Pathology of Intracranial Tumours

Question 1

What are some causes of raised ICP?

Answer 1

Haemorrhage
Tumour
Abscess
Oedema - post trauma

Question 2

What is subfalcine herniation?

Answer 2

Herniation of the falx cerebri

Question 3

What is cerebella tonsillar herniation?

Answer 3

Tonsils of the cerebellum are moved inwards and downwards and crush the brainstem

Question 4

How can tumours cause localised ischaemia?

Answer 4

Tumours can squeeze nearby tissue and cause local ischaemia

Question 5

What is a sign and a symptoms of a tumour pressing on the cortex and brainstem?

Answer 5

Morning headaches and sickness

Question 6

What is a sign and symptoms of a tumour pressing on the optic nerve?

Answer 6

Papilloedema

Question 7

What are the consequences of increased ICP?

Answer 7

Pupillary dilation
Falling GSC
Brain stem death

Question 8

Where does the cerebellum move in raised ICP?

Answer 8

Squeezes the cerebellum downwards and into the foramen magnum crushing the brainstem

Question 9

In relation to the tentorium where are the majority of adult tumours?

Answer 9

Above the tentorium

Question 10

In relation to the tentorium where are the majority of chil tumours?

Answer 10

Below the tenotrium

Question 11

What is a glioma?

Answer 11

Cancer of the glial cells

Question 12

Do gliomas metastasise out of the CNS?

Answer 12

No

Question 13

What is an astrocytoma?

Answer 13

Glioma of astrocytes

Question 14

What is an oligodendroglioma?

Answer 14

Glioma of oligodendrocytes

Question 15

What is an ependymoma?

Answer 15

Glioma of ependymal cells

Question 16

What shape is an astrocyte?

Answer 16

Star

Question 17

What are the 2 extremes of astrocytoma?

Answer 17

Low grade astrocytoma

Glioblastoma

Question 18

Describe low grade astrocytoma pathology?

Answer 18

Bland cells on microscopy

Grows very slowly

Question 19

What is the most malignant type of astrocytoma?

Answer 19

Glioblastoma

Question 20

Describe the pathology of glioblastoma

Answer 20

Large tumour with necrosis
Cellular, atypical tumour with necrosis
Grow quickly

Question 21

What is a medulloblastoma?

Answer 21

Paediatric tumour of primitive neuroectoderm (primitive neural cells)

Question 22

What is the neuroectoderm?

Answer 22

Primitive neural cells

Question 23

Where do medulloblastoma originate?

Answer 23

Posterior fossa

Particularly in the brainstem

Question 24

What is a meningioma?

Answer 24

Tumour of the cells that make up the meninges

From arachnocytes

Question 25

Are meningioma usually malignant?

Answer 25

No usually benign

Question 26

Are meningioma fast or slow growing?

Answer 26

Slow

Question 27

Are meningiomas usually resectable?

Answer 27

Yes

Question 28

What are nerve sheath tumours?

Answer 28

Tumours around peripheral nerves

Question 29

What is a schwannoma?

Answer 29

Tumur of scwann cells

Question 30

What do schwann cells in the PNS?

Answer 30

Myelin sheath

Question 31

What is an Acoustic neuroma?

Answer 31

8th vestibulochoclear nerve schwannoma at angle between pons and medulla

Question 32

Where does CN VIII originate from?

Answer 32

Pontomedullar junction

Question 33

What is the main symptoms of a acoustic neuroma?

Answer 33

Unilateral deafness

Question 34

What is a pituitary adenoma?

Answer 34

Benign tumour in the pituitary fossa

Question 35

What do pituitary adenomas usually secrete?

Answer 35

A pituitary hormone

Question 36

Where can pituitary adenomas grown and impinge?

Answer 36

On optic chiasma

Question 37

If someone has visual signs where could the tumour have originated and be pressing on?

Answer 37

Pituitary adenoma pressing on the optic chiasma

Question 38

What is a CNS lymphoma?

Answer 38

high grade neoplasm | Usually diffuse large B cell lymphoma

Question 39

Why are CNS lymphoma difficult to biopsy?

Answer 39

Because they are often deep and of central site in the brain

Question 40

Do CNS lymphoma usually spread outside the CNS?

Answer 40

No

Question 41

What are haemangioblastomas?

Answer 41

Tumours of blood vessels

Question 42

Where are haemangioblastomas usually located?

Answer 42

In the cerebellum

Question 43

What is the most common secondary tumour?

Answer 43

Carcinoma

Question 44

What is the histology of secondary brain tumours?

Answer 44

Similar to that of the primary tumour