Intracranial Hemorrhage: The Daily PANCE Blueprint
Which of the following is the most common cause of intraparenchymal hemorrhage?
A. Hypertension
B. Arteriovenous malformation
C. Trauma
D. Vasculitis
E. Cerebral amyloid angiography
Answer and topic summary
The answer is A. Hypertension
Intraparenchymal hemorrhage (IH) is defined as bleeding into the brain parenchyma, most commonly caused by hypertension (50% of cases). The most common location for this to occur is in the basal ganglia. Clinical manifestations include headache, emesis, bradycardia, hypertension, altered mentation, focal neurological findings, poorly reactive pupils or changes in pupil size. Diagnosis is made with a non-contrast CT head. Treatment includes managing ABCs, reducing blood pressure carefully (when SBP >180), elevating the HOB to 30 degrees, pain control, and reversing any coagulopathies.
View blueprint lesson
Smarty PANCE Content Blueprint Review:
Covered under ⇒ PANCE Blueprint Neurology ⇒ ⇒
Also found on PAEA Emergency Medicine Rotation EOR topic list
