CNS Congenital Abnormalities - Pathology

Introduction

Congenital malformations may involve the spinal cord, brain, meninges, calvaria or vertebral column.
Abnormalities typically result from defects in neural tube development.
Congenital malformations are present at or before birth, and manifest as either:
- Morphological problems
- Functional problems
  - Tend to arise as biochemical abnormalities, such as the lysosomal diseases or leukodystrophies.
Causes of congenital abnormalities include:
- Environmental causes
  - For example, these may be toxic, infectious, nutritional, or physical (e.g. radiation)
  - This is by far the most common cause.
- Inherited traits.