Case Study Analysis: Pathophysiology, Brain Injury, Dementia Risk

This case study analyzes the pathophysiology of a patient with a history of cerebrovascular accident, seizure attacks, and potential risk of dementia. The analysis rules out severe traumatic brain injuries based on the absence of specific evidence, focusing instead on the implications of concussions and the prior cerebrovascular accident. The study discusses the use of EEG for seizure diagnosis and links the patient's symptoms, such as dizziness and loss of consciousness, to potential seizure activity. It also highlights the patient's low blood pressure and potential future cerebrovascular disease. Furthermore, the case explores the risk of dementia, considering family history and the patient's symptoms, including seizure attacks, as indicators. The patient's habits, such as alcohol intake and smoking, are also discussed as factors contributing to multi-organ disorders. The analysis emphasizes that the patient's condition results from a combination of factors rather than a single disorder.

Running head: PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
CASE STUDY ANALYSIS
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
Table of Contents
Traumatic brain injuries to be ruled out.....................................................................................2
Seizure attack test.......................................................................................................................2
Cerebrovascular accident occurrence.........................................................................................3
Risk of future dementia..............................................................................................................3
References..................................................................................................................................5

2PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
Traumatic brain injuries to be ruled out
Traumatic brain injuries including penetrating brain injuries and anoxic brain injuries
can be ruled out of this case. This is because of the fact that there is no proof of oxygen
associated disorders or skull piercing accidents. Only concussions and brain contusions can
be included in the case study since the patient suffered from a thrombotic cerebrovascular
accident two years back (Dixon, 2017). Seizures have also been found to be affecting him
because of the stroke which signifies a brain injury that is traumatic in nature (Pitkänen et al.,
2017). Since no other brain injury pieces of evidence have been provided in the case study, it
can be stated that the person may not be suffering from severe traumatic brain injuries related
to mechanical causes. Even if he has one, then it is bound to be due to his cerebrovascular
accident leading to ischemic stroke condition which leads to a traumatic brain injury.
Seizure attack test
The most significantly used test for a seizure attack is EEG (electroencephalogram)
which helps the doctors to diagnose a seizure. This test is clinically used to diagnose brain
waves which help in the diagnosis of seizure. The patient has already been reported to be
suffering from seizure attacks (Routine, Head & Brain, 2018). Epilepsy consists of the major
section of seizure attack in which the nerve cell activities of the brain get disrupted finally
leading to seizures. Physical examinations involving unusual behaviours, loss of
consciousness and sensations have been stated to be the main diagnostic factors for seizures.
This patient also has been stated to be suffering from dizzy spells at times and loss of
consciousness which may be diagnosed as the effects of a seizure attack (Popkirov et al.,
2019). This condition may have resulted from his traumatic brain injury. Other symptoms
included dizziness and malaise which are also the clinical symptoms of a seizure. Thus, it can

3PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
be stated that the clinical diagnosis of seizure in this patient can be made only by all the state
techniques stated in the upper section.
Cerebrovascular accident occurrence
The patient has been stated to be suffering from Tachycardia with a blood pressure of
70/50 mmHg. This condition can be stated as a low blood pressure which may be a sign of
future cerebrovascular disease. Since the patient has been stated to suffer from tachycardia
and if it is left untreated, this condition can disrupt the normal functioning of the heart and
lead to serious complications which including cerebrovascular arrest (Cierpka-Kmieć &
Hering, 2019). However, it is evident that he does not have new cardio or cerebrovascular
accident since he is found to be affected more by gastrointestinal disorders than by heart
associated disorders.
Risk of future dementia
Dementia is termed as a set of conditions or diseases that are characterized by a reduction in
language, memory, overthinking and problem-solving skills or the abilities to perform ADLs
(activities of daily living). This condition has been found to be associated with stroke patients
or patients who have already been recovered from a stroke condition a few years back. This
patient has also shown signs of dementia which is a seizure attack. From family history, it has
been identified that his family member had died of Alzheimer’s disease and colon cancer.
This disorder has been shown to progress to dementia in the future, better known as
Alzheimer's dementia (Bos et al., 2017). Since Alzheimer's dementia is a genetic disorder, as
stated by many scientists, this patient may also be affected by Alzheimer’s disorder. Thus, it
can be stated that the patient has a risk of future dementia because of his current health
condition.

4PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
After going through the post and analyzing a response from it, it can be stated that a
person may not die for only a single disorder or may not be affected by a single disorder. This
factor has been stated to be evident from the family members also who died of colon cancer
and Alzheimer’s disease together. In this case study, it has also been observed that the patient
was suffering from post-cerebrovascular accident effects and has also been found to be
affected by serious gastric disorders. Progression of dementia is also evident from his
dizziness, malaise and seizure attacks if not properly controlled. Habits including heavy
alcohol intake and smoking were increasing the chances of liver cirrhosis and lung disorders.
Thus, it can be stated that the patient is affected by multi-organ disorders which occurred due
to several causes.

5PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
References
Bos, I., Vos, S. J., Frölich, L., Kornhuber, J., Wiltfang, J., Maier, W., ... & De Roeck, E. E.
(2017). The frequency and influence of dementia risk factors in prodromal
Alzheimer's disease. Neurobiology of Aging, 56, 33-40.
Cierpka-Kmieć, K., & Hering, D. (2019). Tachycardia: The hidden cardiovascular risk factor
in uncomplicated arterial hypertension. Cardiology journal.
Dixon, K. J. (2017). Pathophysiology of traumatic brain injury. Physical Medicine and
Rehabilitation Clinics, 28(2), 215-225.
Pitkänen, A., Kyyriäinen, J., Andrade, P., Pasanen, L., & Ndode-Ekane, X. E. (2017).
Epilepsy after traumatic brain injury. In Models of Seizures and Epilepsy (pp. 661-
681). Academic Press.
Popkirov, S., Jungilligens, J., Grönheit, W., & Wellmer, J. (2017). Diagnosing psychogenic
nonepileptic seizures: video-EEG monitoring, suggestive seizure induction, and
diagnostic certainty. Epilepsy & Behavior, 73, 54-58.
Routine, E. C. G., Head, C. T., & Brain, M. R. I. (2018). Diagnostic Assessment of the First
Seizure. Common Pitfalls in Epilepsy: Case-Based Learning, 66.