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high systolic pressure after brain injury

14 year old son underwent a craniotomy to remove an acute subdural hematoma. Since his surgery his systolic pressures are running in the upper 130's and lower 140's. His diastolic pressures are normal (averages in the 70's) - when asked the drs. state his brain just needs time to heal. It has been a year and I don't see the systolic number getting better - they don't seem to be getting worst (higher) either. Drs. said they will just watch it - should I be having them look into this more or just let time be the healer? Being a teenager I know they use different numbers to state if they have high blood pressure or not - my concern is that for an adult a reading of the systolic in the 140's consistently would be worrisome so why are they not to concern when a 14 year olds systolic pressure is running high for over a year. He was also diagnoised with central hypothyroidism because of his brain injury - could that be related to his pressures?
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Avatar universal
Ok now I really am going to show how much I don't know - what does foci or focal point mean - does it mean there are lesions or changes on the brain. I always thought that artifact meant "not really there" - the response I got from the drs. here is that this mri is what they expected to see after surgery. Can these foci cause lingering residual effects like fatigue? memory issues.

Thanks
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Avatar universal
Hi,

Your son’s MRI report states in simple terms that there are a number of foci or focal point artifacts in the brain which can be the result of craniotomy that he had for removal of hematoma. However there is no fluid or blood collection in the brain anywhere.
Dura is the membrane that covers the brain. There is some thickening of the dura which can be due to an infection like meningitis or sinusitis or mastoiditis.
Hope this helps!
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Avatar universal
Thanks to both of you for responding. The cause of the subdural hematoma was from a helmet to helmet hit in football. Blood pressures are still of a concern - we did follow up with an endocrinologist and his TSH levels and Cortisol levels are low. We are awaiting some further test on the Cortisol levels. They believe hypothalamus/pituitary gland has been damages from his head injury. Might be the cause of the blood pressure plus his inabilityto do anything physically without causing headaches. He had a follow up MRI and this is what it said - does anyone know what this means? What are foci's?

Mild residual dural thickening is seen overlying the right cerebral convexity which is of intermediate signal on T1 and T2/FLAIR imaging. No residual subdural or extradural collection is identified. Numerous foci of susceptibility artifact are seen overlying the right cerebral convexity from prior surgery.

Thank you
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Avatar universal
Hi,

How are you?
What was the cause of subdural hematoma?
High BP after craniotomy is not a very likely complication.
Hypothyroidism also generally does not cause a rise in BP. I would suggest you to get him clinically evaluated at the earliest. Do keep us posted!
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563773 tn?1374246539
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hello,

How are you?

Raised systolic BP in teenagers may be due to number of causes and central hypothyroidism is one of them. The thyroid gland doesn't produce enough thyroid hormone, which can cause high blood pressure.

In teens up to age 18, high blood pressure is defined as a blood pressure greater than the 95th percentile for their age, height, and gender (in other words, 95% of kids at the same age, height, and gender will have blood pressure below this number). Measurements between 90% to 95% of the expected range are considered high-normal or borderline.

Some teens may inherit the tendency toward higher blood pressure from one or both parents. Kids and teens who are obese are at a higher risk for hypertension. Lack of exercise makes it easier to become overweight and increases the chance of high blood pressure in many cases.

http://kidshealth.org/teen/diseases_conditions/heart/hypertension.html.

It can be managed with lifestyle improvements, such as weight loss and dietary changes. But in some cases medication is required. Once the underlying condition (in this case central hypothyroidism) is effectively treated, secondary high blood pressure may decrease or even return to normal.

So please take the appointment of an endocrinologist and get your son properly evaluated.

In case of any more information,pls do post us.

Rgds and take care.
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