Fundamentals of neurology

Question 1

If neurological symptoms come on in seconds-minutes, what is the likely cause?

Answer 1

Vascular (eg. stroke, subarachnoid)

Question 2

If neurological symptoms come on in hours-days, what is the likely cause?

Answer 2

Inflammatory (eg. MS, abscess)

Question 3

If neurological symptoms come on in weeks-months, what is the likely cause?

Answer 3

space-occupying lesion (eg. tumour, subdural)

Question 4

If neurological symptoms come on in months-years, what is the likely cause?

Answer 4

degenerative (Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s)

Question 5

What questions are important to ask in a neurological history?

Answer 5

Where is the problem? (neurological? what parts of nervous system affected?)

What is the problem? (onset, has it changed?)

Why is it a problem? (effect on them, why have they presented now?)

Why did it happen? (risk factors, meds, other conditions, FH)

Question 6

What is Brown-Sequard syndrome?

Answer 6

rare neurological condition characterised by a lesion in the spinal cord which results in weakness or paralysis on one side of the body and a loss of sensation on the opposite side