Cerebrovascular and diseases of consciousness Flashcards
What does a proto-oncogene mutation result in?
Results in promotion of cell division
What does a tumour suppressor gene mutation result in?
Results in loss of inhibition of cell division
What does a mutation of isocitrate dehydrogenase lead to?
Excessive build-up of 2-Hydroxyglutarate
Genetic instability in glial cells and subsequent inappropriate mitosis – leading to cancer
Description of grade I brain tumour
Slow growing
Least malignant
E.g. astrocytoma, craniopharyngioma
Description of grade II brain tumour
Slowly growing
Slightly abnormal appearance
May spread to nearby tissue
Description of grade III brain tumour
Malignant
Grow into nearby structures
Tend to recur
Description of grade IV brain tumour
Most malignant
Rapidly reproduce
Necrotic core
E.g. glioblastoma
Describe a glioblastoma
Type of astrocytoma
Grade IV
Occur in cerebral hemispheres
Prognosis <1yr
Describe a meningioma
Benign
Form under the dura mater
Grade I-III
Describe a oligodendroglioma
Form in the frontal lobes of the cerebral cortex
Grade II-III
IDH-1 mutation positive
7-10 years prognosis
Describe a craniopharyngioma
Form in the sellar region from remnants of Rathke’s pouch
Grade 1
Benign
Symptoms of raised ICP
Headache Drowsiness Nausea, vomiting Papilloedema 3rd, 4th, 6th nerve palsies Dilated pupils
Describe the headache that you would get with raised ICP
Worse on waking from sleep in the morning
Pain increases by coughing, straining, bending forwards
Relieved by vomiting
Symptoms with a tumour on the cerebellum
DASHING
Dysdiadochokinesis Ataxia Slurred speech Hypotonia Intention tremor Nystagmus Gait abnormality
Diagnosis of brain tumours
CT with contrast and MRI (high grade tumours have irregular edges)
Biopsy via skull burr hole to determine cancer grade
Treatment of brain tumours
Surgery to remove mass
Chemotherapy (Temozolomide, PCV)
Radiotherapy for 6 weeks (for high grade)
Oral dexamethasone for oedema
What is the primary use of EEG?
To diagnose epilepsy using inter-ictal and ictal recordings
What does a spike and wave on an EEG show?
Epileptiform discharge
Describe the Theta wave on EEG
4-7Hz
Normal physiological rhythm – seen frontally/frontocentral
Increases in drowsiness, focussed concentrations, hyperventilation
Describe the Alpha wave on EEG
8-12Hz Occipital Blocked with mental activity, and anxiety Abnormal if seen in front Drowsiness can reduce alpha by 1hz Alpha can be slow up to 7 yrs of age
Describe the Delta wave on EEG
< 4Hz
In a normal awake routine adult should only occupy <10% of the EEG
More in babies and elderly
Describe the Beta wave on EEG
Fast, 13Hz –20 Hz
Seen in drugs, esp. benzos / diazepam
Frontally
What is the hyperventilation technique in an EEG used to induce?
Childhood absence epilepsy
5 variables that can affect an EEG
Age of px Artifacts Conscious levels Drugs Co-existent cerebral pathology
Symptoms of West’s syndrome
3-12 months of age
Epileptic spasms, hypsarrhythmia, regression
Symptoms of Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy
5-34yrs
Myoclonic jerk <1sec
In mornings
Eye closure sensitivity – in 3 secs will see generalised spike and wave
What is epilepsy?
A recurrent tendency to spontaneous, intermittent, abnormal electrical and neuronal activity in part of the brain manifesting as a transient occurrence of signs and symptoms
Pathophysiology of epilepsy?
Fast/long lasting activation of glutamate NMDA receptors
OR
Genetic mutations of GABA receptors so cannot inhibit signals
Causes of epilepsy
2/3 are idiopathic Cortical scarring Space occupying lesion Stroke Alcohol withdrawal Dementia
Symptoms of a prodrome
Lasting hours or days
Change of mood/behaviour
Symptoms of an aura
Patient is aware
Deja vu / strange smells / flashing lights / hallucinations / fear
Symptoms of the post-ictal period
Headache, confusion, myalgia, sore tongue
Todd’s paralysis
Dysphasia
Diagnostic test for epilepsy
At least 2 or more unprovoked seizures occurring > 24hrs apart
OR
One seizure AND >60% chance that further seizures in the next 10 years (predisposition on MRI – stroke, tumour, encephalomalacia or EEG)
1st line drug for generalized seizures
Sodium valporate
If pregnant / woman of childbearing age then:
Lamotrigine
Carbamazepine
Levetiracetam
1st line drug for absence seziures
Ethosuximide
1st line drug for focal seizures
Carbamazepine
Criteria for medically intractable epilepsy
Reliable diagnosis
Need to be affecting quality of life – disabling seizures
2 drugs for 2 years need to be tried first
What is the driving guidelines for epilepsy?
Have to be free of seizures for 1 year
If coming off medications – no driving for 6 months after withdrawing from antiepileptics
What is status epilepticus?
