Neurosurgery Test (2) on 11/1 Flashcards
what diagnostic test can be done for a neuro patient
ct scan
x-ray
mri
What is a PET scan
positron emission topography
noninvasive nuclear imaging
IV radioactive glucose: radiotracers
what does the PEt scan evaluate
how organs and tissues function
physiological processes and rate of metabolism
“hot spots” higher activity (red)
“cold spots” lower activity (dark)
what does a PET scan dx
brain abnormalities
tumors
memory disorders
seizures
what is an encephalography
ultrasound image of the brain
quick but basic
swelling
hemorrhage
abscesses
what is an EEG
electroencephalogram
reads electrical impulses
test for epilepsy
sleep disorder
brain injuries
brain death in coma patient
what is a cerebral angiography
iv radiopaque dye imaging blood supply
percutaneous IV catheter into carotid (often groin)
what is a digitalized cerebral angiography?
angiogram read by computer- creates a precise image of vessel anatomy
removes bone and brain images
what is a myelogram?
x-ray to diagnose compressed spinal cord/ herniated disc
inject contrast media into subarachnoid space
what is a lumbar puncture
hypodermic needle inserted into subarachnoid space (L3-L5)
what are reasons for doing a lumbar puncture
-examine CSF for:
blood, infection, and cancer cells
inject medicine:
-contrast media and anesthetics
-reduce pressure
what is SSEP monitoring
somatosensory evoked potentials
-nerve monitoring
during spinal surgeries and tumor excisions
what are three brain traumas
brain bleed
fractures
paralysis
what are brain bleeds of the brain
epi/subdural hematomas
creates pressure that can lead to death
what kind of traumatic fractures can happen to the brain
cranial
spinal
what types of paralysis can happen to the brain due to trauma
-paraplegia- damage thoracic spinal cord- loss of function in lower limbs, bladder, and bowel
-quadriplegia- damage above C5- loss of function in all 4 limbs, bladder, and bowel
what is Tic Douloureux
trigeminal neuralgia
nerve disease
severe facial pain
nerve 5
cause could be trauma, stroke, pinched nerve, or UK
what is shingles
nerve disease
herpes zoster virus (chicken pox)
painful rash
complications: vision loss or neuralgia
what is encephalitis
CNS infection
inflammation of the brain
autoimmune disease
what is a brain abcess
CNS infection
increased ICP
what is subdural empyema
CNS infection
infectious mass between brain/spine and dura
-2ndary to trauma, meningitis, or surgical contamination
what is Alzheimer’s
neurodegenerative disease/ fatal
memory loss, reasoning, behavior issues
what is Parkinson’s
brain disorder, tremors, movement difficulty
affected basal ganglia
what is post-poliomyelitis syndrome
lasting paralysis after poli infection
destruction of somatic motor neurons
what is prions disease
Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease CJD
what is Huntington’s disease
genetic disorder
progressive degeneration of brain
uncontrollable or loss of movement
what are demyelinating disorders
destruction of myelin sheaths
gradual loss of sensation or motor function
what is multiple sclerosis
demyelinating disorder
affects speech, balance, motor skills
30–40-year-old onset
no cure
what is Guillain-Barre syndrome
demyelinating disorder
progressive but reversible
weakness in legs- spread to trunk and arms
what happens with heavy metal poisoning
demyelinating disorder
from arsenic, lead, mercury
what is cerebral palsy
abnormal brain development
seizure disorders
may begin in utero or infancy
what is epilepsy?
seizure disorder
cause not always identified
medication or surgery
what is hydrocephalus
abundant CSF fluid- high pressure in cranium
occurs at birth
can occur in adults from trauma or disease
what is Chiari malformation
herniation of cerebellum through foramen magnum
tx remove portions of occipital bone
what is craniosynostosis
premature closure of cranial suture
should remain open until age 2
brain damage or misshaped head
what is spina bifida
embryonic sac that develops in spinal cord
Neural tube defect
What are the types of Spina Bifida?
spins bifida occulta (spine not fused properly)
meningocele- (herniation of meninges)
myelomeningocele (herniation of meninges and spinal cord)
what is encephalocele
neural tube defect
brain and meninges herniate through opening in the skull
what is scoliosis
lateral curve of the spine
what is Kyphosis
“hunchback”
exaggerated curvature of “thoracic” spine
what is Lordosis
abnormal upright posture, swayback
exaggerated curvature of the “lumbar” spine
