Cushing's triad

Cushing's triad

Cushing's triad is a clinical triad variably defined as either hypertension, bradycardia, and irregular respiration [1], or less commonly as widened pulse pressure (with elevated systolic and a either elevated or normal diastolic BP), irregular respiration, and bradycardia.[2] It is sign of increased intracranial pressure, and it occurs as a result of the Cushing reflex.

It should not be confused with Cushing's syndrome, a disease state resulting from the elevated levels of blood cortisol.

Contents

Significance

Identification of the triad is important in emergency medicine because it suggests severe pressure within the cranial vault. This can be the result of cerebral hemorrhage, possibly due to a ruptured aneurysm or other cerebrovascular accident (a hemorrhagic stroke) or head trauma resulting in concussion and associated intracranial bleeding either within or outside the meninges (a subdural or epidural hemorrhage). It can also be due to an enlarging space-occupying lesion (a brain tumor). All of these events lead to the possibility of brain herniation, which can be rapidly fatal.

Eponym

It is named after Harvey Williams Cushing (1869-1939), an American neurosurgeon.

See also

References

  1. ^ Mayer, S.A.; Chong, J.Y. (2002). "Critical care management of increased intracranial pressure". Journal of intensive care medicine (Wiley Online Library) 17 (2): 55–67. 
  2. ^ Ayling, J (2002). "Managing head injuries". Emergency Medical Services 31 (8): 42. PMID 12224233. 

External links

PNS Mental/behavioral

Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать курсовую

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Cushing reflex — (also referred to as the vasopressor response, the Cushing effect, the Cushing reaction, the Cushing phenomenon, the Cushing response, or Cushing s Law) is a physiological nervous system response to increased intracranial pressure (ICP) that… …   Wikipedia

  • Cushing's syndrome — Classification and external resources ICD 10 E24 ICD 9 255.0 …   Wikipedia

  • Cushing — may refer to: Places in the United States Cushing, Iowa Cushing, Maine Cushing, Minnesota Cushing Township, Minnesota Cushing, Nebraska Cushing, Oklahoma Cushing, Texas Cushing, Wisconsin Cushing Island, Maine People Alonzo Cushing (1841 1863), U …   Wikipedia

  • Cushing — Cette page d’homonymie répertorie les différents sujets et articles partageant un même nom. Cushing peut faire référence à : Cushing, une localité du comté de Woodbury dans l Iowa, Cushing, une localité du Comté de Knox dans le Maine,… …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Triad — A triad, a group of three, may refer to:Computers*Triad, group of three phosphor dots used in some computer monitors *Triad C64, Commodore 64 cracking group * Rise Of The Triad , a computer game *TriadCity, a MUD with strong literary… …   Wikipedia

  • Cushing reaction — The Cushing reaction is a physiologic response to increased intracranial pressure. When hydrostatic pressure of cerebrospinal fluid rises, it compresses the cerebral arterioles and diminishes blood supply to the brain, a condition known as… …   Wikipedia

  • Charcot's neurologic triad — is the combination of nystagmus, intention tremor, and scanning or staccato speech. This triad is associated with multiple sclerosis, where it was first described;[1] however, it is not considered pathognomonic for it. It is named for Jean Martin …   Wikipedia

  • Cushing triad — decreased pulse, increased blood pressure, and a widening pulse pressure associated with increased intracranial pressure; it is a late clinical sign and may indicate brainstem herniation …   Medical dictionary

  • Intracranial pressure — (ICP) is the pressure inside the skull and thus in the brain tissue and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The body has various mechanisms by which it keeps the ICP stable, with CSF pressures varying by about 1 mmHg in normal adults through shifts in… …   Wikipedia

  • Dennie–Marfan syndrome — is a syndrome in which there is association of spastic paraplegia of the lower limbs and mental retardation in children with congenital syphilis. Both sexes are affected, and the onset of the disease can be acute or insidious, with slow… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”