Brain Tumours Flashcards Preview

Neurology > Brain Tumours > Flashcards

Flashcards in Brain Tumours Deck (24)
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1
Q

What is the aetiology of brain tumours?

A
Genetic changes 
Hereditary 
Errors in foetal development 
Ionizing radiation 
Viruses 
Injury or immunosuppression 
Environmental hazards
2
Q

How are brain tumours graded?

A

Microscopic appearance and growth rate

GX-G4

3
Q

What are the general signs and symptoms of brain tumours?

A
Cerebral oedema 
Increased ICP 
Focal neurologic deficits
Obstruction of flow of CSF 
Pituitary dysfunction 
Papilloedema
4
Q

What are the signs and symptoms of cerebral brain tumours?

A
Headache 
Vomiting unrelated to food intake 
Changes in visual fields and acuity 
Hemiparesis or hemiplegia 
Hypokinesia 
Decreased tactile discrimination 
Seizures 
Changes in personality or behaviour
5
Q

What are the signs and symptoms of a brainstem tumour?

A
Hearing loss 
Facial pain and weakness 
Dysphasia, decreased gag reflex 
Nystagmus 
Hoarseness 
Ataxia and dysarthria
6
Q

What are the signs and symptoms of cerebellar tumours?

A

Disturbances in coordination and equilibrium

7
Q

What are the signs and symptoms of pituitary tumours?

A

Endocrine dysfunction
Visual deficits
Headache

8
Q

What are the clinical signs of a frontal lobe tumour?

A
Inappropriate behaviour and personality change 
Inability to concentrate 
Impaired judgement 
Memory loss 
Headache 
Expressive aphasia 
Motor dysfunctions
9
Q

What are the clinical signs of a parietal lobe tumour?

A

Sensory deficits- paresthesia, loss of 2 point discrimation, visual field deficits

10
Q

What are the clinical signs of a temporal lobe tumour?

A

Psychomotor seizures
Hallucinations
Visceral symptoms

11
Q

What are the clinical signs of an occipital lobe tumour?

A

Visual disturbances

12
Q

What are the common intra-axial tumours?

A
Gliomas (astrocytoma, anapaestic astrocytoma, glioblastoma multiforme) 
Oligodendroglioma 
Ependymomas 
Medulloblastoma 
CNS lymphoma
13
Q

Who are the common extra-axial tumours?

A
Meningioma 
Metastatic 
Acoustic neuromas (Schwannoma) 
Pituitary adenoma 
Neurofibroma
14
Q

What are the features of a CT of a meningioma?

A

Hypodense
Smooth or lobulated mass
Sometimes areas of calcification

15
Q

What are the features of an MRI of a meningioma?

A

Isodense with grey matter

16
Q

What are the features of a diffuse low grade astrocytoma on a CT?

A

Well circumscribed
Non-enhancing
Hypodense or isodense lesion

17
Q

What are the features of a high grade astrocytoma on CT?

A

Hypodense or isodense
Central area of necrosis surrounded by thick enhancing rim
Surrounding oedema

18
Q

What are the features of an oligodendroglioma on CT?

A

Well circumscribed, hypotenuse lesions with heavy calcifications
Cystic degeneration common

19
Q

What are common brain metastases?

A

Melanoma
Renal cell
Choriocarcinoma

20
Q

What are the diagnostic procedures for brain tumours?

A

Radiological imaging
Lumbar puncture/ CSF analysis
Pathology

21
Q

What imaging is used for brain tumours?

A

Skull x rays
CT
MRI

22
Q

What are the surgical options for brain tumours?

A
Resection 
Biopsy 
Craniotomy 
Sterotaxis surgery 
Transsphenoidal 
Endoscopic
23
Q

What are the post op complications?

A
Increased ICP 
Haematoma 
Hypovolaemic shock 
Hydrocephalus 
Wound infection 
Seizures 
CSF leak 
Oedema 
Meningitis 
Pulmonary oedema 
Atelectasis 
Fluid and electrolyte imbalance
24
Q

What are the other treatment options for brain tumours?

A

Radiation therapy

Chemotherapy