The concept of “disorders of brain function”

Fifty-four-year-old Fred is complaining of a headache that started about 2 weeks ago. For the past 2 days, the headache has increased in severity, and he is photophobic and has uncial rigidity and projectile vomiting. CT scan results show an arteriovenous malformation in the basal artery and a small hemorrhagic bleed in the middle meningeal artery.

How is the concept of “disorders of brain function” related to Fred’s presenting symptoms?
What aspects of cerebral circulation would come into play in Fred’s case?

Full Answer Section

AVMs are tangled masses of blood vessels that develop in the brain. They can cause bleeding, seizures, and strokes. The middle meningeal artery is a major blood vessel that supplies blood to the meninges, the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord. A hemorrhagic bleed in this artery can cause a blood clot to form, which can block the flow of blood to the brain and cause a stroke.

Cerebral circulation is the process by which blood is delivered to the brain. Blood enters the brain through the internal carotid arteries and vertebral arteries. These arteries branch off to form a network of smaller blood vessels that supply blood to all parts of the brain.

Fred's AVM and hemorrhagic bleed are both disrupting the normal flow of blood to his brain. This is causing him to experience a variety of neurological symptoms, including headache, photophobia, nuchal rigidity, and projectile vomiting.

Treatment for Fred's condition will likely involve surgery to remove the AVM and repair the hemorrhagic bleed. He may also need additional treatment, such as medication or physical therapy, to manage his symptoms and recover from his surgery.

Sample Answer Disorders of brain function are any conditions that disrupt the normal functioning of the brain. This can lead to a wide range of symptoms, including headaches, seizures, vision problems, memory loss, and movement disorders. Fred's presenting symptoms of headache, photophobia, nuchal rigidity, and projectile vomiting are all consistent with a disorder of brain function. The CT scan results show that he has an arteriovenous malformation (AVM) in the basal artery and a small hemorrhagic bleed in the middle meningeal artery. Both of these conditions can disrupt the normal flow of blood to the brain, which can lead to a variety of symptoms, including the ones that Fred is experiencing.