NEUROLOGY 2 Flashcards
(211 cards)
Why are brain tumours not benign or malignant?
Even benign tumours if they continue to grow can cause adverse effects of any space occupying lesion
What are high and low grade tumours?
High - rapid growing, aggressive
Low - slow growing but may/may not be able to be treated
Main causes of space occupying lesions? (6)
Tumour - primary or metastatic Aneurysm Abscess Chronic subdural haematoma Granuloma Cyst
Main types of primary brain tumours? (5)
Gliomas - Astrocytoma, Ependymoma, Oligodendroglioma, Glioblastoma multiforme
Meningioma
Signs of increased ICP? (6)
Headache worse on waking, lying down, coughing Vomiting Papilloedema Decreased GCS Seizures Focal neurology
What 3 primaries do brain metastases usually come from?
Breast
Lung
Melanoma
Tests for SOLs?
CT/MRI
Possible biopsy
Avoid LP until diagnosed as coning risk
Management of brain tumours? (6)
If benign remove if accessible
If malignant accessible - excise, chemo-radiotherapy
If inaccessible - chemo-radiotherapy
If hydrocephalus/oedema - ventriculo-peritoneal shunt, dexamethasone/mannitol
Anticonvulsants
Temozolomide for glioblastomas
How do SOLs exert their effects? (3)
1) Direct mass effect - local function impaired; symptoms depend on site; 2) Secondary effects - raised ICP/shift of intracranial structures; 3) Provoke focal > generalized seizures
What are astrocytomas?
Tumours of astrocytes - support cells, blood brain barrier cells
Low grade - pilocytic
High grade - glioblastoma multiforme
What are oligodendrogliomas?
Tumours of oligodendrocytes - myelin producing cells
Slow growing
What are meningiomas?
Tumours of arachnoid mater, slow growing
Penetrate venous sinuses
What is MND?
Motor neurone disease
Cluster of degenerative diseases characterised by selective loss of neurons in the motor cortex, cranial nerve nuclei and anterior horn cells
How to distinguish MND from MS, MG?
MND has no sensory loss or sphincter disturbance unlike MS
MND never affects eye movements unlike MG
What are the types of MND?
ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis)
Progressive bulbar palsy
Progressive muscular atrophy
Primary lateral sclerosis
What is ALS?
50% of MND
Loss of motor neurons in motor cortex and anterior horn of the cord
Weakness and upper motor neuron signs
Lower motor neuron wasting/fasciculation
What is progressive bulbar palsy?
Only affects cranial nerves 9-12
LMN lesion of tongue - flaccid, fasciculating
Quiet/hoarse speech
What is progressive muscular atrophy?
Anterior horn cell lesion only, no UMN signs
Affects distal muscles then proximal
What is primary lateral sclerosis?
Loss of Betz cells in motor cortex
Mainly UMN signs
Marked spastic leg weakness
Pseudobulbar palsy - UMN lesion of swallowing/talking muscles
Classic presentation of MND?
>40 years old spastic gait Foot drop, proximal myopathy Weak grip Shoulder abduction Aspiration pneumonia
What are some UMN signs?
Spasticity
Brisk reflexes
Upgoing plantas
What are some LMN signs?
Wasting
Fasciculation
Weakness i.e. of swallowing
Diagnosis of MND?
Clinical
Brain/cord MRI to exclude structural causes
LP to exclude inflammatory causes
Prognosis of MND?
Fatal within 2-4 years