1: Neuropathology Flashcards
selective vulnerability
set of neurons that share 1+ properties demonstrating response to insult, but not necessarily located together
pilocytic astrocytoma
area of longstanding gliosis - a super slow growing neural tumor
what disease has pilocytic astrocytoma as part of it?
alexander disease
cerebral edema
flui accumulation in brain parenchyma
which is more common in practice - vasogenic or cytotoxic edema
both together is most common
what happens to the brain in cerebral edema
gyri flatten, sulci narrow, ventricles compressed, can cause herniation
brain’s response to increased CSF
- absorb the CSF via tranventricular and nerve root sleeves
- dilation of frontal and temporal horns
- elevate the corpus callosum
- cerebral mantle thins
- septum pellucidum stretches
- third ventricle enlarges + moves downward
- papilledema
two major conditions that cause pyogenic meningitis at the base of the brain
Tb, neurosyphilis
gait disturbance in NPH
unsteadiness, decrease in step height, decrease in speed, magnetic gait, tendency to fall backward
dementia seen in NPH
impaired recall but less impaired recognition compared to Alzheimer’s
two main causes of increased ICP
general brain edema, expanding mass
herniation
increased pressure beyond compensatory ability of the venous system -> tissue herniates past the rigid dural folds or through openings in the skull
signs of increased intracranial pressure
papilledema**, HA, N/V, behavior change, lethargy, change in pupil reaction, seizures
infarct
area of necrosis due to sudden insufficiency of blood supply
liquefactive necrosis
digestion of tissue into liquid viscous mass with no architectural remnants
type of necrosis seen in CNS
liquefactive
hygroma
separation of arachnoid from dura due to contraction of underlying brain parenchyma due to infarct
what accounts for most CNS malformations?
neural tube defects
when is folate important? why?
before pregnancy + in the first 28 days; bc this is when the neural tube is forming
what is the area of disorganized brain tissue in anencephaly called?
area cerebrovasculosa
brain malformations that form during first vs second trimester
1st: encephalocele, anencephaly, holoprosencephaly
2nd: lissencephaly, microgyria, microcephaly
five things considered spinal dysraphism
- spina bifida
- dermal sinus
- meningocele
- myelomeningocele
- arnold-chiari
athetosis
slow, involuntary writhing movements of hands, fingers, feet, toes
fall when awake vs LOC
awake: typically fall back and injure occiput
LOC: typically fall forward and injure frontal lobe
in a fractured skull autopsy, how can you tell timing of different impacts?
later fracture lines do not extend across previous fracture lines
what occurs with a basal skull fracture
orbital &/or mastoid hematomas, possibly CSF drainage from ears/nose
coup vs contrecoup
coup: contusion at point of impact
contrecoup: diametrically opposed to coup
plaque jaune
depressed, retracted yellow/brown patches involving crests of gyri (like a brain bruise)
TBI: traumatic brain injury
damage to brain due to external mechanical force, with an altered state of consciousness and temporary or permanent impairment of brain function
