Board Vitals Neurology Flashcards
What is the first test when papilledema and increased intracranial pressure is suspected?
MRI without contrast and venography
What should you do before a lumbar puncture if papilledema and increased intracranial pressure is suspected?
MRI brain to exclude a large space occupying lesion
Do symptoms of myasthenia gravis improve after applying an ice pack to the affected area?
Yes
Why do symptoms of myasthenia gravis improve after applying an ice pack to the affected area?
Cold temperatures improve receptor response to acetylcholine.
How is the diagnosis of myasthenia gravis confirmed?
Antibody testing (autoantibodies against the acetylecholine receptor)
What is the first line treatment of myasthenia gravis?
Pyridostigmine
Is glycopyrrolate used to treat myasthesia gravis?
No
What is glycopyrrolate used for in myasthenia gravis patients?
To counteract the cholinergic side effects of pyridostigmine
In which myasthenia gravis patients is thymectomy recommended to decrease the need of immunosuppressive therapy?
Patients younger than 50 years
When is Azathioprine used in patients who have myasthenia gravis?
When patients remain symptomatic after pyridostigmine
Oligoclonal bands are found in the CSF of a patient with varying neurological symptoms.
Diagnosis?
Multiple sclerosis
What is the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia?
Carbamazepine or oxcarbamazepine
What is the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia?
Carbamazepine or oxcarbazepine
What is an acephalgic migraine?
Visual aura without the headache
What should you suspect in a patient with headache, fever, altered mental status and neurological changes - when there is an apparent embolic source (such as infective endocarditis)?
Brain abscess
What is the mechanism of action of tripans?
Selective serotonin agonists (5-HT1B and 5-HT1D) receptors
Which imaging study is the most sensitive for detecting brain metastasis?
MRI with contrast
Can ataxia occur in central cause of vertigo?
Yes
Can ataxia occur in peripheral cause of vertigo?
No
Can nystagmus occur in central cause of vertigo?
Yes
Can nystagmus occur in peripheral cause of vertigo?
Yes
Can tinnitus occur in central cause of vertigo?
No
Can hearing loss occur in central cause of vertigo?
No
Can tinnitus occur in peripheral cause of vertigo?
Yes
Can hearing loss occur in peripheral cause of vertigo?
Yes
Can vomiting occur in central cause of vertigo?
Yes
Can vomiting occur in peripheral cause of vertigo?
Yes
Should you use triptans in coronary artery disease?
No - they are contraindicated.
What is the mechanism of action of lasmiditan?
Serotonin 5-HT-IF agonism
What is lasmiditan used for?
Migraines
What is the mechanism of action of ubrogepant and rimegepant?
CGRP (calcitonin gene-related peptide) antagonist
What are ubrogepant and rimegepant used for?
Abortive therapy for migraines
Do all patients with community-acquired bacterial meningitis need a CT head to rule out mass effect prior to lumbar puncture?
No
What should be done first in case of bacterial meningitis - blood cultures or lumbar puncture?
Lumbar puncture
Do patients with community-acquired bacterial meningitis who are immunocompromised need a CT head to rule out mass effect prior to lumbar puncture?
Yes
Do patients with community-acquired bacterial meningitis who have a history of CNS disease e.g. mass, stoke, focal infection need a CT head to rule out mass effect prior to lumbar puncture?
Yes
Do patients with community-acquired bacterial meningitis and new onset seizures within a week of presentation need a CT head to rule out mass effect prior to lumbar puncture?
Yes
Do patients with papilledema who are immunocompromised need a CT head to rule out mass effect prior to lumbar puncture?
Yes
Do patients with community-acquired bacterial meningitis and altered mental status need a CT head to rule out mass effect prior to lumbar puncture?
Yes
Do patients with community-acquired bacterial meningitis and focal neurological deficits need a CT head to rule out mass effect prior to lumbar puncture?
Yes
Do patients with community-acquired bacterial meningitis who are > 60 years old need a CT head to rule out mass effect prior to lumbar puncture?
Yes
What is suggested by a magnetic gait i.e. difficulty raising feet from floor?
Normal pressure hydrocephalus
What maneuver can be used to diagnose benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)?
Dix-Hallpike maneuver
Which medication is FDA approved to prevent episodic cluster headaches?
Galcanezumab
What is the standard of care for aborting cluster headaches?
Oxygen
What is the pathogenesis/cause of Guillain-Barre syndrome?
Molecular mimicry (between the infectious agent and the patient’s Schwann cells)