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Pathology II > Chapter 8 - Nervous System > Flashcards

Chapter 8 - Nervous System Flashcards

1
Q

An acute inflammation of the meningeal covering of the brain & spinal cord. The microorganism can reach the meninges by hematogenous spread, spread from an adjacent infection, or introduction of bacteria after trauma/ surgery.

A

Meningitis

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2
Q

Sx:
* Fever
* Stiff neck
* Headache
* Confusion

A

Meningitis

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3
Q

Most common form. Caused by Haemophilus influenzae. (acute – worst one)

A

Bacterial Meningitis

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4
Q

Caused by various viruses including mumps, poliovirus, & herpes simplex. (Less severe/common, have vaccines for)

A

Viral Meningitis

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5
Q
  • MRI & CT – usually normal during acute episodes. Used to detect complications of the condition.
  • Lumbar puncture (aka spinal tap) used to collect CSF
  • Radiographs may show osteomyelitis, sinusitis or a fx.
A

Meningitis

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6
Q

Tx:
* Medication
o Antibiotics
o Antiviral

A

Meningitis

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7
Q

Infection of the brain & meninges. Usually caused by herpes simplex virus.

A

Encephalitis

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8
Q

Sx:
* Headache
* Fever
* Malaise (tired)
* Seizures
* Coma

A

Encephalitis

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9
Q

Accumulation of pus within the cranium. Usually due to chronic or systemic infections. Most commonly the streptococci bacteria.

A

Brain Abscess

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10
Q

Sx:
* Fever
* Headache
* Nausea/vomiting
* Seizures

A

Brain Abscess

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11
Q
  • Best viewed on MRI or CT
  • Early – abnormal density w/ poorly defined borders
  • Later – capsule
    o Mass effect
A

Brain Abscess

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12
Q
  • Broad-spectrum antibiotics
  • Craniotomy
A

Brain Abscess

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13
Q

Most common primary malignant brain tumor. Cause unknown. Arise from glial cells (support cells in CNS).

A

Glioma

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14
Q

Sx:
* Headache
* Impaired vision
* Personality changes
* Seizures

A

Glioma

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15
Q

Slow-growing, highly malignant lesion ★ most common

A

Astrocytoma

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16
Q

Predominantly cerebral malignant lesion

A

Glioblastoma

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17
Q

Tx:
* Surgical resection – remove
* Radiation therapy
* Chemotherapy

A

Glioma

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18
Q

5 year survival rate. Usually 2 ish.

A

Glioma

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19
Q

Slow-growing, benign tumor arising from the arachnoid cells that are attached to the dura

A

Meningioma

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20
Q

Sx:
* Subtle at first (since sow growing), then :
o Headache
o Impaired vision
o Hearing loss
o Memory loss
o Seizures

A

Meningioma

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21
Q

Tx:
* Surgical removal – fairly easy – superficial
* Gamma knife

A

Meningioma

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22
Q

Benign but still puts pressure on the brain

A

Meningioma

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23
Q

Benign tumor of the pituitary gland. (Master gland, in sella turcica)

