ATLS: HEAD TRAUMA

ATLS: HEAD TRAUMA

Last updated: 8/16/13

TABLE OF CONTENTS

BRAIN INJURY PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
- Pathophysiology of localized brain injury
- Pathophysiology of generalized brain injury

PHYSICAL EXAM
- Significance of hypotension after head injury

GCS SCORE AND POSTURING
- The significance of a GCS score of 5
- The significance of decerebrate posturing

CONTUSIONS
- Most common location of brain injury in contusions
- Timing of secondary edema and/or hematoma in contusions

EPIDURAL HEMATOMA (EDH)
- Characteristics of an epidural hematoma

SUBARACHNOID HEMORRHAGE (SAH)
- Characteristics of a subarachnoid hemorrhage

DIFFUSE AXONAL INJURY (DAI)
- Pathophysiology of diffuse axonal injury

INTRACRANIAL PRESSURE (ICP)
- Normal ICP reading
- Indications for ICP monitoring
- ICP monitoring vs ventricular pressure monitoring

SYNDROME OF INAPPROPRIATE ANTIDIURETIC HORMONE (SIADH)
- The serum sodium level in SIADH

CSF LEAKS
- The causes of CSF leaks
- The natural course of CSF leaks
- Infectious complications with CSF leaks
- The management of CSF leaks

SCALP INJURIES
- The blood supply to the scalp
- The treatment of scalp laceration bleeding
- The management of subgaleal hematomas
- Nerve complications from scalp lacerations