Neuropathology Flashcards
What is a coup injury and a contrecoup injury?
Coup injury –> occurs under the site of impact with an object
Contrecoup injury –> occurs on the side opposite the area that was hit
What is traumatic axonal injury (TAI)?
Trauma to axons due to rapid acceleration/deceleration
Diffuse axonal injury is worst type –> a major cause of unconsciousness and persistent vegetative state
What are the different type of intracranial haemorrhage?
Extra dural –> Arterial, sometimes no associated cerebral damage, lucid interval
Sub-dural –> ACUTE from damage to underlying brain or bridging veins…. Or CHRONIC from bridging veins
Subarachnoid –> Damage to vertebral arteries in neck, or shearing of intracranial arteries
Intracerebral –> Often from contusions, may occur hours or even a day or two after injury (delayed intracranial haemorrhage)
Lewy Bodies contain what?
Alpha synuclein
What is an ependymoma?
A tumour that arises from the ependyma, a tissue of the central nervous system.
Usually, in paediatric cases the location is intracranial, while in adults it is spinal. (4th ventricle)
What is a neurofibroma?
A type of nerve tumour that forms soft bumps on or under the skin.
Can develop within a major or minor nerve anywhere in the body.
Common type of benign nerve tumour.
What is neurofibromatosis type I (NF-1)?
A complex multi-system human disorder caused by the mutation of a gene on chromosome 17 that is responsible for production of a protein called neurofibromin which is needed for normal function in many human cell types.
Autosomal dominant
What is neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF-2)?
The main manifestation of the condition is the development of bilateral benign brain tumors in the nerve sheath of the cranial nerve VIII.
Mutations in the merlin gene on chromosome 22.
What is encephalomyelitis?
Inflammation of the brain and spinal cord, typically due to acute viral infection.
What causes subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE)?
Rare form of chronic progressive brain inflammation caused by measles virus.
