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Brain herniation

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Anonymous

14y ago
Updated: 6/22/2024
Definition

A brain herniation is when brain tissue, cerebrospinal fluid, and blood vessels are moved or pressed away from their usual position in the head.

Alternative Names

Herniation syndrome; Transtentorial herniation; Uncal herniation; Subfalcine herniation; Tonsillar herniation; Herniation - brain

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

A brain herniation occurs when something inside the skull produces pressure that moves brain tissues. This is most often the result of brain swelling from a head injury.

Brain herniations are the most common side effect of tumors in the brain, including:

A brain herniation can also be caused by:

A brain herniation can occur:

  • Between areas inside the skull, such as those separated by a rigid membrane called the "tentorium"
  • Through a natural opening at the base of the skull called the foramen magnum
  • Through openings created during brain surgery
SymptomsSigns and tests

A neurological exam shows changes in alertness (consciousness). Depending on the severity of the herniation, there will be problems with one or more brain-related reflexes and cranial nerve functions.

Patients with a brain herniation have irregular heart rhythms and difficulty breathing consistently.

Treatment

Brain herniation is a medical emergency. The goal of treatment is to save the patient's life.

To help reverse or prevent a brain herniation, the medical team will treat increased swelling and pressure in the brain. Treatment may involve:

  • Placing a drain placed into the brain to help remove fluid
  • Corticosteroids, such as dexamethasone, especially if there is a brain tumor
  • Medications that remove fluid from the body such as mannitol or other diuretics, which reduce pressure inside the skull
  • Placing a tube in the airway (endotracheal intubation) and increasing the breathing rate to reduce the levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the blood
  • Removing the blood if bleeding is causing herniation
Expectations (prognosis)

The outlook varies and depends on where in the brain the herniation occurred. Death is possible.

A brain herniation itself often causes massive stroke. There can be damage to parts of the brain that control breathing and blood flow. This can rapidly lead to death or brain death.

Complications
  • Brain death
  • Permanent and significant neurologic problems
Calling your health care provider

Call your local emergency number (such as 911) or take the patient to a hospital emergency room if decreased alertness or other symptoms suddenly develop, especially if there has been a head injury or if the person has a brain tumor or blood vessel malformation.

Prevention

Prompt treatment of increased intracranial pressure and related disorders may reduce the risk of brain herniation.

ReferencesNkwuo N, Schamban N, Borenstein M. Selected oncologic emergencies. In: Marx JA, ed.Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 6th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2006:chap 121.
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14y ago

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What is The name of the condition when an edema or lesion exerts pressure within the cranial compartment and shifts the skull's contents?

The condition mentioned is brain herniation. According to place of lesion the brain contents may shift by structures called falx, tentorium and also sometimes foramen magnum ( hole through which the spinal cord passes)


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Related Questions

What is the medical term meaning herniation of the brain?

The medical term for herniation of the brain is "brain herniation." This condition occurs when part of the brain is displaced from its normal position within the skull, usually due to increased pressure within the skull. Brain herniation is a serious medical emergency that requires prompt treatment to prevent further damage.


What is herniation through the cranium called?

Herniation through the cranium is called "brain herniation." This occurs when brain tissue shifts from its normal position due to increased intracranial pressure, often as a result of trauma, tumors, or swelling. The most common types of brain herniation include uncal herniation, tonsillar herniation, and central herniation. Each type can lead to severe neurological deficits and is considered a medical emergency.


How does herniation of the brainstem occur?

Death or permanent debilitation follows herniation of the brain stem.Such herniation will cause compression of those structures within the brain stem that control the most vital functions of the body (breathing, heart beat, consciousness).


What is a congenital herniation of brain tissue through a gap in the skull?

False, that would be an encephalocele.


What is the medical term meaning hernia of the spinal cord?

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Cerebellar tonsillar ectopia refers to a brain condition. In this condition, the tonsils near the back of the skull lay low causing herniation.


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Define the term coning and there complications?

coning is herniation of the brain due to an increased intracranial pressure (ICP). the increased ICP can cause pressure on the brain stem and cause respiratory difficulties such as hyperventilaton and cheyne stocking. coning is a medical emergency and can result in death


What is the term meaning herniation of the meninges?

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The Earth's Moon is considered to be "waning" when it's phase is past "full moon" and changing phases into the "last quarter" and "new moon" phases. After that, it waxes strong again. In the field of medicine, "coning" is a type of brain herniation.


What may cause the medulla oblongata to be wedged into the foramen magnum by pressure of blood?

That can be from anything that increases the pressure in the brain such as swelling, bleeding or masses and is called herniation. It can be from a birth defect known as a Chiari malformation.


What is the sagittal sign?

The sagittal sign is a clinical indicator used in the assessment of certain conditions, particularly in the context of evaluating intracranial pressure or brain herniation. It refers to the presence of a midline shift in brain structures as viewed on imaging, indicating potential displacement due to mass effect from lesions or swelling. This sign is crucial for diagnosing and managing conditions such as traumatic brain injury or brain tumors. Detecting the sagittal sign can guide treatment decisions to alleviate increased intracranial pressure.