Brain & Behaviour Pbl Scenario Flashcards
What is medulloblastoma and what are the signs (location/origin)?
- A malignant tumour of the central nervous system
- Commonly found in or near the cerebellum in children
- headaches
- diplopia (double vision)
- ataxia (without coordination)
How is medulloblastoma treated?
- Resection of tumour
- radiotherapy
- chemotherapy
How does medulloblastoma cause hydrocephalus?’
Tumour blocks the flow of CSF by filling the fourth ventricle of the brain and causing an accumulation of CSF
What is hydrocephalus? (Signs & symptoms)
Hydrocephalus is the build up of cerebral spinal fluid in the ventricles
- blurred vision
- esotropia (abnormal eye movements)
- vertigo (unstable balance)
How is hydrocephalus treated?
- shunt (insertion of a drainage system)
- endoscopic third ventriculostomy (hole made between ventricles)
What is a ventriculo peritoneal shunt?
Thin plastic tube that helps drain excess CSF from ventricles to another part of the body
3 signs that show optic nerve damage
- blurred vision
- double vision (diplopia)
- visual field changes
What is esotropia, what muscle(s) are affected and which nerve is damaged?
- A type of strabismus in which eyes or eye turns inward
- medial and lateral rectus muscle
- medial rectus innervated by cranial nerve III (oculomotor)
- lateral rectus innervated by cranial nerve VI (abducens)
What is ptosis, what muscle and nerve is affected?
- Drooping of the upper eyelid which can occur in one or both eyes
- Levator muscle
- Superior division of cranial nerve III (oculomotor)
What is posterior fossa syndrome?
Or cerebellar mutism syndrome is a collection of neurological symptoms that occur following resection of a tumour in the posterior fossa and is characterised by reduction or absence of speech
What is a myopic astigmatism?
An imperfection in the curvature of the eye that causes objects far away to appear blurry as the two curves in the cornea or lens cause light to be focused in front of the retina resulting in long-sightedness
What is ataxia?
- Means without coordination.
- Lose muscle control in arms and legs which can lead to a lack balance, coordination and trouble walking.
What is papilledema? And what is it caused by in the pbl?
- Optic disc swelling that is secondary to elevated intercranial pressure
- Hydrocephaly (excess CSF) increases intercranial pressure as fluid builds up in ventricles
What is a craniectomy?
A neurosurgical procedure in which part of the skull is removed to allow a swelling brain room to expand without being squeezed
What is mutism and it’s causes?
- An absence of speech while conserving or maintaining the ability to hear the speech of others
- Due anxiety or phobia
- Due to resection of a tumour
