Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

NEUROLOGY > Brain Tumours > Flashcards

Brain Tumours Flashcards

1
Q

What headache red flags should make you suspicious about brain tumours?

A

Worse in the morning

Wakes them up

Worse with coughing and on leaning forward

Associated with vomiting

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What is the most common type of brain tumour?

A

Metastases

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What is the most common type of primary brain tumours in adults?

A

Astrocytoma (high grade gliomas)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What type of brain tumour has a “butterfly” appearance on MRI?

A

Glioblastoma Multiforme

high grade glioma/ astrocytoma

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Anaplastic astrocytoma and glioblastoma multiforme are both types of high grade glioma. Which has the worst prognosis?

A

Glioblastoma multiforme (median survival is <1 year)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Give some examples of neuroepithelial tumours

A

Atrocytomas

Oligodendrogial tumours

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Give some examples of extra-axial tumours

A

Meningiomas

Pituitary tumours

Acoustic neuromas

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Which type of tumour causes a “white toothpaste” appearance when they invade the subarachnoid space?

A

Oligodendrogial tumours

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Why is survival higher with oligodendroglial tumours than other gliomas?

A

They are very chemosensitive

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What are meningiomas?

A

Benign tumours of mesenchymal cells

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

There is an increased risk of multiple meningioma in patients with which conditions?

A

Neurofibromatosis type 2 or PMH of radiation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What are ‘meningioma en plaque’?

A

A subgroup of meningiomas which involve a carpet/ sheet-like lesion that infiltrates the dura and sometimes invades the bone

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What kind of symptoms do meningiomas cause?

A

Mostly asymptomatic

May present with headaches and symptoms of raised ICP by compressing the underlying brain

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Which type of brain tumour originates from arachnoid cap cells in the arachnoid membrane?

A

Meningiomas

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Where do oligodendroglial tumours arise?

A

In the frontal lobes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Does the brain have pain sensation?

A

No, but the skin and dura e.t.c surrounding the brain do

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What is Foster-Kennedy syndrome?

A

Optic atrophy in the ipsilateral eye and papilloedema in the contralateral eye

Caused by a meningioma in the olfactory groove
/ or another type of brain tumour occurring in the frontal lobe of the brain

18
Q

What are the size limits for a microadenoma Vs a macroadenoma?

A

microadenomas < 10mm, macroadenomas >10mm

19
Q

Give some examples of conditions caused by functional pituitary tumours

A

Acromegaly and Cushing’s disease

*Functional pituitary tumours secrete pituitary hormones

20
Q

How are most pituitary tumours managed?

A

Transphenoidal hypophysectomy surgery

21
Q

How might a prolactinoma (type of pituitary tumour) present?

A

Amenorrhoea

Infertility
Loss of libido

Gelactorrhoea
Erectile dysfunction

22
Q

What investigation can be done for a prolactinoma and how is it managed?

A

Prolactin levels and imaging

Dopamine agonists e.g cabergoline

23
Q

What condition would a GH secreting tumour cause?

A

Acromegaly

Growth of hands and feet
Carpal tunnel
Diabetes
e.t.c

24
Q

How would acromegaly be investigated and managed?

A

GH levels after glucose tolerance test

Managed with pegvisomant and somatostatin analogues

25
Q

What condition would an ACTH secreting tumour cause?

A

Cushing’s

Central obesity 
Hirsutism 
Acne 
Hypertension 
Moon face 
e.t.c
26
Q

How would an ACTH secreting tumour be investigated?

A

Dexamethasone suppression test

27
Q

How would a thyrotropinoma (type of pituitary tumour) present?

A 
Palpitations 
Weight loss 
Insomnia 
Anxiety 
Goiter 
e.t.c 
(symptoms of hyperthyroidism)
28
Q

How would a thyrotropinoma be investigated?

A

TSH, T3 and T4

would all be elevated

29
Q

What tumour is extra-axial and derived from schwann cells?

A

Acoustic neuroma (aka vestibular schwannoma)

30
Q

Most acoustic neuromas are unilateral, which condition should be considered if the tumour is bilateral?

A

Neurofibromatosis type 2

31
Q

Verocay bodies can be seen pathologically with which type of tumour?

A

Acoustic neuroma

32
Q

How might an acoustic neuroma present?

A

Unilateral sensorineural hearing loss

Tinnitus

Vertigo

Facial pain/ numbness (if trigeminal nerve is involved)

33
Q

What are the risks of operating on an acoustic neuroma?

A

Facial nerve palsy

Nystagmus

34
Q

Hemangioblastomas are benign, highly vascular tumours. Where are they most commonly found?

A

Posterior fossa

35
Q

Multiple asymptomatic hemangioblastomas are associated with which condition?

A

Von Hippel-Landau syndrome

36
Q

What 3 bloods should be done to investigate any midline brain tumour in children

A

ABP, HCG and LDH

suspect pineal tumour

37
Q

Which form of imaging is best to do in children?

A

MRI

CT has a high dose of radiation

38
Q

What is the risk of post op radiotherapy in children?

A

Can lower IQ

39
Q

What is the most common primary brain tumour in children?

A

Medullobastoma

40
Q

How can oligodendrogial tumours be differentiated from astrocytomas?

A

By the presence of calcification, cysts and peritumoral haemorrhage

41
Q

What clinical signs in children are suggestive of a brain tumour?

A

Tiptoeing and ataxia

NEUROLOGY (18 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions