CNS tumors Flashcards
CNS neoplasms that present with epilepsy , where is the tumor ?
most likely to be infratentorial
what do posterior fossa tumors present with ?
headache and vomiting (signs of hydrocephalus)
what are the risk factors of developing CNS neoplasms?
- sex; gliomas are more common in males , meningiomas are more common in females
- exposure to ionizing radiation
- presence of primary CNS lymphoma
what are the effects of a CNS tumor ?
- local destruction of neural tissue
- edema
- distortion of neural tissue
- Raised ICP
what is the complication in cases of severe increased intracranial pressure ?
ICP herniation
where can ICP herniations occur ?
Subfalcine herniation
tentorial herniation
tonsillar herniation
what are the types of spinal cord tumors ?
extradural -metastatic carcinoma, myeloma, lymphoma
intradural/extra medullary - meningioma, schwannoma
intramedullary- gliomas
what is the gold standard for diagnosing CNS tumors ?
MRI with contrast , it helps with the visualization of the tumor location and the tumors aggressiveness
How is the tumor aggressiveness measured ?
by the surrounding edema
What are the surgical treatment options?
gross total excision
subtotal resection with tumors near eloquent areas
Biopsy - open biopsy or stereotactic
what is the clinical presentation of CNS tumors ?
UMNL
sensory deficits
Urinary dysfunction
What is some adjuvant therapy that can be used with CNS tumor patients
- Dexamethasone can be given to decrease the edema
- whole brain radiotherapy
- stereotactic radio surgery (gamma knife)
- hormonal replacement therapy if the hypothalamus ais affected or the pituitary stalk
- anti epileptic therapy
what kind of oedema is associated with brain tumores ?
vasogenic edema
Huge tumors in the fourth ventricles can cause …
hydrocephalus
Stereotactic biopsy is the surgery of choice in ..
deep seated lesions
the most common nerve sheath tumor is called
schwanomma
hormonal replacement therapy is needed in brain tumors originating from
the hypothalamus or the pituitary
what are spinal intradural tumors classified into ?
intramedullary and extramedullary
