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Jiang Fang Shuai
Neurosurgery
About me
Loudi Central Hospital, Department of Neurosurgery, attending physician, has been engaged in clinical work in the field of neurosurgery for many years, with rich clinical experience in the diagnosis and treatment of neurosurgical diseases.
Proficient in diseases
Specializes in acute epidural hematoma, subdural hematoma, intracerebral hematoma, traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage. Cerebrovascular diseases mainly include cerebral infarction, cerebral hemorrhage, cerebral aneurysm and other common diseases.
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Is brainstem hemorrhage serious?
Brainstem hemorrhage is caused by the rupture of small blood vessels in the brainstem, with common causes including hypertension, cerebral arteriosclerosis, vascular degeneration, and microaneurysms of vessels. Clinically, it manifests as sudden onset of consciousness impairment, confusion, coma or deep coma, accompanied by disorders of limb sensory and motor functions, eye movement disorders, and unstable vital signs, among others. If the hemorrhage occurs in the medulla, it can cause death by stopping the patient's heartbeat and breathing within a short period. Brainstem hemorrhage is a severe condition in neurology, and treatment focuses on bed rest to stop bleeding, reducing intracranial pressure, and treating complications. Despite advances in modern medicine, medical professionals often find themselves powerless in the face of many patients with brainstem hemorrhage. For brainstem hemorrhages with more than three milliliters of blood, most patients ultimately succumb to the condition. Therefore, brainstem hemorrhage is a very serious disease with a very high mortality rate in clinical settings.
The difference between brainstem hemorrhage and cerebral hemorrhage.
Cerebral hemorrhage refers to any bleeding caused by the rupture of cerebral blood vessels. Based on the location of the bleeding, there is hemorrhage in the cerebral lobes, thalamic hemorrhage, cerebellar hemorrhage, brainstem hemorrhage, and so on. Consequently, brainstem hemorrhage is a type of cerebral hemorrhage. Because the brainstem is the life center of humans, even a small amount of bleeding can lead to severe consequences, and may even cause death. Therefore, brainstem hemorrhage is one of the most dangerous types of cerebral hemorrhage and has a very high rate of mortality and disability in clinical settings.
Why would there be bleeding in the brainstem?
Firstly, hemorrhaging can occur anywhere there are blood vessels. The brainstem is an important functional area of the human brain, connecting the cerebrum above and the spinal cord below, with the cerebellum closely positioned behind it. It serves as a crucial relay station for neural connections. This area is the control center of human life, managing vital functions such as breathing and heartbeat. Additionally, this area is densely packed with blood vessels. For patients with chronic hypertension, unstable blood pressure control can lead to degeneration and necrosis of the vessels, and even the formation of dissecting aneurysms or microaneurysms, which can cause the vessels to rupture and bleed under certain conditions. Like the vessels in other parts of the intracranial space, the blood vessels in the brainstem can also bleed. This is referred to as brainstem hemorrhage.
Can trigeminal neuralgia be cured completely?
Trigeminal neuralgia manifests as stubborn, intractable pain, but that does not mean we are helpless against it. The treatment of trigeminal neuralgia mainly involves the following aspects. Medication can only relieve symptoms and is not a cure. Radiofrequency ablation can destroy the trigeminal ganglion, but there is also a high probability of recurrence. The principle of Gamma Knife is somewhat similar to radiofrequency ablation, and the possibility of recurrence is also relatively high. Currently, the most effective treatment for a complete cure is surgical treatment, with about 80%-90% of patients with trigeminal neuralgia achieving complete eradication through treatments such as microvascular decompression surgery.
Is cerebral hemorrhage dangerous?
Cerebral hemorrhage damages the central nervous system, which is our command center. Once the command center is damaged, a person's respiration, blood pressure, pulse, heartbeat, body temperature, movement, sensation, digestion, and other vital activities will be affected. The common sites for cerebral hemorrhage are in the basal ganglia, cerebrospinal fluid, pons, and cerebellum. These regions are usually important brain functional areas. Therefore, although advanced medical technology is available for treating patients with cerebral hemorrhage, the mortality and disability rates are still relatively high. Cerebral hemorrhage is a dangerous disease.
Causes of brainstem hemorrhage
The causes of brainstem hemorrhage mainly include the following aspects: The first aspect is hypertension; arteriosclerosis is the most important cause of brainstem hemorrhage because prolonged high blood pressure and continuous impact of blood flow easily lead to damage and disease of the blood vessels, forming small aneurysms. These aneurysms eventually rupture, causing brainstem bleeding. The second aspect is vascular malformations in the brainstem area, which are another major cause of bleeding. Most patients under 40 with normal blood pressure and no coagulation disorders can find vascular malformations in the brainstem area after undergoing DSA examinations following brainstem hemorrhage. The third aspect is heavy drinking leading to increased blood pressure, impaired liver function, abnormal coagulation, etc., ultimately causing bleeding in the brainstem area.
Is a concussion dangerous?
Concussion is not a severe brain injury and there is no need for excessive worry; symptomatic supportive treatment is usually sufficient. Typically, rest is advised, along with a light diet, regular living habits, and abstaining from smoking and alcohol. If necessary, treatment may include neuro-nutritive medications and drugs to improve microcirculation. Generally, symptoms should subside within one to two weeks. It is important to note that concussions occur after head trauma, and there is a certain likelihood of re-bleeding within the first three days following the trauma. After three days, the possibility of intracranial hemorrhage becomes very very low. Therefore, post-concussion there is still some risk, and it is necessary to closely monitor any changes in the condition, potentially requiring hospitalization for observation and treatment.
How to check for a concussion?
How is a concussion diagnosed? In fact, the diagnosis of a concussion is primarily based on clinical manifestations such as a clear history of head trauma, temporary confusion, and retrograde amnesia. Concussions can also undergo some routine examinations, such as CT scans of the head, X-rays of the head, electroencephalography, cerebral blood flow imaging, and cerebrospinal fluid analysis. However, these test results are usually negative, meaning that the diagnosis of a concussion mainly relies on clinical manifestations and there are no effective diagnostic tests.
Is cold compress effective for trigeminal neuralgia?
Trigeminal neuralgia is a type of intense recurring pain in the facial areas distributed by the trigeminal nerve. When an attack occurs, the pain is unbearable for the patient. Clinically, besides immediately taking medication or opting for surgical treatments after stabilization, applying a cold compress can also alleviate symptoms. Placing a cold towel on the painful facial areas can relieve spasms and pain, improve local swelling, raise the pain threshold, and subsequently reduce the sensation of pain.
trigeminal neuralgia area
The trigeminal nerve, being the fifth pair of cranial nerves, branches into three divisions after emerging from the skull. The first division is the ophthalmic division, which innervates the upper eyelid and superficial parts of the eye and forehead. The second division is the maxillary division, governing the cheek, upper lip, and gums. The third division is the mandibular division, which affects the lower lip and gums. Trigeminal neuralgia is pain that occurs in the areas innervated by the trigeminal nerve, typically affecting one side and primarily involving the second and third divisions, with the second being the most common and the third next, while the first division is rare. The pain of trigeminal neuralgia can be confined to the area of one division or can occur in two or all three divisions simultaneously.