Clinical Medicine Flashcards
What does EDX medicine stand for?
Electrodiagnostic medicine
What is included in an EDX medicine consultation other than a neuromuscular and MSK history and physical? (4)
- differential dx
- EDX exam of nerves via nerve conduction studies (NCSs)
- EDX exam of mm via needle electromyography (EMG)
- final diagnosis
What are some indication for EDX medicine consultation? (6)
suspected NM or MSK disease involving the:
- motor neuron disease (ALS)
- nerve root (radiculopathy)
- plexus
- peripheral n.
- NMJ
- muscle
Are central lesions such as a stroke an indication for an EDX medicine consultation?
NO no central lesions
What are some frequent complains of NM or MSK pathology? (7)
- numbness or tingling
- decreased sensation
- pain
- cramping or spasms
- weakness
- gait difficulty
- fatigue
What can we use to…
- clarify etiology of symptoms such as radiculopathy vs. plexopathy vs. neuropathy, type of neuropathy, and source of pain
- localize a PNS lesion
- predict neurological prognosis
EDX medicine consultation
What are the three components of an EMG?
- nerve conduction studies (NCS)
- Electromyography (EMG)
- Special tests such as repetitive nerve stimulation
What can we use to assess the function and integrity of the peripheral nervous system?
EDX testing
What are the two basic elements of nerve conduction studies?
motor nerve conduction
sensory nerve conduction
For a NCS, peripheral nerves (motor and sensory) are stimulated with a controlled electrical stimulus. Responses such as _____ _____ _____ ______ and _____ _____ ______ ______ are then recorded.
compound motor action potential (CMAP)
sensory nerve action potential (SNAP)
When recording NCS for the median nerve, one looks at the ________ , _________, and _____ at various points along the arm and digits.
latency
amplitude
speed
TQ: What is it called in a NCS when we measure the conduction time from stimulation across a nerve through the NMJ to initial activation of the m. fibers
motor latency
TQ: What is it called in a NCS when we measure the number of activated muscle fibers
motor amplitude
TQ: What is it called in a NCS when we measure the conduction time of AP from stimulation across a nerve segment
sensory latency
TQ: What is it called in a NCS when we measure the number of activated sensory axons
sensory amplitude
TQ: What is it called in a NCS when we measure the velocity of the fastest conducting axons (motor and sensory)
conduction velocity
What test is being performed?
- needle electrode is inserted into the muscle
- multiple muscles are tested
- measured at rest and different levels of sustained voluntary contraction
- during activity, the electrical shape and pattern of the response can distinguish between nerve and muscle disease
EMG
What are the evaluated parameters in an EMG? (5)
- insertional activity
- spontaneous activity
- motor unit configuration
- motor unit recruitment
- interference pattern
T/F: During an EMG, the muscle shows spontaneous activity at rest without a nerve or muscle abnormality.
FALSE
At rest, the muscle should be silent
What is being described and is pertinent to what test?
- Bursts of electrical activity as the needle is inserted into muscle
- due to disruption of muscle fiber membranes
- prolonged with denervation, some muscle diseases
Insertional activity on an EMG
What is being described and is pertinent to what test?
- fibrillations, positive sharp waves, fasciculations
- hallmark of denervation, muscle membrane irritation
Spontaneous activity on an EMG
TQ: Repetitive stimulation is part of the ___________ exam
electrodiagnostic
How do we grade spontaneous activity on an EMG?
0-4 0=no fibs/PSWs 1=persistent in 2 areas 2=persistent in 3+ areas 3=persistent but not obscuring baseline 4=baseline obliterated
What are the three components of motor unit configuration on an EMG?
amplitude
duration
morphology
What is a single motor unit?
a motor axon and all its muscle fibers
How do we test for motor unit configuration on an EMG?
muscle is volitionally activated at different force levels
What is being described and is pertinent to what test?
-pattern of motor unit activation with increasing volitional activation
motor unit recruitment on an EMG
What is being described and is pertinent to what test?
-motor unit pattern with full voluntary activation
interference patterns on an EMG (contracting mm.)
What are some general EDX diagnoses? (6)
- normal
- radiculopathy
- plexopathy
- neuropathy
- myopathy
- widespread denervation (MND)
What are some specific EDX options?(4)
- acute vs. chronic vs. acute & chronic
- mild vs. moderate vs. severe
- anatomic location (root, plexus, nerve, NMJ, muscle)
- distribution (polyradiculopathy, trunk, cord, mono vs. multiplex vs. distal symmetric)
What are some disorders diagnosed or evaluated by EDX testing?
- motor neuron disease (ALS)
- Radiculopathy
- plexopathy
- muscle disease (inflam, metabolic, congenital)
- NMJ dz
- neuropathy (generalized: axonal, demyelinating or mixed: diabetic)
- mononeuropathy multiplex
- focal (mono): median, ulnar, peroneal, sciatic
What are the 3 EMG “pearls”?
