Malignancies

Question 1

MC tumor in children

Answer 1

cerebellar astrocytoma

Question 2

2nd MC tumor in children (usually 5-14y/o)

Answer 2

medulloblastoma (type of embryonal tumor)

• has a very high malignancy–> death if not medically treated

Question 3

Very common meningeal tumor

Answer 3

meningioma

Question 4

What other tumor type is common

Answer 4

pituitary tumors

Question 5

MC etiology of CNS lesions/tumors

Answer 5

metastasis from lung, breast or melanoma

Question 6

3rd MC tumor in children

Answer 6

ependymoma

Question 7

MC intra-cranial tumor is…

Answer 7

a metastasized lesion

Question 8

Least common area of the brain for a tumor to occur

Answer 8

occipital regions

Question 9

Only known trigger for Brain/CNS tumors is…

Answer 9

ionizing radiation

Question 10

General presentations of Brain/CNS tumors

Answer 10

Nonspecific:

• HA classically worse in morning
• altered mental status
• cranial nerve deficits

Question 11

What is a mass effect

Answer 11

A lesion in the brain that causes ICP that leads to HA, N/V, papilledema, ataxia, AMS

Question 12

Number 1 way to dx Brain/CNS tumor

Answer 12

non contrast CT

Question 13

Diagnostic gold standard for dx

Answer 13

Biopsy

Question 14

Atreriovenous (AV) malformation

Answer 14

abnormal, snarled, tangles of blood vessels that cause multiple irregular connections between the arteries and veins

Question 15

Cavernous hemangiomas

Answer 15

groups of tightly packed, abnormally thin-walled, small blood vessels that displace normal neurological tissue in the brain/spinal cord

vessels are filled with slow-moving or stagnant blood that is usually clotted or in a state of decomposition

Question 16

Which is more likely to hemorrhage?

Arteriovenous malformations or Cavernous hemangiomas

Answer 16

AV malformations

Question 17

Which is most symptomatic?

Arteriovenous malformations or Cavernous hemangiomas

Answer 17

AV malformations

Question 18

Which can cause seizures?

Arteriovenous malformations or Cavernous hemangiomas

Answer 18

Cavernous hemangiomas

Question 19

Capillary telangiectasias

Answer 19

groups of abnormally swollen capillaries usually measuring less than an inch in diameter

usually benign

rarely cause exudative damage to surrounding brain/spinal cord tissues

Question 20

Venous angiomas

Answer 20

radially arranged configuration of medullary veins (“caput medusae”) separated by normal brain parenchyma

Question 21

Cerebrovascular malformation associated with “caput medusae”

Answer 21

venous angiomas

Question 22

What three techniques can manage AVM?

Answer 22

1. conventional surgery
2. endovascular embolization
3. radiosurgery

Question 23

What type of genetic disorders predisposes an individual to a cerebral aneurysm?

Answer 23

microdeletions

Question 24

What is the etiology of cerebral aneurysms?

Answer 24

idiopathic

result of HTN

Question 25

CVA vs. TIA

Answer 25

CVA: infarction of the tissue –> tissue death

IVA: ischemic stroke –>hypoxic state of the brain

Question 26

How does HTN affect the vessels of the brain?

Answer 26

• increased ICP

- weakens the vessels of the brain (increases chances of CVA/TIA, aneurysms, malformations)

Question 27

MC sites (4) for a hypertensive bleed in the brain

Answer 27

thalamus
basal ganglia
pons
cerebeullum