- Localized depressed fracture
- Comminuted fracture
- Cut fracture
- Penetrating fracture
- Basal fractures
Fissure Fracture
-
Characteristics:
- Most common type of skull fracture
- Linear fracture involving entire skull thickness, or inner/outer table only.
- Commonly involves the sagittal suture.
- Typically seen in young individuals (due to suture structure).
Localized Depressed Fracture
- Characteristics: Signature fracture; the injury of the outer table mirroring the shape of the striking instrument
Comminuted Fracture
-
Characteristics:
- Fracture with fragmented radiating pieces
- Often referred to as "spider web"
Cut Fracture
- Characteristics: A fracture resulting from a sharp-force object.
Penetrating Fracture (Hole Fracture)
- Characteristics: A fracture with a hole.
Basal Fracture
-
Causes:
- Indirect trauma (commonest): Fall from height on feet/buttocks, force transmission through the vertebral column.
- Heavy blow: Face and chin
- Extension from other fractures (vault fissures): to the base of the brain.
- Direct trauma by a bullet
Brain Injuries
-
Classification:
- Cerebral concussion (sudden loss of consciousness)
- Contusions and lacerations
- Compression of the brain
- Intracranial hemorrhage
- Extradural/epidural (traumatic)
- Subdural (acute/chronic)
- Subarachnoid
- Intracerebral
Concussion
- Definition: State of sudden transient loss of consciousness; from momentary arrest of brain function.
- Clinical Picture: Sudden loss of consciousness, pale skin, rapid/weak pulse, low blood pressure (hypothermia), and vomiting. Possible uneven pupils and conjugate deviation of both eyes.
- Fate: Complete recovery (within 6hrs; no residual signs), Incomplete recovery (post-concussion syndrome: headache, vertigo, insomnia, loss of concentration), retrograde amnesia, and post-traumatic automatism. Concussion passes to compression with or without lucid interval potentially leading to coma.
- Lucid Interval: Period of temporary recovery between coma of concussion, and compression; patient may talk and walk.
Contusion & Laceration
- Coup injury: Lesions immediately subjacent to impact site; due to inbending of bone with brain compression.
- Contrecoup injury: Lesions on the opposite side of the impact site. Occurs due to sudden stoppage of head movement against a hard surface, causing linear and rotational strains; secondary fracture may occur from these strains.
Cerebral Compression
- Definition: Loss of consciousness from high intracranial pressure, disrupting brain functions.
-
Traumatic causes:
- Depressed fracture of skull
- Traumatic intracranial hemorrhage
- Mechanism: Gradually increasing ICP affecting thin-walled veins, leading to congestion, edema, irritation of brain centers. As pressure rises, thick-walled arteries are compressed, causing ischemia and paralysis on the same side of the lesion. Opposite side may experience irritation prior to paralysis.
Sequelae of Head Injuries
- Post-traumatic sequelae: Post-traumatic amnesia, post-concussion syndrome, Jacksonian epilepsy, permanent infirmity, sepsis (infection), punch drunkness, and cranial nerve palsies.
Intracranial Hemorrhages
- Extradural (Epidural): Traumatic, middle meningeal artery injury.
- Subdural: Tearing of vessels in subdural space - fracture of the cranial bone, closed head injury. Differentiating between acute and chronic subdural hemorrhages.
- Subarachnoid: Traumatic or pathological, involving rupture of vessels.
- Intracerebral: Pathological or Traumatic, based on cause and presentation during the initial exam and timeline of the trauma.
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