- EDX studies are supplemental (always do history and physical)
- EDX results are often time-dependent
- EDX studies are not “standardized”
Describe the sequence of events for the NMJ
AP–>depolarization–>calcium influx–>fusion of Ach vesicles with presynaptic membrane and release of Ach–>bind to post-synaptic receptors on the muscle membrane–>contraction–>Ach degraded by AchE
Is Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) a presynaptic or postsynaptic disorder of the NMJ? What about myasthenia gravis?
Lambert-Eaten myasthenic syndrome=pre-synaptic
Myasthenia gravis=post-synaptic
Myasthenia gravis (MG) is caused by a defect of NM transmission due to….
an antibody mediated attack on AchR on muscle membrane
MG
- unknown how Ab arise
- HLA gene?
- usually w/ autoimmune disorders (SLE, thyroid)
- prevalence 3 in 100,000
- more common in _______ women and ______ men.
younger women
older men
Pt presents with…dx?
- Fluctuating weakness: “excessive fatiguability”
- ptosis and diploplia
- dysarthria, dysphagia,
- limb and neck weakness
- respond to cholinergic drugs
- labs: AchR antibodies
- EMG: decremental response on repetitive stimulation
- tensilon test
Myasthenia gravis
What are some treatment options for MG?
- AchE inhibitors
- prednisone
- plasma exchange/IVIg (especially before surgery)
NM blockers, excessive AchE, corticosteriods, thyroid supps, BOTOX, Mg salts, antiarrhythmics (B-blockers, lidocaine, etc), and antibiotics all may ________or ______ MG
exacerbate or unmask
______-_______ ______ ______ is due to an autoimmune attack against VGCC on the presynaptic nerve terminal
- This leads to a presynaptic abnormality of Ach release at the NMJ leading to weakness
- often this is associated with lung carcinoma (SCCL)
Lambert-Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome (LEMS)
Pt presents with…dx?
- proximal weakness, loss of DTR
- myalgias, dry mouth, impotence
- oropharyngeal and ocular mm. MILDLY affected
- strength improves with exercise
- slight response to tensilon test
- Hyporeflexia
- EMG: low amplitude motor responses that increase after exercise, incremental response on fast repetitive stimulation
Lambert-Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome (LEMS)
What are the two main ways we treat LEMS?
Immunosuppresion and IVIg
What are some key differences in MG and LEMS?
- MG normal reflexes and no dry mouth or impotence
- MG strength is weaker post-exercise vs. LEMS which is stronger
- MG has a decremental response to fast repetitive stimulation whereas LEMS has incremental response
Pt presents with…Dx?
- dry, sore mouth and throat, blurred vision, diploplia, n/v
- hypohydrosis, total external opthalmoplegia, facial, oropharyngeal, limb, and respiratory paralysis
Botulism toxin (blocks presynaptic mechanisms for release of Ach)
Anatomy of a peripheral n.:
_________ (individual fibers)–>perineurium (fasicles)–>epineurium (covers whole n.)
endoneurium
Myelinated vs unmyelinated:
- myelinated: _______ conduction
- unmyelinated: slower
saltatory conduction (fast and skips)
There are ____ types of A fibers that function in a variety of senses. They are all myelinated.
A
alpha, beta, gamma, delta
Put in order from fast to slow for the following A fibers:
- touch and pressure
- proprioception and somatic motor
- pain/cold/touch
- motor to muscle spindles
proprioception and somatic motor->touch and pressure->motor to muscle spindles->pain/cold/touch
What are some points of injury along a peripheral n.?
axon (axonal degeneration) myelin sheath (demyelination)
What are some general points of injury for a nerve? (4)
- cell body
- nerve root
- peripheral n.
- wallerian degeneration (severed nerve)
TQ: Pt presents with...dx? -pain in scapula/shoulder pain -numbness in fingers -weakness in deltoid/biceps
C6 nerve root lesion in neck
know the dermatomes!
Nerve root dysfunction that may be caused by structural (discs, tumros, etc) or non-structural conditions (DM, infections)
radiculopathy
What are the most common levels involved in radiculopathy?
Cervical:
- C5-6=C6 nerve root compression
- C6-7=C7 nerve root compression
Lumbar:
- L4-L5=L5 nerve root compression
- L5-S1=S1 nerve root compression
Pt presents with…Dx?
- pain in scapula/shoulder region
- sensory loss in lateral arm
- weakness upon shoulder abduction
- Biceps DTR loss
C5 nerve root radiculopathy
Pt presents with…Dx?
- pain in scapula/shoulder/proximal arm (biceps)
- sensory loss in the 1st and 2nd digit, lateral arm
- weakness upon shoulder abduction and elbow flexion
- Biceps DTR loss
C6 nerve root radiculopathy
Pt presents with…dx?
