Exam Flashcards
Diagnostic tests for viral meningitis? (3)
Viral culture of throat swab, stool
Viral PCR on CSF
Distinguishing features of viral encephalitis? (2)
Focal neurological deficit
Decreased GCS
Important features of the history to ask about in viral encephalitis? (2)
Recent travel, occupational exposure
Bacterial meningitis causative organisms:
a) old/immunosuppressed
b) neonates
c) young children/ older childen/adults
a) consider listeria, TB
b) group b strep, listeria, E.coli
c) pneumococcal, meningococcal
Initial blind antibiotic therapy in suspected bacterial meningitis
IV cefotaxime + amoxicillin if listeria suspected
Also give steroids with first dose
Antibiotic for confirmed meningococcal meningitis
Benzylpenicillin/ampicillin
When is meningitis contact prophylaxis required and what is given?
Meningococcal; ciprofloxacin
70% of mutations in Duchenne MD are..
Large deletions in the dystrophin gene
What area of the brain is atrophied prominently in Huntingtons?
The caudate nucleus
Genes causing autosomal dominant Alzheimers (3)
APP
presenilin 1 and 2
Bilateral acoustic neuromas are a sign of what inherited condition?
Neurofibromatosis 2
Features which distinguish tuberous sclerosis from NF?(3)
Shagreen patches
Subungual fibromas
Epilepsy
CT findings in subdural haemorrhage
Crescent-shaped hyperdensity (acute) or hypodense (chronic)
Surgical management of subdural haemorrhage
Burr hole
Craniotomy + drainage
Medical conditions which predispose to Berry aneurysms?
Ehlers-Danlos
adult polycystic kidney disease
Feature of the history/imaging which points strongly to a diagnosis of extra dural haemorrhage?
Lucid period
Imaging- lentiform hyperdensity (limited by skull sutures)
What is the commonest cause of encephalitis and what area of the brain does it usually affect?
Herpes simplex; temporal lobe
