Pathology - CNS Flashcards
Lipofuscin
Accumulation of complex lipids due to age in neurons cytoplasm and lysosomes
Gliosis and who does it?
Repair and scar formation in the CNS carried out by astrocytes
Ependyma cells
They line the ventricles
Choroid plexus
They produce CSF fluid
Cerebral edema
Excess fluid in brain parenchyma
Vasogenic edema
occurs when the BBB is disrupted so liquid goes from vascular part to extracellular parts
Cytotoxic edema
increase in intracellular fluid due to neuron or glial cell membrane damage:
Foramena Magendie and Luschka
Opening from the 4th ventricle to the subarachnoid
hydrocephalus
Accumulation of excess CSF within the ventricle system
non-communicating hydrocephalus
blockage in ventricular system flow by masses mainly in foramen Monroe or compressing the cerebral aqueduct
Communicating hydrocephalus
All the ventricles enlarged and caused by the reduced resorption
Hydrocephalus ex vacuo
Enlarged ventricles because of atrophy of brain parenchyme
Subfalcine herniation ( cingulate)
unilateral expansion of a cerebral hemisphere displaces the cingulate gyrus under the falx. This compresses the anterior cerebral artery
Transtentorial (uncinate) herniation
Medial aspect of temporal lobe is compressed against the tentorium. CN III is compressed. Posterior cerebral artery may be compressed also affecting the primary visual cortex
Kernohan’s notch
Compression of the peduncle against the tentorium causing hemiparesis ipsilateral to the side of herniation
Duret’s hemorrhages
Transtentorial (uncinate) herniation accompanied by linear or flame shaped hemorrhages in the midbrain or pons
Tonsillar herniation
displacement of the cerebral tonsils through the foramen magnum.
Which herniation is life threatening
Tonsillar herniation because it causes brain stem compression and compromises respiratory and cardiac centers in the medulla
Functional Ischemia
low partial pressure of oxygen e.g high altitude impairing oxygen carrying capacity
Ischemia
due to tissue hypoperfusion can be permanent or transient
Global Cerebral Ischemia
widespread ischemic hypoxia if pressure is below 50mmHg like in cardiac arrest, shock or hypotension
Most susceptible cells in the brain to hypoxia
Neurons
Most susceptible neurons
Pyramidal cells of hippocampus and neocortex and Purkinje cells of the cerebellum
Respirator brain
Irreversible brain damage thats now on mechanical ventilation and brainn undergoing autolysis
Histological changes in irreversible injury is in 3 categories
Early changes, Subacute changes and Repair
Early changes of irreversible injury
12-24hours. Red neurons, microvacuolization, cytoplasmic eosinophilia, nuclear pykosis and karyorrhexis. Also occurs in astrocytes and oligodendrocytes later
Subacute changes of irreversible injury
24hours-2weeks. Tissue necrosis, macrophages, vascular proliferation and reactive gliosis
Repair
> 2weeks. Removal of necrotic tisssue, loss of CNS structure, and gliosis
Border zone( Watershed infarcts)
wedge shaped areas that lie at the distal end of blood supply
What zone is at greatest risk for hypotensive episodes in the cerebral hemispheres
Zone between the anterior and middle cerebral artery
Focal Cerebral Ischemia
This is the first stage of cerebral artery occlusion.
Which structures have no collateral blood flow
thalamus, basal ganglia and deep white matter
Embolic or thrombosis infarction more common
Embolic
Factors for cardiac mural thrombi
MI, Valve disease, Atrial fibrillation
Most common cerebral artery affected by embolic infarction
middle cerebral artery
Superimposed thrombotic occlusions on atherosclerosis places in the cerebral
Carotid bifurcation, origin of middle cerebral artery and basilar artery
Non hemorrhagic infarcts
acute occlusion that can be treated with thrombolytic
Hemorrhagic infarcts
reperfusion of infarcted tissue producing petechial hemorrhages
Non contributors to the healing process of infarction
Pia and arachnoid
Most common cause of subarachnoid hemorrhage
Ruptured aneurysms from HTN
Sites of HTN intraparenchymal hemorrhages
Basal ganglia, thalamus, pons, cerebellum
Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy
amyloid peptides depositing in meningeals and cortical vessels. It stains with Congo Red. Weakens vessel to cause hemorrhages
Location of Cerebral amyloid angiopathy
CErebral cortex ( lobar hemorrhages)
Most common cause of non-traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage
saccular (berry) aneurysm
The worst headache I have ever felt and becomes unconscious
Subarachnoid hemorrhage
Location of most saccular aneurysms
Anterior circulation
Who had increased risks for aneurysms
ADPKD
What layers are present in aneurysm
Hyalinized intima
Most common location for a atherosclerotic aneurysms
basilar artery involvement
Vascular malformations
Arteriovenous malformations, Cavernous malformations, Capillary telangiectasia, Venous angiomas
Whats the most common vascular malformations
Arteriovenous malformation
Arteriovenous malformations presentation
10-30, seizures, intracranial or subarachnoid hemorrhage
What genetic defect is seen in most multiple Arteriovenous malformations
Herediatary hemorrhagic telangiectasia
Cavernous malformation occurences
Cerebellum, pons and subcortical regions
Capillary telangiectasis
Pons (no bleed)
Venous angiomas
venous channels
Lacunar infarcts
small infarcts due to occlusion of a single penetrating branch of a large cerebral artery occurring in the deep gray matter- basal ganglia, thalamus, internal capsule, deep white matter and pons
Acute HTN encephalopathy
when diastolic pressure is >130mmHg
Causes of Primary angiitis of the CNS
chronic inflammmation, giant cells and destruction of vessel walls
Coup injury
Injury occurring at the site of of head impact
Contrecoup injury
Injury to the opposite side of where the head was hit
Contusion
Rapid tissue displacement, disruption of vascular channels and then hemorrhage, tissue injury and edema
What brain part most susceptible to traumatic brain injury
Crest of gyri
Concussion
Reversible altered consciousness from head injury without contusion
Epidural Hematoma
Middle meningeal artery from skull fractures
Subdural Hematoma
Rapid movement of brain during trauma can tear the bridging veins spilling into the subdural space. Higher rates in older people because bridging veins strethced out and children because theirs is thin-walled
Most common site for a subdural hemorrhage
Lateral aspects of the cerebral hemisphere and can be bilateral
Most frequent type of CNS malformation
Neural tube defect at the posterior end, where spinal cord forms
Anencephaly
malformation of anterior end of neural tube, leads to absence of brain and top of skull
Encephalocele
Diverticulum of malformed CNS tissue extending through the cranium defect
Microencephaly more common than macro. Causes
fetal alcohol syndrome, HIV acquired in utero, chromosome issues
Lissencephaly ( agyria)
Absent gyration leading to smooth brain surface
Holoprosencephaly
disruption of normal midline dividing due to sonic hedgehog mutations
Arnold Chiari malformation Type II
small posterior fossa with mishapen midline cerebellum with vermis through foramen magnum, hydrocephalus and lumbar myelomeningocele