Ax Neurology Flashcards
What’s hemineglect/ unilateral spatial neglect/ unilateral inattention.
One sided ( often left sided) spatial disorientation afar pathological event in the contralateral hemisphere , classically Right posterior parietal cortex.
Features- fails to entirely attend to other side, not shaving the face ( as if that side doesn’t exist) , lifting other arm instead of that, collides on surroundings, ( NOT ONLY SENSORY MOTOR, but also PERCEPTUAL, VISUOSPATIAL, BEHAVIORAL changes )
Causes- contralateral PARIETAL LOBE PATHOLOGY is the likely cause.
Features of frontal Cortex deficit
Speech and behavior problems
Primitive reflexes( grasping, sucking)
Altered mental status
Impaired judgement
CONTRALATERAL WEAKNESS ( greater in legs than arms)
Gait apraxia
Temporal cortex lesions features
Features LESS NOTICABLE by others-
Language and speech problems
Forgetfulness
Visual disturbances
Left parietal lobe problems causing-
Right side hemineglect
Occipital lobe lesions causing-
Contralateral homonymous hemianopia
Cortical blindness
Visual agnosia ( not eecongnizing familiar objects)
Impaired memory
Altered mental status
Definition of drug induced Parkinsonism
Bilateral and symmetrical Parkinsonism without tremors at rest.
What’s atypical Parkinsonism and what are their features
Syndromes characterized by some features of Parkinsonism plus additional features.
CF- falls in the early disease, poor response to levadopa, symmetry at the disease onset, rapid disease progression.
Usually little or no tremors, relatively early speech and balance difficulty and little or no response to doperminergic meds.
Rules Regarding Huntington disease testing
Generic testing ( CRITERIAS) for >18Y OR OLDER who have atleast ONE BLOOD RELATIVE with definite diagnosis.
In Gillick competence rule - if child who CAN HANDLE THE SITUATION but LESS THAN 18Y, can be referred to generic unit for genetic counseling OR can be informed that such screening CAN BE DONE AT THE AGE OF 18. (Less than 13y shouldn’t be referred for genetic counseling.)
Generic testing not done due to parents request.
If guidelines are unclear for decision making - court order can be requested.
Features of huntingtons diseases
Involuntary muscle movements affecting face ,hand,limbs( irregular and jerky)
Slurred speech and swallowing problems
Disruption of thought process.
Unsteadiness and falls
Memory loss
Depression and anxiety
Develops slowly over 15-20 years.
Diff between posterior communicating artery aneurysms and midbrain infarcts causing 3rd nerve palsy
Only PCA infarcts palsy -PUPILS AFFECTED.
Pupils intact in midbrain infarcts and diabetic palsy.
Causes of 3rd nerve palsy
- Ischemia (diabetic and midbrain infarcts)
- Aneurysms of PCA, internal carotid artery and basilar artery.
- Trauma
- Infection
Features of Bell’s palsy
- Acute onset unilateral upper or lower facial paralysis
- Posterior auricular pin
- Decrease tearing
- Hyperacusis
- Taste disturbance
What’s subacute combined degeneration of spinal cord
Due to vit B12 deficiency.
CF
1. Distal paresthesia and weakness of extremities.
2. Followed by spastic paresis and ataxia( Romberg positive)
3. Deficit of proprioception.
4. pyramidal signs ( plantar extension and hyperreflexia)
5. Recent memory loss, reduced attention, depression, hypomania, hallucinations.
6. Sensory could be affected.
Testing and management of subacute DOSC
Serum Vitamin b12 levels
Rx- vitamin B12
What’s re pyramidal and extra pyramidal signs
Features of Horners Xn
Ptosis
Miosis
Ipsilateral loss of sweating
Features of optic nerve lesion
Causes monocular visual loss
1. Impaired pupil light reflex
2. Central vision loss ( scotoma) in the visual field exam
3. Colour blindness out of proportion to acuity loss.
What’s normal MMSE
Above 24 rules out cognitive impairment
What’s haloperidol and it’s effect on Parkinsonism
Haloperidol is a first gen antipsychotic ( acts on inhibition of dopamine receptors )
In Parkinsonism dopamine depletion by basal ganaglia occurs.
So haloperidol results in worsening of extrapyramidal symptoms of Parkinson’s.
Which antipsychotics doesn’t produce dose dependent extrapyramidal effects in Parkinsonism
Aripiprazole
Clozapine
Quetiapine
Sensory distribution of the tongue
Function of non dominant parietal lobe? And damage causes?
Three dimensional manipulation
Causes constructional apraxia( drawing of intersecting pentagon is impaired)
Areas of cognitive function tested in MMSE
Orientation
Registration
Attention And Calculation
Recall
Language
Immediate anti platelet therapy for patient with STROKE OR TIA ( after excluding hemorrhagic stroke by CT scan )
Aspirin + clopidogrel recommended for a SHORT TERM COURSE only.
Warfarin is the preferred anticoagulant in stroke with AF.
Endarterectomy - if asymptomatic and more than 60% OR asymptomatic and more than 50%
For this patient - endarterectomy within 2 weeks to prevent further strokes.
Episodic vertigo , right sided hearing loss, double vision and simultaneous numbness of left limbs.. suggestive of
Difference between mineire disease and VBI
What are distinct characteristics of vertebrobasilar strokes
These will differentiate VB strokes from hemispheric strokes caused by lesions of anterior , middle cerebral and internal carotid artery
PICA syndrome features
Features of SAH
Features of subdural hematoma
Features of epidural hematoma
What’s the biggest preventable RF in strokes
Hypertension
Unless contraindicated by symptomatic hypotension , all patients should receive anti hypertensives after stroke/TIA
( ACE-I And diuretics together or alone are more beneficial)
What’s the window for thrombolytic therapy in stroke
Within 4.5 hours of symptom onset
What’s the most imp step in managing strokes/TIA
Antiplatelet therapy ( for prevention of further ischemic cerebrovascular accidents)
Dual therapy is the initial pharmacological management - aspirin + clopidogrel for ONLY 3 WEEKS.
When to do theombolytic therapy in stroke
In carefully selected patients with ischemic stroke and TIA —> thrombolytic therapy can be given ( rTPA)
Antiplatelet should ebatarted immediately. And if theombolysis done antiplatelet started after 24hours.
Causes of transient visual loss
Among emboli conclusions causing TIA Retinal ischemia common with emboli originating from CAROTID STENOSIS rather than THE HEART.
Indication for CEA
If asymptomatic 60% or more stenosis
If symptomatic 50% or more
What are more likely features of a brain tumor
Early morning nagging type headache
Associated vomiting WITHOUT nausea
Highly suggestive of a space occupying brain lesion
Types of headaches
- Scape occupying lesion- nagging early morning headache with vomiting without nausea.
- Migraine - throbbing in nature, nausea, aggregated by head movement
- Cluster headache- unilateral, deep severe pain around of behind the eyes or in the temple, tearing ,runny nose, eye congestion, ptosis are seen. Agitated.
- Sinusitis - nagging around maxillary or frontal sinuses.
- Tension headache- common type no nausea , in evening hours.