9. Neurology Flashcards
Descrire diagnosis criterias : Cluster headaches (aka suicide headaches) (6)
At least 5 headaches with the following characteristics :
* severe unilat orbital, supraorbital +/- temporal pain lasting 15-180 mins untreated
* Attach associated with >/= 1 of the following autonomic sx (usually unilat and ipsilat) : conjunctival injection, lacrimation, nasal congestion, rhinorrhea, forehead/facial swelling, miosis, ptosis, eyelid edema, agitation (unable to lie down)
* Frequency from 8/d to q2d
* r/o organic cause
Unmistakble circadian + circannual periodicity (pts suffer daily/nightly over weeks/months) : episodic vs chronic
50% of pts will have migraine like sx (photophobia, phonophobia, no/vo)
Describe episodic and chronic cluster headaches
- Episodic (85-90%) : headaches occur in series lasting weeks to months (6-12 wks) w/remission lasting months (at least 3 months) to years. Most attacks are usually in the spring or fall
- Chronic (10-15%): attacks lasting 21 yr or w/ remission $1 mo (definitely <3 months)
Describe physical : Cluster headache (4)
- Vitals (BP + Hr)
- Neuro exam
- Meningeal irritation
- Carotid arteries, sinus, scalp arteries, neck muscles
Describe investigations : Cluster headache (3)
- Cluster headaches are a primary headache disorder so typically do NOT require imaging / investigations
- MRI if any red flags, atypical symptoms, atypical response to treatment
- Also consider ordering TSH, prolaclin, pituitary function screening,
Name redflags : Cluster headache (6)
SNOOPS
* Systemic - fever, HTN, myalgias, |wt, scaip tenderness
* Neuro symptoms - confusion, LOC, papilledema, visual field defect, CN asymmetry, extremity drift / weakness, reflex asymmetry, seizure
* Onset - sudden / abrupt / split second
* Older patients - new onset or progressive >50y/0
* Previous Hx - New / Different, Change in severity, progressing
* Secondary risk factors - HIV, CA, Precipitated by Valsalva maneuver (cough, sneeze)
Name triggers : Cluster headache (4)
- Alcohol
- Food containing nitrates
- Nitroglycerin
- Strong odours such as petroleum, paint and nail varnish
Describe ACUTE management : Cluster headache (8)
- Inhaled 02 through non-breathing mask at beginning of attack. (A) 100% at a rate of 6-12 L / min x15 min
Also consider one of the following medications
* Sumatriptan 6mg subcut (A)
* zolmitriptan 5mg intranasally (A)
* zolmitriptan 10mg po (B)
* Sumatriptan 20mg intranasal (B)
* Lidocaine 4% - 10% nasal (C)
* Octreotide (C)
Start prophylactic medications + Bridging medication
Are triptans effective before culester headaches?
Nol effective when used before attack (prophylactic)
Name C-I : Triptans (2)
cardio disorders, cerebrovascular disorders
Describe bridging treatment : Cluster headaches (3)
Started simultaneously with maintenance therapy (assists until maintenance can suppress h/a - taper once remission occurs), respecially if >/= 2 attacks / day
* unilateral greater occipital nerve block 80mg methy/prednisolone w/
2mL of 2% lidocaine (preferred over steroid to I cumulative effect)
* Corticosteroids - prednisone 60mg x5 d then I by 10mg q2d unfil discontinued, OR methylprednisolone 100mg po then taper
* Ergotamine
Describe prophylaxis/maintenance medication : Cluster headache (8)
Windraw treatment as soon as bout resolves (4w after last episode), and restart at therapeutic dose when new bout occurs.
- Verapamil initial dose 80mg TID (A) (20% will get an arrhythmia, so get a baseline ECG, repeat 10d after dose adjustments and then q6mo while
stable).
- Verapamil initial dose 80mg TID (A) (20% will get an arrhythmia, so get a baseline ECG, repeat 10d after dose adjustments and then q6mo while
- Lithium 300mg00 then increase by 300mg qweeky (B) - more commonly used in chronic than episodic. Monitor trough levels q1-2mo
- Topiramate 100mg/d(B) (contraindication: nephrolithiasis)
- Ergotamine (B)
- Valproic Acid 5-20mg/kg (C)
- 3 Melatonin 10mg QHS (C)
- Baclofen 15-30mg (C)
- Neuromodulators
avoid medication overuse (ex. NSAID ≤ 15d/mo, opioid ≤ 10d/mo)
Any concussion, name clinical signs immediately following the injury include any below (5)
- Loss or I consciousness less than 30 min
- Lack of memory for events immediately before or after injury <24 hrs
- alteration in mental state at the time of the injury (ex. slow thinking)
- Physical symptoms (ex. vestibular, headache, weakness, vision)
- NOTE: No evidence of intracranial lesion on imaging (if present suggestive of more severe brain injury)
Describe history and physical of concussion
History + Physical
* Headache
* Loss of consciousness
* Nausea / Vomiting
* Amnesia
* Dizziness
* Loss of balance/poor coordination
* Visual disturbances
* Tinnitus
* Photophobia
* Vertigo
* Phonophobia
* Decreased playing ability
* Examine head / scalp for swelling / ecchymosis / tenderness / numbness / step offs
* Look for battle sign / racoon eyes / rhinorrhea / otorrhea/hemotympanum
* Examine cervical spine for ROM + tenderness
* Examine TMJ for ROM, tenderness, dislocation
* Full neuro examine (cranial, motor, sensory, coordination)
Emotional / behavioural
* Irritability
* Emotional lability
* Sadness / Depression
* Anxiety
* Inappropriate emotions
* Fatigue / Lethargy / Drowsiness
Cognitive
* Slowed reaction times
* Difficulty concentrating
* Difficulty remembering
* Confusion
* Feeling in a fog
* Feeling dazed
Sleep
* Drowsiness
* Trouble falling asleep
* Sleeping more than usual
* Sleeping less than usual
Name complications : Concussion (3)
- Poor attention, concentration
- ⬇️ speed processing, impaired memory and learning
- Diffuse cerebral swelling / malignant brain edema syndrome
In concussions, consider what if the child/adolescent plays high-risk sports?
