Intracranial Bleeding: Types, Causes, Symptoms, and Diagnosis

Study Notes

Types of Intracranial Bleeding

Intraparenchymal hemorrhage: Bleeding within the brain tissue itself
Intraventricular hemorrhage: Bleeding within the ventricles, the fluid-filled spaces within the brain
Subarachnoid hemorrhage: Bleeding between the arachnoid membrane and the pia mater, the two innermost layers of the meninges
Epidural hemorrhage: Bleeding between the dura mater and the skull
Subdural hemorrhage: Bleeding between the dura mater and the arachnoid membrane

Causes of Intracranial Bleeding

Trauma: Head injury, falls, motor vehicle accidents
Hypertension: High blood pressure, leading to rupture of blood vessels
Aneurysms: Weakened areas in blood vessels that can rupture
Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs): Abnormal connections between arteries and veins
Cerebral amyloid angiopathy: Buildup of abnormal proteins in blood vessels
Blood clotting disorders: Conditions such as hemophilia
Infections: Meningitis, encephalitis, and other infections that can cause bleeding

Symptoms of Intracranial Bleeding

Headache: Sudden, severe, and worsening headache
Nausea and vomiting: Especially in cases of increased intracranial pressure
Confusion and disorientation: Altered mental status, difficulty speaking or understanding speech
Seizures: Especially in cases of bleeding near the cerebral cortex
Weakness or numbness: In the face, arms, or legs, depending on the location of the bleeding
Vision changes: Blurred vision, double vision, or loss of vision

Diagnosis of Intracranial Bleeding

Computed Tomography (CT) scan: Quick and effective way to diagnose bleeding
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): More detailed imaging, but may not be as readily available
Lumbar puncture: Collecting cerebrospinal fluid to check for blood
Angiography: Imaging of blood vessels to diagnose aneurysms or AVMs

Treatment of Intracranial Bleeding

Surgical evacuation: Removing the blood clot and repairing damaged blood vessels
Endovascular coiling: Using a catheter to insert a coil to block the bleeding blood vessel
Craniotomy: Temporarily removing part of the skull to relieve pressure
Supportive care: Managing blood pressure, preventing complications, and providing rehabilitation

Description

Test your knowledge on intracranial bleeding, including its types, causes, symptoms, and diagnosis methods. Learn about the different types of bleeding, such as intraparenchymal and subarachnoid hemorrhage, and how to diagnose them using CT scans, MRI, and other methods.