4- Peripheral Neuropathies & ALS Flashcards

1
Q

Compression of the median nerve causing carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common example of what type of nerve pathology?

(others: peroneal = foot drop, ulnar = hand weakness, radial = wrist drop)

A

Mononeuropathy (single nerve affected)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Diabetes affecting a combination of individual nerves or thoracic neuropathy causing problems with both the radial and ulnar nerves are examples of what type of nerve pathology?

A

Mononeuropathy multiplex

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What type of neuropathy is commonly seen in distal nerve distributions?

A

Polyneuropathy

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Compression or entrapment of a nerve will result in what type of nerve pathology?

A

Mechanical

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What is neuropraxia and what nerve pathology is it a/w?

A

Damage to axons w/ NO nerve damage- ex. arm falls asleep

A/w mechanical pathology

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Ischemic damage by venous disease (polyarteritis nodosa, RA) or arterial occlusion (diabetes) results in what type of nerve pathology?

A

Vascular - will see neuropathy in multiple distributions

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Diabetes, chemotherapy agents, and lead poisoning resulting in sensory > motor deficits results in what type of nerve pathology?

A

Axonal polyneuropathies

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What type of disease presents with symmetric neuropathy with distal sensory loss in feet, loss of thermal/ vibratory sense first +/- “pain”?

A

Diabetes (polyneuropathy)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What type of nerve pathology is a/w the absence of sensory involvement, and the involvement of proximal and distal muscles and fasiculations?

A

Neuronal polyneuropathies- degeneration of motor neurons

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What is the most common disease a/w neuronal polyneuropathies?

A

ALS

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Guillaine-Barre and Charcot-Marie-Tooth are examples of what type of nerve pathology?

A

Demyelinating polyneuropathies

(usually autoimmune or inherited)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Guillain-Barre and Charcot-Marie-Tooth are examples of demyelinating polyneuropathies. Which is acute vs chronic and what might be elevated in CSF of these pts?

A

Guillain-Barre- acute

Charcot-Marie-Tooth- chronic

Elevated protein in CSF (all demyelinating polyneuropathies)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Pt presents with pins and needles in their feet and weakness in their legs that is moving proximally. PE shows absent DTRs in LEs. What are you concerned for and what might be of importance in pt hx?

A

Guillian-Barre (demyelinating, acquired)

Hx of infection- Campylobacter jejuni

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Pt presents with slowly evolving footdrop and hx of frequent ankle sprains. PE shows distal wasting of intrinsic muscles of feet. What are you concerned for?

A

Charcot-Marie-Tooth (demyelinating, inherited)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

How is chronicity of neuropathies defined?

A

Acute- days (trauma w/ compression/ cutting of nerve)

Subacute- 2-4 wks

Chronic- > 1 month (DM)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Most causes of peripheral neuropathy affect what?

A

BOTH motor and sensory

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Pt presenting with sxs of weakness, fatigue, cramps, and muscle twitches is more indicative of motor or sensory injury?

A

Motor

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Pt presenting with sxs of numbness, pain, altered sensation, or loss of coordination (least common) is more indicative of motor or sensory injury?

A

Sensory

19
Q

Signs of focal weakness, fatigue or cramps with ROM exercises, and fasiculations are more indicative of motor or sensory injury?

A

Motor

20
Q

Signs of loss of sharp/ dull touch, ataxia (disequilibrium), and hyporeflexia are more indicative of motor or sensory injury?

A

Sensory

21
Q

What type of nerve pathology produces impared cutaneous sensation in a segmental pattern and may present as neck/ back pain that radiates to the extremities?

A

Radiculopathy- nerve root lesion

22
Q

What is defined as inflammation/ degeneration of skeletal muscle?

A

Myopathy

23
Q

How can you differentiate between myopathy and neuropathy?

A

Myopathy- proximal motor weakness

Neuropathy, distal motor weakness, sensory loss, loss of reflexes

24
Q

What condition typically produces sxs of upper and/ or lower motor neuron dysfunction WITHOUT sensory sxs?

A

Motor neuron diseases

(peripheral neuropathy)

25
Q

What condition usually presents with symmetrical distal sensory involvement and symmetrical proximal motor involvement?

A

B12 deficiency

(peripheral neuropathy)

26
Q

What diagnostic studies are ordered if suspicion for neuropathy?

A

NCS, EMG

27
Q

Interpretation of NCS/ EMG shows slowing of the nerve conduction velocity. What type of neuropathy are you concerned for?

A

Demyelinating neuropathy

28
Q

Interpretation of EMG shows denervation changes. What type of neuropathy are you concerned for?

A

Axonal neuropathy

29
Q

Interpretation of NCS/ EMG shows slowing of a segment of one nerve. What type of neuropathy are you concerned for?

A

Mononeuropathy

30
Q

Interpretation of NCS/ EMG shows slowing of nerve conduction velocity on multiple nerves. What type of neuropathy are you concerned for?

A

Polyneuropathy

31
Q

In addition to NCS/ EMG, what diagnostics should be ordered if you are suspicious of an inflammatory cause?

A

Nerve bx

32
Q

In addition to NCS/ EMG, what diagnostics should be ordered if you are suspicious of myopathy?

A

Muscle bx

33
Q

In addition to NCS/ EMG, what diagnostics should be ordered if you are suspicious of a tumor?

A

Imaging

34
Q

What is the pharmacologic tx for neuropathies?

A

NSAIDs

(others: Gabapentin, Pregabalin, TCAs, Duloxetine, Venlafaxine, Carbamazepine)

35
Q

What might be included in the tx for DM for neuropathic pain?

A

TCAs

36
Q

What pharmacologic tx is NOT effective in the tx of Guillian-Barre?

A

Steroids

Tx is supportive

37
Q

What might be included in the tx of ALS for fasiculations?

A

Anticonvulsants

38
Q

What is included in non-pharmacologic tx for neuropathies?

A

PT

TENS

Relaxation techniques

Magnets

39
Q

Where does weakness start/ progress in ALS?

A

Starts in hands/ arms and progresses to legs

Muscle twitching/ cramps also common

40
Q

Pt presents with painless, progressive weakness of intrinsic muscles of the hand, and presence of upper and lower motor neuron signs in the same limb with NO alteration in sensation. What are you concerned for?

A

ALS

(idiopathic)

41
Q

What LMN findings might be noted on PE of a pt with ALS? (5)

A

Fasiculations (tongue)

Weakness

Atrophy

Muscle cramps

Hyporeflexia

42
Q

What UMN findings might be noted on PE of a pt with ALS? (6)

A

Slow movement

Incoordination

Increased tone

Hyperreflexia (Babinski)

Spasticity

Clonus

43
Q

How is ALS diagnosed?

A

Clinically

(NCS and imaging normal, EMG- widespread involvement of proximal and distal muscles)

44
Q

What is the prognosis for ALS?

(mean duration of time between sxs and death)

A

27- 43 months