Neuropathology — Flashcards

Flashcard 11: How long after ischemic brain injury until glial scarring is evident?

Answer: >2 weeks

Flashcard 12: What are Charcot-Bouchard microaneurysms?

Answer: Small aneurysms in lenticulostriate arteries caused by chronic hypertension.

Extra: Charcot-Bouchard microaneurysms are associated with chronic hypertension and typically involve the small perforating arteries (e.g., lenticulostriate vessels). They are a common cause of intracerebral hemorrhage in the basal ganglia and thalamus. Distinct from Berry aneurysms (subarachnoid hemorrhage).

Flashcard 13: hydrocephalus ex vacuo

Answer: brain parenchyma atrophy; appearance of hydrocephalus is secondary

Extra: normal ICPenlarged ventricles, atrophied brain parenchyma

Flashcard 14: noncommunicating hydrocephalus

Answer: structural blockage of ventricular system

Extra: increased ICPunequal enlargement of ventricles; areas distal to blockage appear normal

Flashcard 15: What are the key clinical and pathological features of a Meningioma?

Answer: Most common benign brain tumor in adults, arising from arachnoid cells; characterized by whorled pattern and psammoma bodies.

Extra: • Location: Near surface of cerebral cortex, often near sagittal sinus (dural tail sign). • Microscopy: Spindle cells in whorled pattern; Psammoma bodies (laminated calcifications). • Symptoms: Seizures or asymptomatic; can be associated with NF2. • Treatment: Surgical resection.

Flashcard 16: What are the key characteristics and common location of a Schwannoma?

Answer: Benign tumor of Schwann cells (S-100+), typically involving CN VIII (vestibulocochlear nerve) at the cerebellopontine angle.

Extra: - Biphasic histology: Antoni A (dense, Verocay bodies) and Antoni B (loose, myxoid). - Associated with Neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) if bilateral. - Marker: S-100 (neural crest origin).

Flashcard 17: What are the characteristic clinical and histological features of Oligodendroglioma?

Answer: Frontal lobe tumor with 'fried-egg' appearance and 'chicken-wire' capillary pattern.

Extra: • Genotype: 1p/19q co-deletion (diagnostic). • Histology: Round nuclei with clear halos (fried-egg appearance) and calcification. • Mnemonic: ol-EGG-o-dendroglioma. • Typically occurs in adults.

Flashcard 18: Key features of Pilocytic Astrocytoma?

Answer: Well-circumscribed tumor in posterior fossa; GFAP+; Rosenthal fibers; benign, good prognosis (children).

Extra: Pilocytic Astrocytoma characteristics: - Most common primary brain tumor in children. - Location: Usually cerebellum (posterior fossa). - Histology: Biphasic pattern (densely packed fibers and loose microcystic areas), Rosenthal fibers (eosinophilic, corkscrew-shaped inclusions), and Granular bodies. - Markers: GFAP positive. - Prognosis: Generally excellent (WHO Grade I).

Flashcard 19: What are the characteristic location and histological findings of an Ependymoma?

Answer: Location: 4th ventricle (children), Spinal cord (adults) Histology: Perivascular pseudorosettes, Ependymal rosettes, Rod-shaped blepharoplasts (basal ciliary bodies) Clinical: Hydrocephalus due to obstruction.

Extra: Tumor of ependymal cells. Primarily seen in the 4th ventricle in children, causing obstructive hydrocephalus. Prognosis is generally poor for intracranial cases in children. NF2 is associated with spinal ependymomas.

Flashcard 20: What are the characteristic features of Hemangioblastoma?

Answer: Cerebellar tumor associated with VHL, high vascularity, and polycythemia.

Extra: - Key Features: Foamy stromal cells, high vascularity. - Clinical: Polycythemia (secondary to EPO production), cerebellar mass. - Association: Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) syndrome.