HLTH 2501: congenital neurological disorders and seizures Flashcards
hydrocephalus
is a condition mostly in infants is which excess CSF accumulates within the skull, compressing the brain tissues and blood vessels; this can occur because the sutures of the skull have no yet closed
why does excess CSF form in hydrocephalus?
because there is usually an obstruction in some area, causing more to be produced than is absorbed
two types of hydrocephalus
noncommunicating (obstructive) or communicating
noncommunicating hydrocephalus
occurs in babies when the flow of CSF through the ventricular system is blocked, usually at the aqueduct of Sylvius or the foramen magnu,
what does noncommunicating hydrocephalus result from?
a fetal developmental abnormality like stenosis, a neural tube defect or Arnold-Chiari malformation; the obstruction will lead to increased back pressure of fluid in the ventricles, which gradually enlarge
communicating hydrocephalus
occurs when the absorption of CSF through the subarachnoid villi is impaired, resulting in increased pressure of CSF in the system
atresia
is the absence of a canal or opening at the connecting channels between the ventricles
most common causes of hydrocephalus
stenosis, an atreisa, or a thickened arachnoid membrane
signs of hydrocephalus
enlarges head, scalp veins appear dilated, enlarged eyes (sunset sign), pupil response is slow, lethargy, and high-pitched dry
sunset sign
is when the white sclera of the eyes is visible above the coloured pupil; is a sign of hydrocephalus in infants
hydrocephalus signs in adults
decreased memory, difficulty in coordination, impaired balance, and urinary incontinence
when may hydrocephalus develop in adults?
from obstruction due to tumors, infection, or scar tissue, as well as meningitis
diagnosis for hydrocephalus
a CT or MRI
treatment for hydrocephalus
surgery to remove an obstruction or provide a shunt for CSF from the ventricle
spina bifida
refers to a group of neural tube defects that are congenital anomalies of varying severity
how do spina bifida disorders develop?
is failure of the posterior spinous processes on the vertebrae to fuse, which may permit the meninges and spinal cord to herniate, resulting in neurologic impairment
where does spina bifida most commonly develop?
the lumbar region
three types of spina bifida
spina bifida occulta, meningocele, and myelomeningocele
spina bifida occulta
develops when the spinous processes do not fuse, but when herniation of the spinal cord and meninges does not occur, leaving a small gap in the bones of the spine
how is spina bifida occulta diagnosed?
by a dimple or a tuft on hair present on the skin over the site
meningocele
spinous processes do not fuse but herniation of the meninges occurs through the defect and the meninges and CSF form a sac on the surface; neurological impairment is usually not present
myelomeningocele
the most serious form of spina bifida and occurs when there is herniation of the spinal cord and nerves along with the meninges and CSF, resulting in considerable neurological damage
what spina bifida is often seen in conjunction with hydrocephalus?
myelomeningocele
how is spina bifida generally diagnosed?
by alpha-fetoprotein that has leaked from the defect into the amniotic fluid surrounding the fetus and ultrasounds
spina bifida causes
is multifactorial; genetic conditions like anencephaly or environmental conditions like exposure to radiation, gestational diabetes, and deficits of vitamin A or folic acid
anencephaly
is the absence of cerebral hemispheres and superior cranial vault
what spina bifida disorders appear as a protruding sac over the spine?
meningocele and myelomeningocele
myelomeningocele neurological impairments
may be lost sensory and motor function at and below the level of the herniation, muscle weakness or paralysis, and bladder and bowel control may be lost
spina bifida treatment
surgical repair may be done in utero before birth and PT and OT after birth to manage neurological deficits
potential complications of surgery with spina bifida
rupture and infection
cerebral palsy
is a group of disorders marked by some degree of motor impairment, caused by genetic mutations, abnormal fetal formation, infection, or brain damage in the perinatal period
what may impact the brain in a child with cerebral palsy?
mechanical trauma, hypoxia, hemorrhage, hypoglycemia, hyperbilirubinemia, or infection