diseases of peripheral nerves Flashcards
what are the main features of myasthenia gravis?
weakness and fatigability that is improved with rest
what is the onset of MG like?
usually insidious, but can be made evident by a coincidental dental infection that exacerbates the sx
who is normally diagnosed with MG?
young women and older men
what is the PP of MG?
antibodies directed against the acetylcholine receptor on the muscle surface that can cause an increased rate of receptor distruction leading to weakness
what are the clinical features of MG?
- ptosis
- diplopia (60% of pts have these two)
- difficulty in chewing or swallowing
- respiratory difficulty
- limb weakness
(2 clinical forms- ocular weakness or genearlized that affects ocular, bulbar,limb and respirator muscles
how often do the sx present? (MG)
can fluctuate in intensity during the day, tendency to have longer term spontaneous relapses and remission that may last for weeks
what should the clinical exam reveal? MG
weakness and fatigability of the affected muscles that improves with rest
- normal sensations
- no reflex changes
how is the diagnosis confirmed? MG
clinical improvement after a short acting anticholinesterase (edrophonium)
TENSILON TEST
dx studies fo MG
- chest CT or MRI to r/o coexsiting thymoma
- electrophysiologic studies-show decremating muscle response
- serum assay for elevated levels of acetylcholine receptor antibodies (positive in 80-90% of pts)
- MuSK antibody (muscle -specific tyrosine kinase)
mainstay tx of MG
cholinesterase inhibitor-pyridostigmine
prevents destruction of acetylcholine by acetylchoinesterase and allows the transmission of nerve impulses across the neuromuscular junction
-thymectomy
ADR of pyridostigmine
-cholinergic crisis, AV block, bradycardia, hypotension
-Skin rash (bromide)
Muscarinic
nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, increased peristalsis, increased salivation, increased bronchial secretions, miosis and diaphoresis
Nicotinic
muscle cramps, fasciculation and weakness
what disease is pyridostigmine contraindicated in?
urinary or bowel obstruction or use in asthma/COPD pts (iprtropium, tiotropium)
what is a cholingergic crisis?
Increasing muscle weakness Can be difficult to distinguish from worsening MG Differentiate with the Tensilon test Administer edrophonium If weakness worsens = cholinergic crisis If weakness improves = myasthenic crisis
how do you tx a cholingergic crisis?
with atropine
what are bulblar sx?
dysarthria, dysphagia, facial weakness,weakness of mastication
**respiratory compromise
guillian barre syndreom
idiopathic polynerupoathy often following minor infections, immuiations or surgical prcecures
what infection is related to GBS?
lung and GI infections
what is the most common precipitant of GBS?
campylobacter jejuni , can also see EBV, CMV, HIV
what are the CF of GBS?
symmetrical extremity weakness that begins distally and ascends, proximal muscles ten to be affected more often than distal muscles
“rubbery legs” that tend to buckle
- may have sensory deficits
- pain (deep aching pain)
what will happen to DTRs in GBS?
may be decreased or absent
can GS be life threatening?
yes, if it involves the muscles of respiration or swallowing- most pts will need ventilation assistance
what willl electrophysiologic studies reveal in GBS?
slowing of nerve conduction velocities, both motor and sensory
-denervation or axonal loss
what cranial nerve can also be affected in GBS?
facial (if its alone then bells palsy)
what kind of sensory loss can be expected with GBS?
proprioception and areflexia
what are some anatomic symptoms that may be seen w/ GBS?
-autonomic dysfxn: tachycardia, cardiac irregularities, labile blood pressure, disturbed sweating, impaired pulmonary fxn, sphincter disturbances, paralytic ileus