Convulsive seizures >30 mins or multiple seizures without recovery of consciousness
Acute causes of status epilepticus
Stroke Metabolic abnormalities Hypoxia Infections Drug overdoses
Chronic causes of status epilepticus
Low conc. of AED
Alcohol misuse
Tumour
Pathophysiology of continued status epilepticus
GABA inhibitory receptors start to internalise and are no longer available
Glutamate and NMDA receptors lead to continued excitement
Potency of benzodiazepines reduces by ___ in ____ minutes in status epilepticus
20x
30 mins
Symptoms of non-convulsive status epilepticus
Seizures activity on EEG without clinical findings of generalised convulsive status epilepticus
Wandering confused, automatisms
Acutely ill, obtunded +/- motor abnormalities
Anorexia, aphasia / mutism, amnesia, catatonia, coma, confusion, lethargy, and staring
Agitation / aggression
Automatisms, blinking, facial twitching
Delusions, echolalia, laughter, nausea/vomiting
Nystagmus/eye deviation
Psychosis
Complications of status epilepticus
Airway obstruction, hypoxia, injury Increased CNS metabolic consumption Rhabdomyolysis Renal failure – acute tubular necrosis Metabolic acidosis Hyperthermia Major organ failure Cerebral oedema
In status epilepticus if the px is fitting for >5 min what do you give them?
Benzodiazepine (lorazepam / diazepam)
In status epilepticus if the px is fitting for >10 min what do you give them?
IV PHENYTOIN 18mg/kg (max rate 50kg /min)
OR
IV LEVETIRACETAM 30mg/kg (infuse over 10 mins)
OR
IV SODIUM VALPROATE 30mg/kg (infuse over 5 mins)
OR
IV PHENOBARBITAL 10mg/kg (max rate 100mg / min)
In status epilepticus if the px is fitting for >30 min what do you give them?
Anaesthesia with paralysing drug e.g. suxamethonium and ICU admission
What are the differential diagnosis for epilepsy?
Epileptic seizure
Syncope
Psychogenic nonepileptic seizure (NEAD)
What is syncope?
Reversible loss of consciousness due to short-term inadequate blood flow to the brain - transient global cerebral hypoperfusion
Symptoms of vasovagal syncope
Pallor, sweating, nausea
They know they are going to pass out
Lack of post-ictal confusion, hearing people around you before you can respond
Causes of orthostatic hypotension
Volume depletion - haemorrhage, vomiting, diarrhoea
Autonomic failure - parkinson’s, old age
Drop in what blood pressure suggests postural hypotension?
20mmHg systolic / 10mmHg diastolic
Symptoms of NEAD
Wax/wane, pelvic thrusting, crying / screaming, thrashing, sometimes responsive, self-harm
Resemble epileptic seizures, but without ictal cerebral discharges; asynchronous movements
Unaware and unresponsive
Emotionally labile
Minimal confusion
Investigations for transient loss of consciousness
12 lead ECG
Neuroimaging
What is a stroke?
Rapid onset of neurological deficit caused by infarction. Characterised by rapidly developing signs of global disturbance lasting >24hrs or death
Risk factors for stroke?
Male Black or Asian Hypertension Past TIA Smoking Diabetes mellitus Increasing age Heart disease Alcohol Polycythaemia, thrombophilia AF Hypercholesterolaemia Combined oral contraceptive pill Vasculitis Infective endocarditis
Ischaemic causes for stroke
Thrombosis - large artery disease
Cardiac emboli
Lacunar infarct - small artery disease
Hypoperfusion - sudden drop in BP by more than 40mmHg
Causes of haemorrhagic stroke
Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (main) Trauma Aneurysm rupture Carotid artery dissection Anticoagulation
Causes for strokes in young people
Vasculitis Thrombophilia Subarachnoid haemorrhage Carotid / vertebral artery dissection Venous sinus thrombosis Recreational drugs
What is the TOAST classification for stroke?
- Large-artery atherosclerosis
- Cardioembolism
- Small-vessel occlusion
- Stroke of other determined aetiology
- Stroke of undetermined aetiology
Symptoms of a ACA stroke
Leg weakness Truncal ataxia Incontinence Akinetic mutism Drowsiness
Symptoms of a MCA stroke
Contralateral arm and leg weakness Hemianopia Aphasia Dysphasia Facial droop
Symptoms of a PCA stroke
Contralateral homonymous hemianopia
Unilateral headache
Visual agnosia
Colour naming and discriminate problems
Symptoms of a brainstem / cerebellum infarct
Locked in syndrome Hemiparesis Facial paralysis Dysarthria and speech impairment Vertigo, nausea and vomiting Visual disturbance Altered consciousness
Symptoms of a lacunar stroke
Unilateral weakness
Pure sensory loss – thalamus
Ataxic hemiparesis – pontine lesion
Dysarthria / clumsy hand - pons, internal capsule
First line investigation for stroke
Urgent CT head / MRI (diffusion weighted imaging)
When are carotid dopplers done in stroke?
The px is relatively well after stroke
If surgery is needed
If anterior circulation affected