WBR0343
| Author | [[PageAuthor::Rim Halaby, M.D. [1] (Reviewed by Alison Leibowitz)]] |
|---|---|
| Exam Type | ExamType::USMLE Step 1 |
| Main Category | MainCategory::Pathophysiology |
| Sub Category | SubCategory::Neurology |
| Prompt | [[Prompt::A 64-year-old male presents to the ER with an acute onset headache, severe nausea, and vomiting. The patient reports that the pain woke him up and he vomited four times as a result of the pain. Shortly after arrival, the patient loses consciousness and attempts at arousal are unsuccessful. An emergent brain CT scan is illustrated below. Which of the following is the most important risk factor for this patient's condition?
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| Answer A | AnswerA::Smoking |
| Answer A Explanation | [[AnswerAExp::Smoking is not associated with an increased risk of Charcot-Bouchard aneurysms, but may increase the risk of ischemic strokes.]] |
| Answer B | AnswerB::Hypertension |
| Answer B Explanation | [[AnswerBExp::Hypertension is the major risk factor for Charcot-Bouchard aneurysms and intraparenchymal bleeds, with 90% of patients presenting with high blood pressure.]] |
| Answer C | AnswerC::Diabetes mellitus |
| Answer C Explanation | [[AnswerCExp::Diabetes mellitus is not associated with an increased risk of Charcot-Bouchard aneurysms, but may increase the risk of ischemic strokes.]] |
| Answer D | AnswerD::Marfan syndrome |
| Answer D Explanation | [[AnswerDExp::Marfan syndrome is associated with an increased risk of berry aneurysms and subarachnoid hemorrhage, but not Charcot-Bouchard aneurysms nor intraparenchymal bleeds.]] |
| Answer E | AnswerE::Hypercholesterolemia |
| Answer E Explanation | [[AnswerEExp::Hypercholesterolemia is not associated with an increased risk of Charcot-Bouchard aneurysms, but may increase the risk of ischemic strokes..]] |
| Right Answer | RightAnswer::B |
| Explanation | [[Explanation::Charcot-Bouchard aneurysms, small dilatations in the brain vasculature, are characteristically located in vessels less than 300 mcm in diameter. These aneurysms are usually located in the deep brain structures in the particularly the basal ganglia, thalamus, and internal capsule. Charcot-Bouchard aneurysms are linked to chronic uncontrolled hypertension, and are a common cause of hemorrhagic strokes, frequently originating in the basal ganglia, thalamus, pons, or subcortical white matter. Typical manifestations include focal neurological signs, headache, nausea, and altered levels of consciousness. Depending on extent of the hemorrhage, CT scans usually display a localized area of hyperdensity (which appear bright) in the brain parenchyma, typically resembling the image above. Educational Objective: Charcot-Bouchard aneurysms, a major cause of hemorrhagic stroke, are associated with chronic hypertension. |
| Approved | Approved::Yes |
| Keyword | WBRKeyword::Charcot-Bouchard aneurysms, WBRKeyword::Hypertension, WBRKeyword::aneurysm, WBRKeyword::brain, WBRKeyword::hemorrhagic stroke, WBRKeyword::chronic |
| Linked Question | Linked:: |
| Order in Linked Questions | LinkedOrder:: |
