Pathology V

Question 1

Where are pilocytic (low grade) astrocytomas usually found?

Answer 1

In the posterior fossa (e.g. cerebellum) and may be supratentorial. Tumors are usually well circumscribed and benign with good prognosis (p.448)

Question 2

What type of staining is characteristically positive in pilocytic astrocytomas?

Answer 2

GFAP positive (p.448)

Question 3

What characterizes histology of pilocytic astrocytoma tumors?

Answer 3

Rosenthal fibers- eosinophilic, corkscrew fibers. Cystic and solid on gross appearance (p.448)

Question 4

What are medulloblastomas?

Answer 4

Highly malignant cerebellar childhood tumors; a form of neuroectodermal tumor; radiosensitive (p.448)

Question 5

What complication are often associated with medulloblastomas?

Answer 5

Compression of the 4th ventricle causing hydrocephaulus; drop metastes in spinal cord (p.448)

Question 6

What characterizes histology of medulloblastomas?

Answer 6

Homer-Wright rosettes; solid (gross) small blue cells (histology) (p.448)

Question 7

Where are ependyomas most commonly found?

Answer 7

4th ventricle of children (p.448)

Question 8

From what type of cells are ependymomas typically derived?

Answer 8

Ependymal cells (p.448)

Question 9

What complications are associated with ependyomas?

Answer 9

May cause hydrocephalus (p.448)

Question 10

What is the prognosis for a patient with an ependymoma?

Answer 10

Poor prognosis (p.448)

Question 11

What characterizes histology of ependymoma?

Answer 11

Perivascular pseudorosettes. Rod-shaped blepharoplasts (basal ciliary bodies) found near nucleus (p.448)

Question 12

Where are hemangioblastomas most typically located?

Answer 12

Cerebellum (p.448)

Question 13

What condition is associated with hemangioblastoma?

Answer 13

von Hippel Lindau syndrome when found with retinal angiomas (p.448)

Question 14

What are hemangioblastomas characterized when they produce EPO?

Answer 14

Secondary polycythemia (p.448)

Question 15

What characterizes histology of hemangioblastoma?

Answer 15

Foamy cells and high vascularity (p.448)

Question 16

What is a craniopharyngioma?

Answer 16

A benign childhood tumor that is often confused with pituitary adenoma (p.448)

Question 17

Where are craniopharyngiomas most commonly located?

Answer 17

Most common childhood supratentorial tumors (p.448)

Question 18

What two types of tumors most commonly cause bitemporal hemianopia?

Answer 18

Pituitary adenomas (adults), craniopharyngiomas (children) (p.448)

Question 19

From where are craniopharyngiomas derived?

Answer 19

Remnants of Rathke’s pouch (p.448)

Question 20

What histologic findings are characteristic of craniopharyngiomas?

Answer 20

Calcification common (tooth enamel-like) (p.448)

Question 21

Name the four types of herniation syndromes.

Answer 21

Cingulate (subfalcine); Downward transtenorital (central); Uncal; Cerebellar tonsillar (p.448)

Question 22

Where does cingulate (subfalcine) herniation occur?

Answer 22

Under the falx cerebri (p.448)

Question 23

What structure may be compressed by cingulate (subfalcine) herniation?

Answer 23

Anterior cerebral artery (p.448)

Question 24

In what lobe is the uncus present?

Answer 24

Medial temporal lobe (p.448)

Question 25

Where does herniation of the cerebellar tonsils most commonly occur?

Answer 25

Into the foramen magnum (p.448)