Vasculopathy
Vasculopathy Main Text Preamble The generic term “vasculopathy” literally means blood vessel pathology—of any kind, in any vessel (artery, capillary, or vein). Evaluating the craniocervical vessels for vasculopathy is one…
Acquired Metabolic and Systemic Disorders
Acquired Metabolic and Systemic Disorders Main Text Preamble In this chapter, we focus on acquired metabolic and systemic disorders that involve the CNS. We begin with the most common—hypertension—before turning…
Glioneuronal and Neuronal Tumors
Glioneuronal and Neuronal Tumors Main Text Preamble The 5th edition WHO classification of CNS neoplasms groups gliomas, glioneuronal tumors, and neuronal tumors together. Gliomas are—by far—the largest group of neoplasms…
Subarachnoid Hemorrhage and Aneurysms
Subarachnoid Hemorrhage and Aneurysms Main Text Preamble Trauma is, by far, the most common cause of intracranial subarachnoid hemorrhage. Traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage occurs when blood from contused brain or lacerated…
Meningiomas and Melanocytic Lesions
Meningiomas and Melanocytic Lesions Main Text Preamble Meningiomas are the most common of all brain tumors, accounting for > 1/3 of all primary intracranial neoplasms and nearly 40% of nonmalignant…
Sellar Region Tumors and Tumor-Like Conditions
Sellar Region Tumors and Tumor-Like Conditions Main Text Preamble The sellar region is one of the most anatomically complex areas in the brain. It encompasses the bony sella turcica and…
Hydrocephalus and CSF Disorders
Hydrocephalus and CSF Disorders Main Text Preamble The brain CSF spaces include the ventricular system—a series of interconnected, CSF-filled cavities—and the subarachnoid space. This chapter begins with a brief discussion…
Inherited Metabolic Disorders
Inherited Metabolic Disorders Main Text Preamble Inherited metabolic disorders—a.k.a. inborn errors of metabolism—represent conditions in which a genetic defect leads to a deficiency of a protein (e.g., enzyme or nonenzyme…
Demyelinating and Inflammatory Diseases
Demyelinating and Inflammatory Diseases Main Text Preamble Once considered an “immune-privileged” site sequestered beyond the blood-brain barrier, we now know there is active and continuous immunologic surveillance in the CNS….
Toxic Encephalopathy
Toxic Encephalopathy Main Text Preamble The list of toxins and poisons that affect the CNS is long and continues to grow. Some agents are deliberately injected, inhaled, or ingested, whereas…
