Pathology of Brain Tumours

Question 1

What are some of the causes of raised ICP?

Answer 1

Localised lesions- haemorrhage, tumour, abscess
Generalised pathology- oedema

Question 2

How do space occupying lesions raise ICP?

Answer 2

The amount of tissue increases which knocks off the pressure balance of brain hence raising ICP

Question 3

What does raised ICP causes the brain to do?

Answer 3

Internal shift between the intracranial spaces

Question 4

What is meant by coning?

Answer 4

When the cerebellum move inferiorly into the foramen magnum

Question 5

What is meant by uncal herniation?

Answer 5

Cerebrum moves inferiorly over edge of tentorium

Question 6

If the tumour is on the right side, which side are other structures pushed to?

Answer 6

Left side

Question 7

The swelling and shift of intracranial structures causes increased ICP. What else may happen as a result?

Answer 7

Localised ischaemia

Question 8

What symptoms would be present if there was increased ICP squeezing on the cortex and brainstem?

Answer 8

Morning headache and sickness
Failing GCS

Question 9

What symptoms would be present if there was increased ICP squeezing on the optic nerve?

Answer 9

Papilledema

Question 10

In which investigation would papilledema be seen?

Answer 10

Fundoscopy

Question 11

What symptoms would be present if there was increased ICP squeezing and stretching the oculomotor cranial nerve?

Answer 11

Pupillary dilation

Question 12

What would happen if there was increased ICP squeezing the cerebellum downwards into the foramen magnum, crushing the brainstem?

Answer 12

Death

Question 13

List some brain tumours of brain cells.

Answer 13

Gliomas- from glial cells e.g. glioblastoma, oligodendroglioma, ependymoma, astrocytoma
Embryonic neural cells- medulloblastoma

Question 14

List some brain tumours from cells surrounding or originating outside the brain

Answer 14

Arachnoid cell- meningioma
Nerve sheath cell- schwannoma
Pituitary gland- adenoma
Lymphoid cell- lymphoma
Capillary vessel- hemangioblastoma

Question 15

Which tumour is a childhood malignant tumour?

Answer 15

Medulloblastoma

->develops from embryonic neural cells

Question 16

In terms of site, where do most CNS tumours form in adults?

Answer 16

Majority found above tentorium

Question 17

In terms of site, where do most CNS tumours form in children?

Answer 17

Majority found below tentorium

Question 18

Glioblastoma is a type of what?

Answer 18

A type of astrocytoma

Question 19

Which type of astrocytoma is the most malignant?

Answer 19

Glioblastoma

Question 20

Are meningiomas benign or malignant?

Answer 20

Benign

Question 21

Which cells form meningiomas?

Answer 21

Arachnocytes

Question 22

Which type of tumour is a schwannoma?

Answer 22

Nerve sheath tumour

Question 23

Which tumour presents with unilateral deafness and is found at the angle between the pons and the cerebellum?

Answer 23

8th vestibulocochlear nerve schwannoma, often known as an acoustic neuroma

Question 24

Is a pituitary adenoma benign or malignant?

Answer 24

Benign

Question 25

What can a pituitary adenoma secrete?

Answer 25

A pituitary hormone

Question 26

What other structure may a pituitary adenoma compress on?

Answer 26

Optic chiasm causing visual problems

Question 27

Where is a hemangioblastoma most commonly seen?

Answer 27

Cerebellum