Neurology: Space Occupying Lesions Flashcards
Where are the majority of adult brain tumours located?
Supratentorial (i.e. cerebrum)
Where are the majority of child brain tumours located?
Infratentorial (i.e. cerebellum)
Name some different types of brain tumours
1) Brain mets
2) Glioblastoma
3) Meningioma
4) Vestibular schwannoma
5) Pilocytic astrocytoma
6) Medulloblastoma
7) Ependymoma
8) Oligodendroma
9) Haemangioblastoma
10) Pituitary adenoma
11) Craniopharyngioma
What is the most common type of brain tumours?
Brain mets
What cancers most commonly spread to the brain?
1) lung (most common)
2) breast
3) bowel
4) skin (namely melanoma)
5) kidney
What is the most common cancer to spread to the brain?
Lung
What is the most common primary tumour in adults?
Glioblastoma
Give some clinical features of brain tumours
1) Headaches
2) Seizures
3) Cognitive changes: memory loss, confusion, difficulty concentrating
4) Motor deficits: weakness, paralysis, difficulty walking, coordination problems
5) Sensory deficits e.g. numbness, tingling, loss of sensation
6) Vision changes
7) Speech difficulties e.g. slurred, difficulty finding words, difficulty understanding language
8) Personality changes: irritability, mood swings, depression
Unusual changes in personality and behaviour would indicate a brain tumour in what location?
Frontal lobe (this lobe is responsible for personality and higher-level decision-making).
What are some causes of increased pressure in the intracranial space?
1) brain tumour
2) brain abscess or infection
3) intracranial haemorrhage
4) idiopathic intracranial hypertension
What are some common headache features that may indicate intracranial hypertension?
1) constant headache
2) worse when bending over, straining, coughing
3) worse on waking
4) nocturnal (occuring at night)
5) vomiting
6) papilloedema on fundoscopy
What are some other presenting features of raised intracranial hypertension?
1) altered mental state
2) visual field defects
3) seizures (particularly partial seizures)
4) unilateral ptosis (drooping upper eyelid)
5) 3rd and 6th nerve palsies
What is papilloedema?
Papilloedema describes swelling of the optic disc secondary to raised intracranial pressure seen on fundoscopy.
Papill- refers to a small, rounded, raised area (the optic disc) and -oedema refers to the swelling.
How can raised intracranial pressure cause papilloedema?
1) The sheath around the optic nerve is connected with the subarachnoid space.
2) The raised cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure flows into the optic nerve sheath, increasing the pressure around the optic nerve behind the optic disc causing the optic disc to bulge forward.
How can papilloedema be seen on fundoscopy?
1) Blurring of the optic disc margin
2) Elevated optic disc (look for the way the retinal vessels flow across the disc to see the elevation)
3) Loss of venous pulsation
4) Engorged retinal veins
5) Haemorrhages around the optic disc
6) Paton’s lines, which are creases or folds in the retina around the optic disc
How can looking at how the retinal vessels flow across the disc give indication as to whether there is papilloedema?
When looking for the optic disc’s elevation, look at how the retinal vessels cross disc. Vessels can travel straight across a flat surface, whereas they will curve over a raised disc.
What is a glioma?
A tumour of the glial cells in the brain or spinal cord.
What are glial cells?
What are 3 examples?
Glial cells surround and support the neurones.
- astrocytes
- oligodendrocytes
- ependymal cells
How are gliomas graded?
From 1 to 4.
Grade 1 is the most benign (possibly curable with surgery) and grade 4 is the most malignant (e.g., glioblastoma multiforme).
What are the three types of gliomas?
1) astrocytoma (the most common and aggressive form is glioblastoma)
2) oligodendroglioma
3) ependymoma
Prognosis of a glioblastoma?
around 1 year
How do glioblastomas appear on imaging?
They are solid tumours with central necrosis and a rim that enhances with contrast.
Disruption of the blood-brain barrier and therefore are associated with vasogenic oedema.
Histology of a glioblastoma?
Pleomorphic tumour cells border necrotic areas.
Treatment of glioblastma?
1) Surgical with post-op chemo
2) And/or radiotherapy
3) Dexamethasone (for oedema)
What is the 2nd most common 1ary brain tumour in adults?
Meningioma
What is a meningioma?
- Tumours growing from the cells of the meninges
- Usually benign.
- However, they take up space –> can lead to raised intracranial pressure and neurological symptoms
i.e. cause symptoms by compression rather than invasion
What do meningomas arise form?
Dura mater of the meninges
Where are meningiomas typically located?
- falx cerebri
- superior sagittal sinus
- convexity
- skull base
Histology of meningiomas?
Spindle cells in concentric whorls and calcified psammoma bodies
Management of meningioma?
Will involve either observation, radiotherapy or surgical resection.
What is a vestibular schwannoma (previously termed acoustic neuroma)?
A benign tumour arising from the Schwann cells that surround the 8th cranial nerve (vestibulocochlear nerve).
Is a vestibular schwannoma malignant or benign?
Benign
Where are vestibular schwannomas often seen?
Cerebellopontine angle
How does a vestibular schwannoma present?
- hearing loss
- facial nerve palsy (due to compression of the nearby facial nerve)
- tinnitis
What condition is associated with bilateral vestibular schwannomas?
Neurofibromatosis type 2
Histology of vestibular schwannomas?
- Antoni A or B patterns are seen.
- Verocay bodies (acellular areas surrounded by nuclear palisades).
Treatment of a vestibular schwannoma?
Treatment may involve observation, radiotherapy or surgery.