Consider baseline neuro-cognitive testing if the child / adolescent plays high-risk sport (not as a general rule) (B)
For concussion, describe Immediate Management (at the time / location of injury) (3)
- ABC, c-spine protocol
- Remove individual from game / activity, NEVER return to game if suspected concussion (⬇️response, ⬇️ attention causes ⬆️ risk) “if in doubt, sit them out. Do NOT leave alone. Do serial monitoring for a few hrs
- Assessment by medical professional (neuro + mental status). After addressing first aid issues, use SCAT5 as sideline assessment tool
Key Features of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) assessment in ER or doctor’s office
Medical History
* symptoms
* mechanism
* severity / duration of altered level of consciousness, co-occurring injuries
* PMHx
* psychosocial
Exam
* mental status
* cognition
* physical status
* cranial nerves
* extremit tone / strength / reflexes, gait + balance, coordination, scalp / skull for fracture
* TMJ
Clinical status including improvements / deterioration (delayed presentation should be considered as failure to clinically improve during observation - consider symptoms and have a low threshold to image)
Determine need for urgent neuroimaging
* Most uncomplicated mTBI clinical symptoms start to improve by 2 hours post-injury and are returning to normal by 4hrs post-injury
* Clinical symptoms that are deteriorating or not improving by 4 hours post-injury on serial observation (Ex. alertness / behaviour/ cognition, PTA, vomiting, severe headache) are very concerning
In concussions, name criterias for discharge home from ER
Normal mental status w/ clinically improving post-concussive symptoms after observation until at least 4 hrs post-injury
No clinical risk factors indicating CT or pt has a normal CT
No clinical indicators for prolonged observation such as:
* Clinical deterioration
* Persistent abnormal GCS or focal neurological deficit
* Persistent abnormal mental status
* Vomiting / severe headache
* Presence of known coagulopathy
* Persistent drug / alcohol intoxication
* Multi-system injury
* Presence of concurrent medical problems
* Age >65
For concussion, name discharge considerations + planning (6)
- if symptomatic, NO driving for 24hrs. Even asymptomatic pts may exhibit poorer vehicle control for 48 hrs
- Needs to be with a responsible person to take pt home and observe
- Needs to be able to return if pt deteriorates
- Summary prepared for primary care physician
- Written and verbal advice covering (1) s+s of deterioration, (2) lifestyle
advice to assist recovery (3) typical post-concussive symptoms - Follow-up with primary care physician if they are not back to normal within 2 days
Describe investigations for concussions (6)
- plain skull ×-ray only recommended if no indication for CT but concern for skill fracture (not routinely done)
- CT Scan (NOT MRI) (note 1 lifetime risk of cancer w/ radiation exposure)
- PEDS: PECARN (has been validated, more sensitive than CATCH has not been compared to CATCH2)
- PEDS = CATCH2 (Canadian study) sensitivity: 100% for neurosurgical intervention & 99.5% for brain injury
- ADULTS = Canadian CT Head Rules
- Neuropsychological testing (best if pre-concussion baseline at the beginning of the sports season) if symptoms >4w
In investigations for concussions in peds, describe PECARN (4)
Age < 2 y/o (sensitivity 100%)
* GCS ≤ 14 or acute encephalopathy / altered mental status (agitation, somnolence, slow response) or palpable skull # > CT
* (1) Occipital / parietal / temporal skull hematoma or (2) history of
LOC 25 sec or (3) severe mechanism or (4) not acting normally per
parent > observation vs. CT based on experience, worsening parental preference
Age ≥ 2 yo (sensitivity 99%)
* GCS ≤ 14 or acute encephalopathy / altered mental status (agitation, somnolence, slow response) or palpable skull # > CI
* (1) History of LOC or (2) history of vomiting or (3) severe
mechanism or (4) severe headache > observation vs. CT based
on experience, worsening parental preference
In investigations for concussions in peds, describe CATCH2 (8)
CT head is required for children with minor head injury [in past 24hr,
witnessed LOC / disorientation, definite amnesia, persistent vomiting
(>1 episode) or irritability (<2 y/o) & GCS 13-15] & 21 of these findings
- GCS score <15 2 hours after injury
- Suspected open or depressed skull fracture
- History of worsening headache
- Irritability on exam
- Any sign of basal skull fracture (hemotympanum, racoon eyes, otorrhea, rhinorrhea of cerebrospinal fluid, battle sign)
- Large, boggy hematoma of the scalp
- Dangerous mechanism of injury (ex.MVA, fall from ≥ 3 feet or 5 stairs, fall from bicycle with no helmet)
- 4 ore more episodes of vomiting