7 topics with concise reviews: definitions, key facts, and class questions.
The nervous system is an extremely vulnerable tissue, and its structural changes determine the outcome of many critical conditions. This chapter compiles the morphological basis of brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerve lesions.
The material covers the entire spectrum of neuropathology. We will begin with basic general pathological processes in neural tissue, followed by a detailed analysis of cerebrovascular diseases, CNS infections (meningitis and encephalitis), demyelinating (multiple sclerosis), and neurodegenerative pathologies (Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases). The section concludes with the classification of CNS tumors and diseases of the peripheral nervous system.
What is most frequently asked in class? Pay special attention to cerebrovascular diseases: you will be expected to have a clear understanding of the differences between ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke at the macro and micro levels. Other favorite topics of examiners include the staging of inflammation in purulent meningitis, histological markers of meningiomas and gliomas, and plaques in multiple sclerosis. This is the absolute foundation required to understand the clinical aspects of neurological diseases.
These are shrunken neurons with an intensely eosinophilic (bright pink) cytoplasm and a shrunken nucleus, which appear 12 hours after the onset of ischemia.
What is the microscopic difference between brain swelling and brain edema?
Macroscopically they are indistinguishable. However, microscopically during liquefaction (pronounced edema) the nervous tissue becomes porous, myelin fibers are completely destroyed, and serous fluid accumulates abundantly around cells and vessels.
What is the difference between meningitis and encephalitis?
Meningitis is inflammation of the meninges alone. Encephalitis is damage to the brain parenchyma itself. When both are inflamed, the diagnosis is "meningoencephalitis".
What is the difference between leptomeningitis and pachymeningitis?
Leptomeningitis is inflammation of the pia and arachnoid mater (the most common variant), whereas pachymeningitis is inflammation of the dura mater.
What is the main morphological difference between prion diseases and viral encephalitis?
In viral encephalitis, an inflammatory response is always present (lymphoid infiltration, microglial nodules). Prion diseases present exclusively with a pattern of degeneration (spongiform change, gliosis) without signs of inflammation.
Which nervous system syndrome most frequently accompanies small-cell lung cancer?
Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome, which is characterized by lower limb muscle weakness.
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