Diffuse Axonal Injury: Identifying EXCEPT True Statement
Diffuse Axonal Injury (DAI) is a severe form of traumatic brain injury resulting from rotational and shearing forces that damage nerve fibers throughout the brain. The question asks to identify the statement that is NOT true about DAI.
Analysis of Options:
- Option 1: Form of primary brain injury - This statement is TRUE. DAI occurs immediately at the time of impact due to mechanical forces, classifying it as a primary brain injury.
- Option 2: Seen in high energy - This statement is TRUE. DAI is typically associated with high-impact trauma, such as motor vehicle accidents or significant falls, where substantial kinetic energy is involved.
- Option 3: Patient is comatose - This statement is generally TRUE. Severe DAI often leads to immediate and prolonged loss of consciousness or coma due to widespread disruption of neural pathways.
- Option 4: CT scan shows pathognomonic finding - This statement is FALSE. While CT scans may show subtle signs like small punctate hemorrhages or evidence of swelling in severe cases, they are frequently normal, especially in mild to moderate DAI. Findings are often non-specific, and MRI is more sensitive for detecting DAI lesions. Therefore, CT findings are not considered pathognomonic (uniquely characteristic) for DAI.
Conclusion:
The statement that is NOT true regarding Diffuse Axonal Injury is that a CT scan shows a pathognomonic finding. While imaging is crucial, CT is limited in diagnosing DAI, and its findings are not definitive.
Important Questions from Brain & Nervous System Surgery
Which of the following chromosomal abnormalities are associated with brain tumours?
1. Neurofibromatosis type 1
2. Neurofibromatosis type 2
3. Peutz-Jeghers syndrome
4. Hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Consider the following clinical features:
1. Raised ICP
2. Seizures
3. Focal deficit
4. Headache
Which of the above clinical features are related to most brain tumours?
- The most common type of brain tumours associated with neurofibromatosis type 1 brain tumour syndrome is
Upper motor neuron lesions are characterized by which of the following?
1. Increased tone spasticity
2. Hyperreflexia
3. Absent plantar response
4. Motor weakness
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
A comatose patient after sustaining severe head injury has been admitted in neurosurgical ICU. Which of the following parameters should ideally be maintained in this patient ?
1. $pCO_2 = 4.5 – 5.0$ kPa ($33-38$ mm Hg)
2. MAP = $80 – 90$ mm of Hg
3. $pO_2 > 11$ kPa ($> 80$ mm Hg)
4. $Na^+ < 130$ meq/L
Select the correct answer using the code given below :
