2 Approach and Diagnostic Tools Flashcards
Common opportunisitic fungus that causes neuro symptoms and is seen on peripheral blood or serum
Cryptococcus neoformans
What is the best test for cryptococcus neoformans
Latex capsual agglutination test
Muscular disease seen along the gulf coast
Hepatozoon
Why are radiographs not ideal for neuro cases
Will not see neural structures or discs
What is myelography
Survey spinal radiographs
Intrathecal injuection
Complications of myelography
Arrest
Seizures
Worsening neurological status
Advantages of CT
More sensitive with more contrast
Rapid
Inexpensive
Only need sedation
Characteristics of MRI
Very sensitive for soft tissue
Slow
Requires anesthesia
When would you use MRI over CT
Most brain diseases
Intramedullary spinal diseases, tumors
Type II IVDD
When would you use CT over MRI
Fractures/boney disease
Mineralized Type I IVDD
Characteristics of cerebrospinal fluid
Produced by choroid plexus
Carbonic anhydrase
Rule out other diseases, very sensitive
Contraindications of CSF tap
Increased intracranial pressure
Lack of competency
What causes increased abnormal CSF
Meningeal or ependymal involvment
Xanthocrhomia in CSF
yellow tinge
Usually from prior hemorrhage
Turbidity in CSF
Increased circularity
Inflammatory
