Head Bleed

Question: A 42 year old woman undergoes resection of a large CPA meningioma. During the procedure, a branch from the anterior inferior cerebellar artery is cut and repaired. On postoperative day 1 a CT is obtained that shows some blood products in the fourth ventricle and prepontine cistern without overt hydrocephalus. On postoperative day 2, she exhibits decreased arousal, hypertension, and bradycardia. Which of the following describes this constellation of symptoms?

a) AICA territory stroke with vagal dysfunction

b) Subarachnoid hemorrhage causing Cushing’s triad

c) Bacterial meningitis

d) Brainstem herniation

[Answer will be posted with next week's new question]

Answer to last week's question, “Move A Muscle” (October 10, 2022)

D - Lateral cricoarytenoid.