There are a number of causes of spontaneous parenchymal haemorrhages. These include: hypertension, vascular malformations and aneurysms, neoplasm (primary or metastatic), cerebral amyloid angiopathy, use of antiplatelet agents or anti-coagulants, blood dyscrasias and drug abuse (e.g. amphetamine and cocaine use). Parenchymal haemorrhages could also be subdivided into deep versus lobar haemorrhages, where deep haemorrhages (basal ganglia, thalamus,…
These are the cranial CT scans from a patient with a recent left cerebellar infarct . Due to the significant cytotoxic oedema as a result of the cerebellar infarct, the fourth ventricle is being compressed , thus obstructing the normal CSF flow. The CT scan shows features of obstructive hydrocephalus and there is dilatation of the third ventricle (now…
A lumbar puncture (LP, also known as a spinal tap) is a diagnostic and at times, therapeutic medical procedure. Diagnostic indications The main diagnostic indications of performing a LP is for collection and evaluation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for diagnosis and exclusion of infectious, inflammatory and neoplastic diseases affecting the central nervous system. For example,…