Question

Severe headaches

Pulse 140

Blood pressure 110/70

Tachycardia

Right pupil not reactive to light

Fluctuating mental status

Head trauma unsteady gait

Zero response to painful stimulation on left side

Increased reflexes

I am asked to locate a brain lesion from these key signs and symptoms.

Answer 1

The above signs and symptoms point to the Autonomic dysreflexia which is characterized by uncontrolled hypertension and bradycardia. It occurs in patients with spinal cord injuries where lesions above T6 spinal cord level. The symptoms include blurred vision and headache. The increased blood pressure causes seizures, intracranial bleed or retinal detachment.