Lecture 3: Peripheral Neuropathies Flashcards
The UMN neuroanatomy consists of? (3)
- Cortex
- Brainstem
- Spinal cord (Spinal Tracts)
The LMN Neuroanatomy consists of? (4)
- Anterior Horn Cells/ Cranial Nerve Nuclei
- Spinal Nerve roots and Peripheral Nerves (Includes Cranial Nerves and Autonomic)
- Neuromuscular Junction
- Muscle
In the Peripheral nervous system, one can experience what 4 motor abnormalities?
- Weakness
- Fasciculations
- Atrophy
- Areflexia
In the PNS, one can experience what kind of sensory problems? (3)
- Peripheral Nerve = Cutaneous Loss
- Polyneuropathy= Stocking-glove pattern of loss
- Spinal nerve root= Dermatome Pattern
In the PNS, one can experience what autonomic dysfunctions? … (4)
- Flushing (redness)
- Changes in HR, SOB, BP
- Incontinence, Constipation, Diarrhea
- Dry eyes/mouth
Based on the classification of motor unit disorders, what 4 areas can be effected?
- Motor neuron disease (Cell Body)
- Peripheral Neuropathies (Axon and Myelin)
- Disease of the NMJ
- Primary muscle disease (Myopathies)
What are the cranial nerves responsible for eye movement?
CN III, IV, and VI
The nerve responsible for the Lateral rectus muscle is
CN VI Abducens
What cranial nerve is responsible for Superior Oblique?
CN IV Trochlear
What cranial nerve is responsible for superior rectus, inferior rectus, medial rectus, and inferior oblique?
CN III Oculomotor nerve
All parts of the peripheral nerve are necessary for signal transmission. What are the 4 major categories for nerve injury pathogenesis?
- Neuronal degeneration
- Wallerian Degeneration
- Segmental Demyelination
- Axonal Degeneration
A normal nerve consists of?
Nerve cell body
- > Nucleus
- -> Axon
- –> Intermode
- —> Node of Ranvier
- —-> Shawn Cell
- —–> Nucleus
- ——> Motor End Plate
- ——-> Muscle
What occurs with Wallerian Degeneration?
The distal segment of the nerve deteriorates and begins to make sprouts
What happens with segmental demyelination?
Portions of the nerve lose their myelination, but not all of the nerve
What happens with axonal degeneration?
Portions of the axon degenerate and begin one giant section lacking myelin
This is when the cell body experiences damage with degeneration of Axons
Neuronal Degeneration
This is damage to the axon at a specific point with distal degeneration
Wallerian Degeneration
This is injury to the myelin sheath without injury to the axon
Segmental Demyelination
This is diffuse axonal damage. The distal portion furthest from the cell body undergoes earliest and most severe change. It causes initial symptoms in hands and feet with gradual, proximal accent and continued injury
Axonal Degeneration
What are the 2 classifications of Neuropathy?
- Mononeuropathy
2. Polyneuropathy
What are the (3) causes of Mononeuropathy?
- Nerve Entrapment
- Repetitive Motion Injury
- Trauma
What are the (5) causes of Polyneuropathy?
- Infections Disease (HIV)
- Inflammatory Disease (ADIP/GBS, CIDP)
- Other systemic Disease (DM, Critical Illness, vitamin Deficiency)
- Genetic Disorders (Charcot Marie Tooth
- Toxins (therapeutic Drugs i.e. chemo, Alcohol)
What are the 7 general diagnostic approaches to determining Neuropathy?
- Comprehensive history gathering
- Family history, Recent diseases, Traumas, Lifestyle, Temporal features of symptoms (Rate of onset-Acute, Subacute, chronic), signs/symptoms (Sensory, Motor, Autonomic, or mixed), distribution (Distal vs. Proximal, symmetric, Asymmetric, or multifocal) - General Physical Examination
- Neurological examination focusing of diagnostic possibilities
- Blood studies
- Lumbar Puncture to R/O GBS/AIDP and CIDP
- EMG/NCV (Single most important diagnostic test for eval of neuropathy and can determine whether it is primary axonal, demyelinating, or mixed)
- Possible nerve Biopsy
This is classified as an Acute, Inflammatory, Demyelinating polyneuropathy.
Guillain-Barre Syndrome
What are the general considerations for Guillain-Barre syndrome?
- Annual incidence ranging from 1-2 cases per 100,000
- AIDP accounts for 85-90% of cases
- GBS is the most common cause of acute neuromuscular paralysis in developed Countries
- 2:1 male to female ratio
- Variants: Acute motor axonal neuropathy (AMAN) and Acute motor sensory axonal Neuropathy (AMSAN) (10%); Miller Fisher (3-5%)
_________ accounts for 85-95% of Gillian-Barre syndrome
AIDP
What is the most common cause of Acute Neuromuscular paralysis in developed countries?
GBS
What is the ratio of GBS in males and females?
Males 2:1 Females
What are the 3 variants to GBS?
- Acute motor axonal Neuropathy (AMAN)
- Acute Motor Sensory Axonal Neuropathy (AMSAN) (10%)
- Miller Fisher (3-5%)
What is the Etiology for Gillian-Barre Syndrome?
- Immune Mediated Disorder (Inflammatory)
2. Preceding infection in about 60% of cases
What is the pathogenesis to Gillian-Barre Syndrome?
- Affects Myelin of peripheral nerves (Preferential to motor)
- Demyelinating: Attacks myelin sheath sparing the nerve cell and sparing the axon in most cases
What is the typical disease course for GBS?
Inciting infection => 1-3 weeks until symptom onset ==> 1-4 weeks to reach Nadir ===> Plateau for 2-4 weeks ====> Recovery 1-2 years+
What are the signs and symptoms associated with GBS? (6)
- Initial Paresthesias, usually hands and feet
- Symmetric weakness with (usually) normal sensation
- Ascending weakness distal to proximal and possible autonomic
- Flaccid paralysis with diminished or absent reflexes
- CN Involvement, especially weakness of facial Muscles
- May require ventilation due to respiratory failure
What are the 5 key diagnostic studies for GBS?
- Imaging of spinal cord
- Lumbar Puncture (Electrophoresis)
- Elevated protein levels in CSF with normal cell count
- CSF protein concentration begins to rise a few days after onset of symptoms and peaks in 4-6 weeks - Blood Test (to test for infectious agents)
- EMG
- Decrease Motor Unit Recruitment = decreased interference pattern
- If damage, it may not show for up to 2 weeks due to the length of the nerve - NCV: Slowed, Often minimal sensory slowing, Prolonged distal latencies
What is the differential diagnosis for GBS? (5)
- Acute Spinal cord disease
- Brain stem ischemia
- Myasthenia Gravis
- Botulinum Intoxication
- CIDP
What is the Medical Management course for GBS? (2)
- Intravenous Immunoglobulin G (IVIG)
- Plasmapheresis
- One or the other, both does not = more benefit
- Steroids have failed to show benefits in the treatment of GBS
What is the prognosis for GBS?
Most patients with GBS return to normal function
How long till full recovery of motor strength occurs in GBS?
At one year, full recovery of motor strength occurs in about 60% of patients
How often does GBS occur in an individual?
Often a One-time episode. (Does not reoccur)