9 CLINICAL ONE: SENSATION Flashcards
What should a sensory exam follow
Following assessment of mental state, cranial nerves, power, tone, co-ordination and reflexes
List types of sensory loss
Dermatomal Cortical Dissociative Wallenberg syndrome (one side of face, other side of body) Glove and stocking Patch of numbness Numbness below a cord level Hemianasthesia
What will an upper motor neuron patholgy present as
Central sensory loss, increased reflexes/tone. Spastic paralysis
What will a lower motor neuron problem present as
Weakness. Decreased tone and reflexes. Flaccid paralysis
List four testing modalities for sensory loss
Pain with pinprick Light touch with cotton wool Vibrations with tuning fork Position sense Two point discrimination Graphesthesia
What are the two types of peripheral neuropathy’s
Mononeuropathy. E.g. carpal tunnel syndrome whereby the median nerve is affected.
Polyneuropathy- Many kinds. Often longest nerves effected giving glove and stocking presentation. Small fibre polyneuropathy occurs in diabetes and alcoholism.
Describe Guillian Barre
An autoimmune condition whereby the immune system attacks peripheral nerves damaging their myelin sheaths.
Describe radiculopathy
Whereby there is damage at the nerve root and associated patch weakness, numbness and pain
Describe Brown Sequard syndrome
Unilateral spinal cord damage. Causes pain/temp loss on contralateral side to lesion and touch/pressure on ipsilateral side
Define cortical sensory loss
Loss of sensation in distinct regions
Which artery blockage will result in sensory loss
Middle cerebral (paired) supplies large amount of somatosensory cortex.
Define dysathesia
Abnormal unpleasant sensation felt when touched due to peripheral neuropathy
