Central Nervous System Path Quiz 5 Flashcards
Ancephaly
absence of brain formation
Microcephaly
diminished brain size
Agyri
absence of gyri
Polymicrogyri
increased number of smaller than normal, shallow gyri
Macrogyri/pachygyri
enlarged abnormal gyri
Hydrocephalus
build up of too much CSF in brain
due to incr production, blockage, or reabsorption
most common cause of hydrocephalus?
blockage
why do babies with hydrocephalus have heads that become massive?
because fontanelles allow expansion of growth plates
Spina bifida is
failure of normal closure of the vertebral column and/or overlying skin on dorsal aspect of spinal cord
Spina bifida occulta
refers to a condition of a missing portion of a posterior vertebral body.
Meningocele
refers to herniation of the meninges but not the cord
Menigomyelocele
is the herniation of the meninges and the spinal cord
abnormally elevated levels of which protein is associated with neural tube defects (spina bifida)?
maternal alpha fetal protein (Maternal AFP or MAFP)
tested in second trimester
maternal alpha fetal protein (MAFP) is seen in which conditions?
spina bifida
anencephaly
abdominal wall defects
cerebral palsy (a disorder of movement) is most likely to occur when?
during pregnancy
can also occur during childbirth, or after birth
by far the most common type of cerebral palsy is?
spastic cerebral palsy
The most common finding on autopsy of newborns and infants with cerebral palsy is
periventricular leukomalacia (necrosis around the ventricles)
The most common cause of meningitis is
viral infections
The second most common cause of meningitis is
bacterial infections
much more severe
where is the spinal needle usu inserted for lumbar puncture?
between 3rd and 4th lumbar vertebrae
the most common cause of bacterial meningitis in children?
neisseria meningitis
referred to as meningococcal meningitis
microscopic appearance of neisseria meningitidis
gram negative diplococci
In Meningococcal meningitis, a rapidly-spreading rash may precede other sx. whats the rash called?
petechial rash
aseptic meningitis associated with increased WBCs, esp lymphocytes should make you think
viral meningitis!
which two enteroviruses account for 50% of aseptic menintitis
coxsackie virus
echovirus
the most common cause of viral meningitis/encephalitis in children and adults?
enteroviruses
Encephalitis due to HSV infection characteristically involves which parts of the brain?
temporal lobes
whats the most common organism found in brain abscesses?
streptococcus
a brain abscess will appear how on imaging?
walled off calcified area
Neurocysticercosis is caused by
eating pork infected with tape worm larvae
Neurocysticercosis looks how on imaging?
multiple abscesses in brain
