A forum dedicated to the expansion in neuropathology knowledge for students and practitioners alike.
Part one of a multi-part series dedicated to Multiple Sclerosis: Pathogenesis. https://youtu.be/iwZ_UmOprN4 For further study on this topic and others related to neuropathology and neuroanatomy, the following books come highly recommended, and a small portion of the proceeds (or any Amazon purchase through these links) help with expenses of hosting this site: ... Continue Reading →
Located between the bony vertebrae of the spinal column, the vertebral disks act as cushions and shock absorbers to allow for freedom of movement of the spine. Activities that increase pressure in the lower back, such as repeatedly lifting heavy objects while bending at the waist, may cause the inner gel-like substance (called the center nucleus) of a... Continue Reading →
Like the brain, the optic nerve is surrounded by meningeal coverings (called the pia, arachnoid and dura) that can infrequently give rise to a meningioma. Although often histologically benign, intraorbital meningiomas can cause significant morbidity and blindness due to optic nerve compression. Surgical removal can be curative, as was the case for this patient, whose tumor exhibited the typical... Continue Reading →
Peripheral nerve fibers are sheathed by Schwann cells, which occasionally give rise to a Schwannoma (also termed neurilemoma), a circumscribed tumor that typically occurs along the peripheral aspect of a nerve. Unlike neurofibromas, schwannomas often can be excised without sacrificing the parent nerve, leaving the patient functionally intact. Depending on the degree of microscopic microcystic changes, schwannomas can have a soft... Continue Reading →
The normal histology of the brain has a wide variety of cytomorphologic appearances that give rise to a remarkable diversity of brain tumors. This video reviews normal cell types of the brain and the tumors to which they give rise. https://youtu.be/EpqxhOT9jdE For further study on this topic and others related to neuropathology and neuroanatomy, the following books come... Continue Reading →
Ependymal tumors are the third most common primary spinal tumor in adults, after meningiomas and peripheral nerve sheath tumors. WHO (World Health Organization) Grade II spinal ependymomas, like the one depicted on this sagittal MRI of the cervical spine, have a typical radiographical appearance featuring an intramedullary oval-shaped mass with contrast enhancement. Ependymomas are often... Continue Reading →
Infection of the brain by fungal organisms, termed fungal encephalitis, is an uncommon, but deadly disease that tends to occur in persons with compromised immune systems or, as in this case, uncontrolled diabetes. Zygomycetes, a group of fungal organisms that includes Mucor and Rhizopus, has a particular proclivity to invade blood vessels (pictured here), which can... Continue Reading →
Arteriovenous malformation, or AVM, is a collection of abnormal vessels that lack an intervening capillary bed and are separated by gliotic brain tissue. Some vessels have thick walls with elastic laminae typical of arteries, while others have thin collagenous walls typical of veins. In addition, "arterialization of a vein" can also be seen in which... Continue Reading →
Meningiomas, like the one pictured here, typically show whorling architectural pattern and nuclear pseduoinclusions. The vast majority of meningiomas are low grade (WHO Grade 1) dura-based tumors with good prognosis following complete resection. However, recent studies have suggested that endothelial cell hypertrophy and/or microvascular proliferation in an otherwise typical meningioma are correlated with shorter progression free... Continue Reading →
Pilocytic Astrocytoma (PA) characteristically exhibits biphasic morphology featuring densely fibrillar, compact regions alternating with loosely-cohesive microcystic or myxoid areas; the latter is pictured here. Diagnosis can be difficult, especially on small biopsies, but molecular testing can help. BRAF-KIAA1549 fusion occurs in about 70% of PAs, whereas BRAF V600E mutation occurs in about 5-10% of PAs.
Adventures in Neuropathology 