CONGENITAL AND BRAIN MALFORMATIONS 1.1 (based on Agsa T) Flashcards
What is important when examining pediatric patients with neurologic problems?
Obtaining a good pediatric neurologic examination, including history taking and physical examination.
What is the first question to ask when a patient presents with a neurologic abnormality?
Do you think that this is a neurologic problem?
What three key questions should the clinician answer using history and diagnostic studies?
- Is there a neurologic problem?\n
- What is the lesion?\n
- If there is a neurologic problem, is it in the upper motor neuron (UMN) or lower motor neuron (LMN)?
What is the most common distinguishing neurologic examination?
Getting the deep tendon reflexes (DTR).
What neurologic finding suggests an upper motor neuron (UMN) problem?
Hyperreflexia.
What neurologic finding suggests a lower motor neuron (LMN) problem?
Hyporeflexia.
What imaging is used for suspected upper motor neuron (UMN) problems?
Neuroimaging such as brain CT scan, brain MRI, and spinal cord MRI.
What tests are used for suspected lower motor neuron (LMN) problems?
Electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction velocity (NCV).
Why is knowing the temporal profile of a neurologic disease important?
It helps in hypothesizing the nature of the lesion and formulating differential diagnoses.
What temporal profile and symptom might suggest a vascular malformation in a pediatric patient?
A sudden, severe acute headache.
What temporal profile and symptom might suggest a migraine headache?
A chronic headache lasting more than 3 months, occurring on and off.
What question helps determine if a neurologic condition is focal or generalized?
Does it present with one-sided weakness or generalized weakness?
What neurologic condition is suspected in a patient with one-sided paralysis?
A stroke.
What neurologic condition is suspected in a patient with generalized weakness?
A condition affecting the cerebral hemisphere or an ascending paralysis.
What question helps determine if a neurologic condition is progressive or static?
Does the weakness or headache become more severe over time?
What condition is suggested by a static one-sided weakness present since birth?
Cerebral palsy.
What is the significance of the course of illness in diagnosing neurologic disorders?
It helps rule in or rule out particular neurologic disorders and aids in forming a good admitting and differential diagnosis.
What are the key causes of acute neurologic conditions?
Vascular/infarct (focal), hypoxic (diffuse), trauma (focal or diffuse).
What are the key causes of subacute neurologic conditions?
Inflammatory/infectious (focal or diffuse), immune-mediated (focal or multifocal), toxic/metabolic (diffuse).
What are the key causes of chronic neurologic conditions?
Congenital (focal or diffuse), degenerative (diffuse or system-related), neoplastic (focal).
What are the key causes of paroxysmal neurologic conditions?
Seizure (focal or diffuse), vascular/syncope (diffuse), pain/headache (focal or diffuse).
What are common facial features in fetal alcohol spectrum disorders?
Smooth philtrum, thin upper lip, upturned nose, flat nasal bridge, epicanthal folds, small palpebral fissures, and small head circumference.
What does dysmorphism refer to?
An abnormal shape or body feature that differs from normal appearance, often due to genetic or environmental factors.
Who needs a dysmorphology evaluation?
Patients with intrauterine growth retardation, abnormal facial features, congenital anomalies, microcephaly/macrocephaly, developmental delay, unusual behaviors, or significant regression in development.