Space Occupying Lesions Flashcards
50% of primary intracranial tumors are what type?
gliomas
What is the most common solid tumors in children?
Brain tumors
What is the most common location for brain tumors in children?
the posterior fossa
Balint syndrome
failure to turn eyes to a particular point in space
Anton syndrome
denial of blindness and field defect
What is the most common primary intraocular malignancy of childhood?
Retinoblastoma
What reflex is absent in retinoblastoma?
No red reflex
Describe the primary intracranial tumor described below:
Cancer that begins in the retina
No red reflex
Leukocoria “white pupil”
Retinoblastoma
Describe the primary intracranial tumor described below:
Embryonal tumor of neural crest origin
Most common in the first years of life
Tumor usually in adrenal gland - Also frequent in thoracic and cervical sympathetic ganglia
70% secrete catecholamines
Neuroblastoma
Describe the primary intracranial tumor described below:
Midline cerebellar lesion causes gait/balance deficits
Highly malignant
Tends to metastasize throughout CNS
Likely to cause obstruction of 4th ventricle and cause non-communicating hydrocephalus and increased ICP due to location and rapid growth
Medulloblastoma
Describe the primary intracranial tumor described below:
Usually in the cortex and cerebellum
Causes fine motor deficits
Usually slow growing
Most common brain tumor in children
Astrocytoma
What is the most common brain tumor in children?
Astrocytoma
Metastatic Intracranial Tumors - most common primary tumor site is where?
the lungs
What is a common intracranial complication with AIDs patients?
Primary cerebral lymphoma
How is primary cerebral lymphoma treated?
whole-brain irradiation
Why is imaging not helpful in primary cerebral lymphoma (making diagnosis difficult)?
MRI/CT cannot distinguish between lymphoma and toxplasmosis
What are the three most common organism types in brain abscesses?
Streptococci
Staphylococci
anaerobes
What are some causes of brain abscesses?
Sequalae of ear or nose disease
Hematogenous spread of infection
Trauma/surgery – sinus surgery for example
What are some signs/symptoms of a brain abscess?
Fever
Malaise
Headache
Drowsiness
Inattention
Confusion
Seizures
Focal neurologic deficits
Increased ICP
If a patient has a brain abscess, should you obtain a lumbar puncture?
No - Lumbar puncture is contraindicated!!
Spinal Tumors:
What percentage is intra v extramedullary?
Intramedullary – 10%
Extramedullary – 90%
What is the most common intramedullary spinal tumor?
Ependymoma
What are the causes of dysfunction of spinal tumors?
Direct compression – can cause damage even if tumor is benign
Direct infiltration
Arterial/venous occlusion
Neurofibromatosis Types
Type 1 - Recklinghausen Disease; Multiple hyperpigmented macules and neurofibromatosis
Type 2 - 8th nerve tumors accompanied by other intracranial/intraspinal tumors
Neurofibromatosis Type I is also known as?
Recklinghausen Disease
What are the associated cutaneous lesions seen in neurofibromatosis Type 2?
Associated cutaneous lesion include axillary freckling and patches of cutaneous
pigmentation - called Café au lait spots
