Chapter 10: Nervous System Disorder and Lab Tests

Hydrocephalus

- Abnormal accumulation of fluid (CSF) in the brain

- Congenital

A catheter can be used to relieve pressure

Spina Bifida

- Congenital defects in the lumbar spinal column caused by imperfect union of vertebral parts (neural tube defect)

Spina Bifida Occulta

- most common and least severe form of spina bifida

- the vertebral defect is covered over with skin and evident only on x-ray or other imaging examination.

Spina Bifida Cystica

more severe type of spina bifida that involves protrusion of the meninges, spinal cord, or both

Alzheimer disease (AD) (Alzheimer's)

- Brain disorder marked by gradual and progressive mental deterioration (dementia), personality changes, and impairment of daily functioning

- Symptoms: confusion, memory failure, disorientation, restlessness, and speech disturbances. Anxiety, depression, and emotional disturbances can occur as well.

amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)

- degenerative disorder of motor neurons in the spinal cord and brainstem

- Signs and symptoms are weakness and atrophy of muscles in the hands, forearms, and legs; difficulty in swallowing and talking and dyspnea

- Cause and cure are unknown

Epilepsy

- Chronic brain disorder characterized by recurrent seizure activity

Huntington disease (Huntington's)

- Hereditary disorder marked by degenerative changes in the cerebrum leading to abrupt involuntary movements and mental deterioration

- Symptoms: personality changes, along with choreic (meaning dance-like) movements (uncontrollable, irregular jerking movements of the arms and legs and facial grimacing)

- No cure

Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

- destruction of the myelin sheath on neurons in the CNS and its replacement by plaques of sclerotic (hard) tissue

myasthenia gravis (MG)

- autoimmune neuromuscular disorder characterized by weakness of voluntary muscles

- Immunosuppressive therapy, medication, and thymectomy can be used as treatment

palsy

paralysis (partial or complete loss of motor function)

Cerebral Palsy

- partial paralysis and lack of muscular coordination caused by loss of oxygen (hypoxia) or blood flow to the cerebrum during pregnancy or in the perinatal period

Bells Palsy

- paralysis on one side of the face

Parkinson disease

- degeneration of neurons in the basal ganglia, occurring in later life and leading to tremors, weakness of muscles, and slowness of movement

Tourette syndrome

- involuntary, spasmodic, twitching movements; uncontrollable vocal sounds; and inappropriate words

Herpes Zoster (shingles)

- viral infection affecting peripheral nerves

- Blisters and pain spread along peripheral nerves

Meningitis

- inflammation of the meninges

- can be caused by bacteria (pyogenic meningitis) or viruses (aseptic or viral meningitis)

- Signs: fever and signs of meningeal irritation, such as headache, photophobia (sensitivity to light), and a stiff neck

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) encephalopathy

- brain disease and dementia occurring with AIDS

Brain Tumor

- abnormal growth of brain tissue and meninges

Cerebral Concussion

- Type of traumatic brain injury caused by a blow to the head

Cerebral Contusion

- Bruising of the brain tissue resulting from direct trauma to the head

cerebrovascular accident (CVA)

- Disruption in the normal blood supply to the brain; stroke.

Thrombotic strike

- blood clot (thrombus) forms in one of the arteries of the brain

Embolic stroke

- an embolus travels to cerebral arteries and occludes a vessel

Hemorragic Stroke

- a cerebral artery breaks and bleeding occurs.

Migrane

- Severe, recurring, unilateral, vascular headache

Cerebrospinal Fluid Analysis

- samples of CSF are examined

- Measures protein, glucose, and red and white blood cells as well as other chemical contents of the CSF

- Can detect tumor cells (by cytology), bacteria, and viruses. These studies are used to diagnose infection, tumors, or multiple sclerosis

Cerebral Angiogrpahy

- X-ray imaging of the arterial blood vessels in the brain after injection of contrast material.

computed tomography (CT) of the brain

- Computerized x-ray technique that generates multiple images of the brain and spinal cord

positron emission tomography (PET) scan

- Radioactive glucose is injected and then detected in the brain to image the metabolic activity of cells.

Doppler Ultrasound studies

- Sound waves detect blood flow in the carotid and intracranial arteries.

Electroencephalography (EEG)

- Recording of the electrical activity of the brain.

Lumbar puncture (LP)

- CSF is withdrawn from between two lumbar vertebrae for analysis

stereotactic radiosurgery

- Use of a specialized instrument to locate and treat targets in the brain.