L22 - intracranial tumours Flashcards
clinical features of raised intracranial pressure
headaches
vomiting
blurred vision (due to papilloedema)
presentation of intracranial tumours
raised ICP epilepsy neurological defects endocrine dysfunction incidental finsings seizures
what causes symptoms of raised ICP
tumour mass
surrounding oedema
obstructive hydrocephalus
neurological deficits
cognitive visual cranial nerve motor sensory
which cranial nerves does a lesion in the cerebellopontine angle affects
7 and 8
what causes subnormal levels of endocrine production
tumour destroyed pituitary gland so not enough cells to generate the hormones we need
what causes over production of the endocrine hormones
tumour can secrete hormones
which tumours are benign / asymptomatic / are often found incidentally
meningiomas / pituitary tumours
examination
higher mental function
cranial nerve abnormality
motor/sensory
cerebellar signs
investigations
haematological tumour markers hormoral assay visual fiels CT
what does a function MRI tell us
identifies the eloquent areas such as speech or auditory areas which may be affected
what does MRS (MR spectroscopy do?
looks at the tumour and then targets an area to see what the chemical signature is
medical management of IC tumours
steroids (if oedema)
anti-convulsants (if seizures)
hormonal replacement
examples of steroids used to treat these tumours
dexmethasone
neuro-navigation of tumours
easily get a point for a biopsy - possible due to infrared cameras
