CNIM Pathology

Vocabulary flashcards covering neurosurgical procedures, spinal instrumentation, nerve classification injuries, and clinical diagnostic signs based on lecture notes.

Lateral spread response (LSR)

An abnormal muscle response occurring when an upper branch of the facial nerve (cranial nerve VII) is stimulated and a response is elicited from a lower branch of CN VII; monitored during microvascular decompression for hemifacial spasm.

Luque spinal instrumentation

Spinal instrumentation utilizing sublaminar wires with crosslinks.

Texas Scottish Rite Hospital instrumentation

Spinal instrumentation using hooks, screws, and crosslinks for spinal fusion.

Parotidectomy (nerve at risk)

Cranial nerve VII (facial nerve) is at risk during this surgical procedure.

Subdural electrodes are made of:

platinum

Hypocapnia

Deficient carbon dioxide in the blood.

What’s @ risk in ALIF?

iliac arteries are at risk

Temporal lobectomy

Removal of the anterior temporal lobe performed to relieve severe seizure disorder.

Hearing loss (microvascular decompression deficit)

The most common nerve deficit following microvascular decompression of the facial nerve for hemifacial spasm; cranial nerves VII and VIII have an emergence of $10\,\text{mm}$ from the brainstem.

Epidural spinal electrode placement requirement

The lamina must be removed before placing an epidural spinal electrode.

Astrocytomas (pediatric)

The most common etiology of intramedullary spinal cord tumors in children.

Vestibular schwannoma

A tumor typically located on the 8th cranial nerve between the internal auditory meatus and the brainstem.

Apraxia

A motor disorder due to damage in the brain resulting in trouble performing tasks such as walking or moving.

Friedreich's Ataxia

A disorder affecting sensory neurons of the spinal cord that causes impaired sensitivity and loss of vibration and proprioception sense, characterized by preserved sensation with corresponding SSEP abnormalities.

Myelotomy

A surgical procedure involving the spinal cord where the lamina is removed.

Posterior fossa craniotomy electrode adjustment

Adjustment requiring CS1 to be moved laterally.

Selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR)

A surgical procedure performed in patients with spastic cerebral palsy by severing posterior rootlets.

Neuroblastoma

An extremely rare cancer that develops in the adrenal glands above the kidneys before spreading; usually found in infancy.

Anastomosis

The surgical connection of two adjacent channels, such as two open ends of the intestine or blood vessels.

Neurotmesis

Partial or complete severance (cut) of both the axons and the sheath; represents the most severe form of nerve injury, but a clean cut can be immediately repaired and have fast recovery.

Neuropraxia

The LEAST severe nerve injury featuring a complete block of nerve transmission despite intact nerve fibers (axons and sheath are not cut), caused by sudden stretching, blunt injuries, or prolonged pressure, with spontaneous recovery within weeks.

Axonotmesis

A nerve injury where the nerve sheath remains intact but the axons are divided following traction or crush injury; can result in full motor function loss, and recovery takes several months to years.

Ataxia

Lack of voluntary coordination of muscle movements, characterized by gait abnormalities, speech changes, and abnormal eye movements.

Romberg test

A clinical examination where the patient stands and closes their eyes; it is considered positive if the patient sways.

Waveform response to hypothermia

At the onset of cold (hypothermia), the onset latency of waveforms increases ($\uparrow$).

Snellen chart

A clinical chart used to test for visual activity

Positive Babinski sign

Dorsiflexion of the toes (flexing the foot up) elicited upon stroking the sole of the foot with an instrument, indicating an upper motor neuron lesion.

Brown-Séquard syndrome

A neurological condition affecting the spinal cord

• contra: temp/pain

• Ipsi: motor

ISOLA

A spinal instrumentation system consisting of spinal hooks with rods.

Torticollis

A condition caused by a shortened sternocleidomastoid muscle that pulls and tilts the patient's head to one side.

Eloquent cortex mapping

Cortical mapping that requires AWAKE patients during the procedure.

Cotrel-Dubousset instrumentation

Spinal instrumentation used for derotation maneuvers.

Bell's palsy

Facial paralysis that can result from damage to the facial nerve (cranial nerve VII).