Exam 2: CNS Pt3 Flashcards
(137 cards)
What is the MC form of CNS malformations? What do they involve?
Neural Tube Defects; involve incomplete closure of neural tube during embryogenesis
What Neural Tube Defects have a wide range of clinical presentations that may involve abnormalities in what areas?
- spinal cord or brain
- meninges
- bones or spine of cranium
- tissues overlying spine or cranium
What is a well-known risk factor for Neural Tube Defects? Esp. during what time frame?
maternal folic acid (folate) deficiency; esp. during 1st tri of gestation
If a mother takes in adequate amounts of folic acid how much is the neural tube defect risk reduced by?
70%
What are the four Neural Tube Defects of our focus?
- Spina bifida occulta
- Myelomeningocele
- Encephalocele
- Anencephaly
What involves failure of the posterior segment of the vertebral bodies and is the mildest neural tube defect?
Spina bifida occulta
Where is spina bifida occulta most commonly discovered?
upper cervical spine (C1) or lumbosacral region of spine
may have normal skin or tuft of hair or may be ass. with cafe au lait spot or “dimpling”
What is a more severe form of neural tube defect that involves failed bone formation in posterior elements of lumbosacral spine along with extension of CNS tissue through the bony defect?
Myelomeningocele (sometimes called a “severe form of spina bifida”)
What will Myelomeningocele commonly cause?
- severe disability
- interfers with inds. lower extremity motor and sensory fxns
- bowel and bladder dysfunction
- overlying skin may be ulcerated and is prone to inf.
What is a neural tube defect that involves a diverticulum (blind-ended pouching) and where is this occur?
Encephalocele; usually occurs at midline of occipital region of skull
How does an Encephalocele manifest?
Depends:
- involve very little neurological involvement and be filled w/ fluid or fibrotic tissues
- involve larger amounts of brain tissues–> disability (quad or ataxia) or DEATH
- -craniofacial abnormalities
What is a severe neural tube defect involving failure of anterior end of CNS (telencephalon) to fully develop?
Anencephaly
- involves absent formation of forebrain and superior aspects of skull
What typically occurs with Anencephaly?
stillbirth; not compatible w/ post-natal life
–or are blind, deaf, and unable to feel pain, and unaware of surroundings
What is an “abnormal widening of the central canal of the spinal cord that creates a cavity” where CSF accumulates? Where does CSF come from?
Hydromyelia
- connected to 4th ventricle of brain
What may Hydromyelia cause?
damage to midbrain and cervical spine cord and/ or elevated nerve roots
What other malformation is Hydromyelia associated with?
infants who have a Type II Chiari Malformation (Arnold-Chiari) and communicating hydrocephalus
Smaller dilations ass. with Hydromyelia may be asymptomatic, but what may large dilations cause?
- neck or arm pain
- upper extremity weakness
- loss of sensations in hands or arms
What is a cyst (fluid-filled cavity) w/in the spinal cord and is most likely to develop in young adult males (~ age 30)?
Syringomyelia (“syrinx”)
Where are Syringomyelia most frequently discovered? How many on average does this affect?
cervical spine cord
~ 8 in 100,000
What are the cysts of Syringomyelia (“syrinx”) also associated with?
Type 1 Chiari malformations
and thought to be ass. with spinal trauma
What condition creates reduced pain and temperature sensation in a “shawl-like” distribution over one or both arms as well as ant. and post. upper thorax?
Syringomyelia (“syrinx”)
- due to disrupting spinothalamic fibers that mediate pain and temp sensation
How does one evaluate for Hydromyelia and Syringomyelia?
MRI
What are three Perinatal Brain injuries?
- Intraparenchymal Hemorrhage
- Infarct
- Cerebral Palsy
What puts one at risk for Intraparenchymal Hemorrhage and where does it occur and what does it possibly cause?
prematurity*
- deep (near ventricles) and may cause hydrocephalus