CNS tumors Flashcards
which part of the brain controls
Personality characteristics
Decision making
Voluntary muscle movement
Producing speech
Short term memory
frontal
which part of the brain
Sense of touch, taste, smell
Interpretation of objects and space
parietal
which part of the brain
Short and long-term memory
Understanding of speech
Hearing
Emotions
temporal
which part of the brain
Visual sense and interpretation
occipital
which part of the brain
Coordination
Balance and equilibrium
cerebellum
which part of the brain
Origination of 10 CN’s
Autonomic function
Consciousness
Balance
Reflexes
Brainstem
Symptoms of a CNS tumor will reflect one of 3 pathological processes:
- Functional area of the brain involved
- Compression of adjacent structures
- Increased ICP
generalized symptoms in CNS tumors often represent a result of what?
what are these sx?
increase in intracranial pressure
HA, seizures, N/V, depressed LOC, neurocognitive dysfunction
focal presentation of CNS tumor
seizures, weakness, sensory loss, aphasia, visual spatial dysfunction
What is the MC manifestation of brain tumors and is often the worst symptom
HA
CNS tumor HA are often nonspecific and resemble what other type of HAs? which is MC?
tension type HA (MC, 40-80%)
migraines (10%)
pt has a HA
Described as a dull, constant ache, occasional throbbing
Bifrontal with increased pain on left side
Pain often worsens with change in body position or any maneuver raising ICP (coughing, sneezing, vomiting, Valsalva)
Pain at night or waking from sleep
what is your possible dx?
CNS tumor - left
Bifrontal with increased pain on ipsilateral side of tumor - occasionally unilateral or generalized
Progresses over time
Red flag sx of a HA
- New onset HA in middle-age/older pt
- Change in prior HA
- N/V
- Abnormal neuro exam
- Worsening with change in body position or maneuvers that raise ICP
this sx is secondary to increased ICP
N/V
Factors that suggest tumor-associated emesis
- Emesis triggered by abrupt change in body position
- Neurogenic emesis – emesis present with other neurological sx (HA, neuro deficits)
Significant rise in ICP can lead to ? resulting in diminished and LOC
a loss of cerebral perfusion
Altered Level of Consciousness/Syncope associated with CNS tumors are triggered by what 2 factors?
position change
activities that further increase ICP
Syncope due to increased ICP may results in what?
seizure activity
what sx is one of the MC symptoms in primary and metastatic tumors
focal seizures
can develop into generalized tonic-clonic seizures
Intensity, type and frequency depends on location of the tumor, describe each
- Frontal - focal tonic-clonic movements w/ one extremity, inability to perform cognitive tasks
- Occipital - visual disturbances
- Temporal - abrupt behavioral/memory changes with or without aura
- Parietal - sensory seizures
- auditory, visual and/or tactile hallucinations or numbness in a part of the body
pt is presenting with
Memory problems
Intellectual decline
Personality changes
Mood changes and lability
Fatigue, malaise and loss of interest in everyday activities
this presentation is indicative of what?
Neurocognitive Dysfunction
presentation of frontal lobe lesion
- Personality change - lack of inhibition, inability to control emotions
- Progressive intellectual decline
- Difficulty w/ concentration and memory
-
Expressive aphasia
- May occur from involvement of the dominant frontal lobe - Broca’s region
- Word finding hesitation/word substitutions - Anosmia - pressure on the olfactory nerve
-
Weakness
- Direct involvement or edema compressing primary motor cortex
- Common and often subtle
presentation of parietal lobe lesion
- Sensory seizures - auditory, visual and/or tactile hallucinations
-
Contralateral disturbances of sensation
- Loss of sensation w/o respect to a dermatomal or peripheral nerve distribution
- Tactile discrimination
- Astereognosis - Written language interpretation - alexia, agraphia
- Visuospatial deficit
presentation of occipital lobe lesions
- Homonymous hemianopia
- Loss of color perception
- Prosopagnosia - Inability to recognize a familiar face
- Visual Simultagnosia - Inability to integrate and interpret a composite scene as opposed to its individual elements
presentation of Temporal Lobe Lesions
- Seizures with olfactory or gustatory hallucinations (taste)
- Motor phenomena such as licking or smacking of the lips
- Depersonalization, emotional changes and behavior disturbance
- Sensations of déjà vu
- Auditory illusions/hallucinations
- Long-term memory impairment
- No language comprehension (Wernicke’s)
presentation of Brainstem Lesions
Cranial nerve palsies (III - XII)
Ataxic gait
Nystagmus
Altered reflexes
presentation of cerebellar lesions
Marked ataxia of the trunk
Incoordination and hypotonia of the limbs
causes of Increased Intracranial Pressure
- Large mass
- Restriction of CSF outflow causing hydrocephalus
- Tumors close to 3rd and 4th ventricles may impede flow of CSF
- Disruption of BBB by angiogenesis of tumor = edema
Classic triad of HA, N/V, and papilledema may not always be present