- pain in the scapula/shoulder/arm/elbow/forearm
- sensory loss in the 3rd digit
- weakness upon elbow ext, wrist ext
- Triceps DTR loss
C7 nerve root radiculopathy
Pt presents with….dx?
- pain in the scapula/shoulder/arm/medial forearm
- sensory loss of the 4th and 5th digit
- weakness upon finger abduction and finger flexion
- cant flex fingers (intrinsic mm. of hand)
C8 nerve root radiculopathy
Pt presents with…dx?
- pain in the antlat thigh, knee, medial calf
- sensory loss of the medial calf
- weakness upon hip flexion, knee extension
- Patella DTR loss
L4 nerve root radiculopathy
Pt presents with…dx?
- pain in the dorsolateral thigh and lateral calf
- sensory loss in the lat calf and dorsum of foot
- weakness upon foot dorsiflexion, inversion, eversion
- NO DTR LOSS
L5 nerve root radiculopathy
Pt presents with…dx?
- pain in the post thigh and post calf
- sensory loss in the postlat calf and lat foot
- weakness in hamstrings and foot plantarflexion
- Achilles DTR loss
Lumbosacral radiculopathy
What are the 3 categories we classify peripheral neuropathy as?
mononeuropathy
polyneuropathy
mononeuropathy multiplex
Pt presents with..dx?
- single nerve root affected
- specific pattern of sensory loss
- weakness only in specific mm.
mononeuropathy
Pt presents with…dx?
- diffuse, symmetrical disease-motor sensory or both
- stocking/glove sensory loss
- distal weakness, possible atrophy (legs first)
- hypo or arreflexia
- usually progressive
- acquired or inherited
polyneuropathy
A positive sensory symptom for peripheral neuropathy resulting in pins and needles sensation is a paresthesia secondary to ______ ______ fiber disease
large myelinated
A positive sensory symptom for peripheral neuropathy resulting in a burning sensation is pain secondary to _____ _________ fiber disease
small unmyelinated
What is a negative sensory symptom for peripheral neuropathy?
loss of sensation (vibration, pain, temp, etc.)
What are some motor symptoms for peripheral neuropathy?
- distal weakness
- cramps
- muscle fasciculations
- atrophy
- decreased deep tendon reflexes
- reduced tone
Large myelinated sensory fibers: impairment of…
- light touch (cotton swab)
- 2 pt
- vibration (128 Hz tuning fork)
- joint position sense
Small unmyelinated sensory fibers: impairment of…
- temperature perception
- pain perception (pin prick)
TQ: Nerve roots dont split fingers, so if 2 fingers are affected + pain in the neck then it is…
C6 radiculopathy
TQ: If all 3 fingers are affected then it is a peripheral nerve disease such as…
median n. peripheral neuropathy
TQ: If the entire 4th and 5th fingers are affected then the diagnosis could be…
C8 radiculopathy
TQ: What nerve is affected?
- wrist compression
- anterior interosseus compression
median n. entrapment neuropathy
TQ:What nerve is affected?
- elbow compression with recent elbow leaning
- froment sign
Ulnar n. entrapment neuropathy
TQ: What nerve is affected?
- spiral groove compression
- wrist drop (saturday night palsy)
Radial n. entrapment neuropathy
TQ: What nerve is affected?
- fibular neck compression
- foot drop, weak evertors
- sensory loss in dorsum of food
- crossing the legs, or elderly
peroneal n. entrapment neuropathy
TQ: What nerve is affected?
- inguinal ligament compressoin
- tight clothing/weight gain
- sensory loss in the lateral thigh
lateral femoral cutaenous n. entrapment neuropathy
TQ: Pt presents with CC of the outside of their calf being numb…how can we tell if it is a peroneal n. neuropathy or a radiculopathy?
the peroneal nerve allows for dorsiflexion, eversion
L5 nerve root allows for dosiflexion, everion AND INVERSION..
if inversion weak then L5 radiculopathy
if inversion strong then peroneal n.
T/F: In 25% of pts with peripheral neuropathy it is idiopathic
TRUE
Peripheral neuropathy etiology:
- hereditary
- metabolic (DM)
- endocrine (thyroid)
- infectious (mono, hep, lyme, HIV, leprosy, syphilis, herpes)
- immune mediated
- deficiency (B vitamans, E, Cu)
- toxins (alcohol, metals)
- idiopathic (__%)
- drug induced (phenytoin, isoniazid, alkaloids, etc)
- vasculitic (RA, SLE)
- Paraneoplastic (cancer)
25
What are the two types of chacot-marie-tooth neuropathies (hereditary motor sensory neuropathies)?
CMT I: most common & demyelinating
CMT II: axonal
Pt presents with..dx?
- autosomal dominant
- onset in adulthood
- distal symmetric atrophy (legs>arms)
- areflexia
- mild sensory loss
- EMG: normal motor nerve conduction loss (axonal loss)
CMT II