Pathology of Brain Tumours Flashcards
What are some of the causes of raised ICP?
Localised lesions- haemorrhage, tumour, abscess
Generalised pathology- oedema
How do space occupying lesions raise ICP?
The amount of tissue increases which knocks off the pressure balance of brain hence raising ICP
What does raised ICP causes the brain to do?
Internal shift between the intracranial spaces
What is meant by coning?
When the cerebellum move inferiorly into the foramen magnum
What is meant by uncal herniation?
Cerebrum moves inferiorly over edge of tentorium
If the tumour is on the right side, which side are other structures pushed to?
Left side
The swelling and shift of intracranial structures causes increased ICP. What else may happen as a result?
Localised ischaemia
What symptoms would be present if there was increased ICP squeezing on the cortex and brainstem?
Morning headache and sickness
Failing GCS
What symptoms would be present if there was increased ICP squeezing on the optic nerve?
Papilledema
In which investigation would papilledema be seen?
Fundoscopy
What symptoms would be present if there was increased ICP squeezing and stretching the oculomotor cranial nerve?
Pupillary dilation
What would happen if there was increased ICP squeezing the cerebellum downwards into the foramen magnum, crushing the brainstem?
Death
List some brain tumours of brain cells.
Gliomas- from glial cells e.g. glioblastoma, oligodendroglioma, ependymoma, astrocytoma
Embryonic neural cells- medulloblastoma
List some brain tumours from cells surrounding or originating outside the brain
Arachnoid cell- meningioma
Nerve sheath cell- schwannoma
Pituitary gland- adenoma
Lymphoid cell- lymphoma
Capillary vessel- hemangioblastoma
Which tumour is a childhood malignant tumour?
Medulloblastoma
->develops from embryonic neural cells
In terms of site, where do most CNS tumours form in adults?
Majority found above tentorium
In terms of site, where do most CNS tumours form in children?
Majority found below tentorium
Glioblastoma is a type of what?
A type of astrocytoma
Which type of astrocytoma is the most malignant?
Glioblastoma
Are meningiomas benign or malignant?
Benign
Which cells form meningiomas?
Arachnocytes
Which type of tumour is a schwannoma?
Nerve sheath tumour
Which tumour presents with unilateral deafness and is found at the angle between the pons and the cerebellum?
8th vestibulocochlear nerve schwannoma, often known as an acoustic neuroma
Is a pituitary adenoma benign or malignant?
Benign
What can a pituitary adenoma secrete?
A pituitary hormone
What other structure may a pituitary adenoma compress on?
Optic chiasm causing visual problems
Where is a hemangioblastoma most commonly seen?
Cerebellum
