Cerebral Palsy

Question 1

What are the different types of spastic cerebral palsy?

Answer 1

Hemiplegic
Diplegic
Quadroplegic

Question 2

What are the clinical features of spastic cerebral palsy?

Answer 2

UMN lesions in the corticospinal or pyramidal tract (cortical motor areas and underlying white matter)

• Brisk reflexes
• Spasticity
• Extensor plantar response

Question 3

Describe hemiplegic spastic cerebral palsy

Answer 3

Unilateral, arm affected more than leg
Unaffected face
Present at 4-12 months

Question 4

What are the signs of hemiplegic spastic cerebral palsy?

Answer 4

Closed fist
Flexed arm, extended leg
“Magic Carpet” sign
Tip-toe gait on affected side

Question 5

Describe quadreplegic spastic cerebral palsy

Answer 5

All four limbs are affected.
Usually severe
Arms tend to be affected more than legs
Poor head control

Question 6

What is quadriplegic spastic cerebral palsy commonly associated with?

Answer 6

Seizures
Microcephaly
Moderate to severe intellectual impairment

Question 7

Describe diplegic spastic cerebral palsy

Answer 7

All four limbs affected
Legs worse than arms
Hand function may be normal
Abnormal gait - scissor gait

Question 8

Describe ataxic cerebral palsy

Answer 8

Due to damage to cerebellum therefore affecting coordination.
Hypotonia
Commonest manifestation is intention tremor.

Question 9

Describe dyskinetic cerebral palsy

Answer 9

Fluctuating muscle tone (UMN & LMN), causing involuntary limb movements.
Due to damage to basal ganglia
All four limbs affected

Question 10

Describe the signs in ataxic cerebral palsy

Answer 10

Intention Tremor
Poor balance and coordination
Hypotonia
Wide based gait

Question 11

Define chorea

Answer 11

irregular, sudden and solitary movement

Question 12

Define Dystonia and Athetosis

Answer 12

Simultaneous contraction then relaxation of opposing muscle groups
dystonia = trunk and proximal limbs
athetosis = distal limbs