A

Pituitary Adenoma

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24
Q

Sx:
* Physical
* Eye problems
* Hormonal problems

A

Pituitary Adenoma

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25
* Best viewed on CT & MRI o Mass effect * Radiographs (★Lateral skull) o Enlargement/ erosion of the sella turcica
Pituitary Adenoma
26
* Surgical removal – through the nose. ★ * Radiation therapy
Pituitary Adenoma
27
↑ secretion of growth hormone in open growth plate – keep growing. Closed growth plates- acromegaly
Pituitary Adenoma
28
Secondary metastases from other sites. May be multiple or single. Most common primary sites are breast & lung.
Metastatic Carcinoma
29
Sx: * ICP * Headache * Behavior problems * Vision problems * Seizures
Metastatic Carcinoma
30
* Surgical removal – if there is 1. * Radiation therapy – multiple
Metastatic Carcinoma
31
Focal neurologic deficit caused by an interruption of blood flow to the brain
Stroke “Cerebrovascular Accident or Acute Brain Infarction”
32
Risk Factors: * ↑ w/ age * ↑ B/P * ↑ cholesterol * Smoking * Diabetes
Stroke “Cerebrovascular Accident or Acute Brain Infarction”
33
Sx: * Weakness or paralysis on 1 side of the body * Confusion * Difficulty speaking * Vision problems * Dizziness/loss of balance * Headache
Stroke “Cerebrovascular Accident or Acute Brain Infarction”
34
Appearance: * CT w/o contrast is exam of choice to assess cause, location & extent * Carotid Doppler/duplex sonograms along w/ MRA are also useful to demonstrate location & extent of blockage. (occlusion) ★ * ★ locate hematoma
Stroke “Cerebrovascular Accident or Acute Brain Infarction”
35
Tx: Surgical intervention to remove the blood or repair damaged vessels
Hemorrhagic
36
Tx: thrombolytic drugs = blood thinners
Ischemic
37
Blood clot blocks a blood vessel. Caused by an embolus or thrombus.
Ischemic Stroke
38
Blood vessels in the brain rupture. Caused by a weakening in the vessel wall.
Hemorrhagic Stroke
39
Someone has every 40 – 50 seconds in US.
Stroke “Cerebrovascular Accident or Acute Brain Infarction”
40
temp interruption of blood flow.
Mini Stroke
41
“Cerebrovascular Accident or Acute Brain Infarction”
Stroke
42
Degenerative, chronic, progressive disease of the nervous system of unknown cause. This condition causes degeneration of the myelin sheath (demyelination) covering the nervous tissue of the spinal cord & white matter.
Multiple Sclerosis
43
Sx: * Progressive * Muscle weakness * Balance * Vision * Nystagmus – eyes back & forth rapidly * Bladder dysfunction
Multiple Sclerosis
44
* MRI demonstrates the plaque. (MS plaques, lesions) active or old plaques
Multiple Sclerosis
45
Tx: * Medication – antivirals * Exercise * PT * No cure, manage sx
Multiple Sclerosis
46
Affects people 20-40 years of age.
Multiple Sclerosis
47
Has relapse/remission
Multiple Sclerosis
48
A gradual loss of neurons results in enlargement of the ventricular system of the brain.
Normal Aging (Senile Dementia)
49
* MRI shows cerebral atrophy * Shows enlarged ventricles ★
Normal Aging (Senile Dementia)
50
A diffuse form of progressive cerebral atrophy that develops at an earlier age than normal senile dementia.
Alzheimer’s Disease
51
PET scanning is the modality of choice for demonstrating – enlarged ventricles
Alzheimer’s Disease
52
Tx: * Meds to slow progression * No cure
Alzheimer’s Disease
53
Inherited condition that predominantly affects men; consists of dementia & involuntary rapid jerky movements
Huntington’s Disease
54
Best demonstrated on CT scans of the brain.
Huntington’s Disease
55
caudate nucleus
Huntington’s Disease
56
A progressive degenerative disease characterized by a stooped posture, stiffness & slowness of movement, a fixed facial expression, & involuntary rhythmic tremor of the limbs.
Parkinson’s Disease
57
CT is useful, but may appear similar to scans of brains w/ normal aging changes
Parkinson’s Disease
58
Dopamine isn’t being created as normal
Parkinson’s Disease
59
Levodopa to cross over blood-brain barrier
Parkinson’s Disease
60
A progressive condition of unknown cause that consists of selective atrophy & loss of motor nerve cells leading to extensive paralysis & death from respiratory weakness or aspiration pneumonia
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig’s Disease)
61
Distention of the ventricles due to excessive accumulation of CSF. Can be congenital or acquired
Hydrocephalus “Water on the Brain”
62
Sx: * Early (pressure from brain) o Rapid increase in head size o Vomiting o Sleepiness o Irritability o Seizures
Hydrocephalus “Water on the Brain”
63
Caused by impaired CSF reabsorption in the absence of any obstruction of CSF flow between the ventricles & subarachnoid space. ★ (making, not absorbing, can flow) ★
Communicating
64
Occurs when flow of CSF is blocked along 1 or more of the narrow passages connecting the ventricles. ★(obstruction, not flowing)
Noncommunicating (obstructive)
65
* X-ray – Shunt placement * CT/ MR – Enlarged ventricles * US – Ventricular system in neonates
Hydrocephalus “Water on the Brain”
66
Tx: * Shunt to drain the fluid- usually into abdominal cavity
Hydrocephalus “Water on the Brain”
67
Can be caused by tumor, or by meningitis.
Hydrocephalus “Water on the Brain”
68
“Water on the Brain”
Hydrocephalus
69
Can be congenital or aquired
Hydrocephalus “Water on the Brain”

Pathology II (9 decks)

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