1: Neuropathology

Question 1

selective vulnerability

Answer 1

set of neurons that share 1+ properties demonstrating response to insult, but not necessarily located together

Question 2

pilocytic astrocytoma

Answer 2

area of longstanding gliosis - a super slow growing neural tumor

Question 3

what disease has pilocytic astrocytoma as part of it?

Answer 3

alexander disease

Question 4

cerebral edema

Answer 4

flui accumulation in brain parenchyma

Question 5

which is more common in practice - vasogenic or cytotoxic edema

Answer 5

both together is most common

Question 6

what happens to the brain in cerebral edema

Answer 6

gyri flatten, sulci narrow, ventricles compressed, can cause herniation

Question 7

brain’s response to increased CSF

Answer 7

1. absorb the CSF via tranventricular and nerve root sleeves
2. dilation of frontal and temporal horns
3. elevate the corpus callosum
4. cerebral mantle thins
5. septum pellucidum stretches
6. third ventricle enlarges + moves downward
7. papilledema

Question 8

two major conditions that cause pyogenic meningitis at the base of the brain

Answer 8

Tb, neurosyphilis

Question 9

gait disturbance in NPH

Answer 9

unsteadiness, decrease in step height, decrease in speed, magnetic gait, tendency to fall backward

Question 10

dementia seen in NPH

Answer 10

impaired recall but less impaired recognition compared to Alzheimer’s

Question 11

two main causes of increased ICP

Answer 11

general brain edema, expanding mass

Question 12

herniation

Answer 12

increased pressure beyond compensatory ability of the venous system -> tissue herniates past the rigid dural folds or through openings in the skull

Question 13

signs of increased intracranial pressure

Answer 13

papilledema**, HA, N/V, behavior change, lethargy, change in pupil reaction, seizures

Question 14

infarct

Answer 14

area of necrosis due to sudden insufficiency of blood supply

Question 15

liquefactive necrosis

Answer 15

digestion of tissue into liquid viscous mass with no architectural remnants

Question 16

type of necrosis seen in CNS

Answer 16

liquefactive

Question 17

hygroma

Answer 17

separation of arachnoid from dura due to contraction of underlying brain parenchyma due to infarct

Question 18

what accounts for most CNS malformations?

Answer 18

neural tube defects

Question 19

when is folate important? why?

Answer 19

before pregnancy + in the first 28 days; bc this is when the neural tube is forming

Question 20

what is the area of disorganized brain tissue in anencephaly called?

Answer 20

area cerebrovasculosa

Question 21

brain malformations that form during first vs second trimester

Answer 21

1st: encephalocele, anencephaly, holoprosencephaly
2nd: lissencephaly, microgyria, microcephaly

Question 22

five things considered spinal dysraphism

Answer 22

1. spina bifida
2. dermal sinus
3. meningocele
4. myelomeningocele
5. arnold-chiari

Question 23

athetosis

Answer 23

slow, involuntary writhing movements of hands, fingers, feet, toes

Question 24

fall when awake vs LOC

Answer 24

awake: typically fall back and injure occiput
LOC: typically fall forward and injure frontal lobe

Question 25

in a fractured skull autopsy, how can you tell timing of different impacts?

Answer 25

later fracture lines do not extend across previous fracture lines

Question 26

what occurs with a basal skull fracture

Answer 26

orbital &/or mastoid hematomas, possibly CSF drainage from ears/nose

Question 27

coup vs contrecoup

Answer 27

coup: contusion at point of impact
contrecoup: diametrically opposed to coup

Question 28

plaque jaune

Answer 28

depressed, retracted yellow/brown patches involving crests of gyri (like a brain bruise)

Question 29

TBI: traumatic brain injury

Answer 29

damage to brain due to external mechanical force, with an altered state of consciousness and temporary or permanent impairment of brain function