Neoplasms in the region of the pituitary fossa
44 Neoplasms in the region of the pituitary fossa Neoplasms in the region of the pituitary fossa may arise in the pituitary gland itself, the sphenoid bone that surrounds the…
Systemic metabolic diseases
22 Systemic metabolic diseases INTRODUCTION Normal neuronal metabolism depends on systemic homeostasis of a range of metabolites, including glucose, electrolytes, amino acids, and ammonia. The term ‘metabolic encephalopathy’ describes the…
Prion diseases
32 Prion diseases The designation of prion diseases as a distinct nosologic category is based on the elucidation of a novel molecular pathology that is common to several disorders previously…
Acute bacterial infections and bacterial abscesses
15 Acute bacterial infections and bacterial abscesses ACUTE BACTERIAL MENINGITIS NEONATAL BACTERIAL MENINGITIS MACROSCOPIC APPEARANCES The brain is swollen and congested. Hemorrhagic infarcts are common and may be extensive (Fig. 15.1),…
Thalamic and pallidal degenerations, neuroaxonal dystrophy, and autonomic failure
33 Thalamic and pallidal degenerations, neuroaxonal dystrophy, and autonomic failure THALAMIC DEGENERATIONS Thalamic degeneration is a feature of several multisystem neurodegenerative disorders (Table 33.1), but can also rarely occur in…
Non-astrocytic gliomas
36 Non-astrocytic gliomas The following glial neoplasms are considered in this chapter: oligodendrogliomas, ependymomas, and mixed gliomas. OLIGODENDROGLIOMAS Oligodendrogliomas usually present in adulthood. They show a broad range of behaviors;…
Embryonal neuroepithelial neoplasms of the CNS
38 Embryonal neuroepithelial neoplasms of the CNS EMBRYONAL NEUROEPITHELIAL NEOPLASMS Embryonal (primitive) neuroepithelial neoplasms make up approximately 5% of CNS neoplasms. Their features include: a predominance in children a tendency…
Miscellaneous pediatric disorders
7 Miscellaneous pediatric disorders VASCULAR DISEASES Central nervous system vascular pathology is uncommon in children, but there are rare forms of vasculopathy unique to this age group, as well as…
Pathologic reactions in the CNS
1 Pathologic reactions in the CNS PATHOLOGIC RESPONSES IN NEURONS NORMAL NEURONAL CYTOLOGY AND STAINING The cytologic appearance of neurons varies depending upon their location. In general, neurons have moderate to…
Multiple sclerosis
19 Multiple sclerosis Demyelination is characterized by destruction of normal myelin with relative preservation of axons. By convention, the term demyelination excludes disorders in which there is a failure to…
