Minicases Flashcards
What are the key physical exam items for headache?
- vitals
- inspection and palpation of entire head
- neuro exam WITH fundoscopic exam
Top 5 differential:
21 yo F presents with several episodes of
throbbing left temporal pain that lasts
for 2–3 hours. Prior to its onset, she sees
flashes of light in her right visual field
and feels weakness and numbness on the
right side of her body for a few minutes.
Headaches are often associated with
nausea and vomiting. She has a family
history of migraine.
- Migraine (complicated)
- Tension headache
- Cluster headache
- Pseudotumor cerebri
- Trigeminal neuralgia
longshots: trigeminal neuralgia, CNS vasculitis, partial seizure, intracranial neoplasm
Top 5 workup:
21 yo F presents with several episodes of
throbbing left temporal pain that lasts
for 2–3 hours. Prior to its onset, she sees
flashes of light in her right visual field and feels weakness and numbness on the right side of her body for a few minutes.
Headaches are often associated with nausea and vomiting. She has a family history of migraine.
- CBC
- ESR
- CT - head
- MRI - brain
- LP
Top 5 most important Hx items:
21 yo F presents with several episodes of
throbbing left temporal pain that lasts for 2–3 hours. Prior to its onset, she sees flashes of light in her right visual field and feels weakness and numbness on the
right side of her body for a few minutes. Headaches are often associated with nausea and vomiting. She has a family history of migraine.
- THROBBING
- UNILATERAL
- ASSOCIATED NEURO (FLASHES OF LIGHT/WEAKNESS/NUMBNESS)
- NAUSEA/VOMITING
- FAMILY HX
top 5 differential:
26 yo M presents with severe right
temporal headaches associated with
ipsilateral rhinorrhea, eye tearing, and
redness. Episodes have occurred at the same time every night for the past week and last for 45 minutes.
- Cluster headache
- migraine
- tension headache
- sinusitis
- pseudotumor cerebri
top 5 workup:
26 yo M presents with severe right temporal headaches associated with ipsilateral rhinorrhea, eye tearing, and redness. Episodes have occurred at the same time every night for the past week and last for 45 minutes.
- CBC
- ESR
- CT - head
- MRI - brain
- LP
top 5 differential:
65 yo F presents with severe, intermittent
right temporal headache, fever, blurred
vision in her right eye, and pain in her
jaw when chewing.
- temporal arteritis
- migraine
- cluster headache
- tension headache
- meningitis
top 5 workup:
65 yo F presents with severe, intermittent
right temporal headache, fever, blurred
vision in her right eye, and pain in her
jaw when chewing.
- CBC
- ESR
- CRP
- temporal artery biopsy
- carotid doppler
top 5 differential:
30 yo F presents with frontal headache,
fever, and nasal discharge. There is pain
on palpation of the frontal and maxillary
sinuses. She has a history of sinusitis.
- sinusitis
- migraine
- tension headache
- meningitis
- intracranial neoplasm
top 5 workup:
30 yo F presents with frontal headache,
fever, and nasal discharge. There is pain
on palpation of the frontal and maxillary
sinuses. She has a history of sinusitis.
- CBC
- Xray - sinus
- CT - sinus
- LP
top 5 workup:
25 yo M presents with high fever, severe
headache, confusion, photophobia, and
nuchal rigidity. Kernig’s and Brudzinski’s
signs are positive.
- CBC
- CT - head
- MRI - brain
- LP - CSF analysis including cell count, protein, glucose, gram stain, PCR for antigens and Cx)
Diagnosis and top 5 workup:
18 yo obese F presents with a pulsatile
headache, vomiting, and blurred vision
for the past 2–3 weeks. She is taking
OCPs.
Pseudotumor cerebri
- Urine hCG
- CBC
- CT - head
- LP - opening pressure and CSF analysis
top 5 differential:
57 yo M c/o daily pain in the right cheek
over the past month. The pain is electric
and stabbing in character and occurs
while he is shaving. Each episode lasts
2–4 minutes.
- trigeminal neuralgia
- tension headache
- migraine
- cluster headache
- TMJ dysfunction
top 3 workup:
57 yo M c/o daily pain in the right cheek
over the past month. The pain is electric
and stabbing in character and occurs
while he is shaving. Each episode lasts
2–4 minutes.
- CBC
- ESR
- MRI - brain
Top 10 key Hx items for CC of confusion/memory loss? What else is important about Hx gathering in this patient?
- Must include Hx from family members/caregivers
1. time course of cognitive deficits (acute vs chronic)
2. associated symptoms (constitutional, incontinence, ataxia, hypothyroid, depression)
3. waxing/waning nature (delirium)
4. recent falls
5. meds and recent med changes
6. hx of stroke or other vascular dx
7. STDs (syphilis)
8. HIV risk factors
9. EtOH use and nutritional status (B12)
10. FHx of cognitive deficits (Alzheimers)
top 9 key physical exam items for confusion/memory loss?
- vitals
- complete neuro exam
- mini-mental status
- gait
- ENT
- cardiac
- pulmonary
- abdominal
- extremities
top 5 ddx:
81 yo M presents with progressive confusion over the past several years together with forgetfulness and clumsiness. He has a history of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and two strokes with residual left hemiparesis. His mental status has clearly worsened after each stroke (stepwise decline in cognitive function).
- vascular dementia (multi-infarct)
- alzheimers
- NPH
- chronic subdural
- intracranial tumor
Ones w/ very specific hx items: B12 deficiency (nutrition), depression (SIGECAPS), neurosyphilis (promiscuity), hypothyroid (younger, cold intolerance, etc)
top 5 workup:
81 yo M presents with progressive confusion over the past several years together with forgetfulness and clumsiness. He has a history of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and two strokes with residual left hemiparesis. His mental status has clearly worsened after each stroke (stepwise decline in cognitive function).
- CBC
- VDRL/RPR
- serum B12
- TSH
- MRI - brain
top 5 ddx:
84 yo F brought by her son c/o forgetfulness (e.g., forgets phone numbers, loses her way back home) along with diffi culty performing some of her daily activities (e.g., bathing, dressing, managing money, using the phone). The problem has gradually progressed over the past few years.
- alzheimers
- vascular dementia
- depression
- hypothyroidism
- chronic subdural
top 5 workup:
84 yo F brought by her son c/o forgetfulness (e.g., forgets phone numbers, loses her way back home) along with diffi culty performing some of her daily activities (e.g., bathing, dressing, managing money, using the phone). The problem has gradually progressed over the past few years.
- CBC
- VDRL/RPR
- serum B12
- TSH
- MRI - brain
top 5 ddx:
72 yo M presents with memory loss, gait
disturbance, and urinary incontinence for
the past six months.
- NPH
- alzheimers
- vascular dementia
- chronic subdural
- intracranial neoplasm
top 5 workup:
72 yo M presents with memory loss, gait
disturbance, and urinary incontinence for
the past six months.
- CT - head
- LP - opening pressure and analysis
- serum B12
- VDRL/RPR
- TSH
top 5 ddx:
55 yo M presents with a rapidly progressive change in mental status, inability to concentrate, and memory impairment for the past two months. His symptoms are associated with myoclonus and ataxia.
- CJD
- vascular dementia
- lewy body dx
- wernicke’s encephelopathy
- NPH
top 5 workup:
55 yo M presents with a rapidly progressive change in mental status, inability to concentrate, and memory impairment for the past two months. His symptoms are associated with myoclonus and ataxia.
- CBC
- BMP (electrolytes and Ca)
- serum B12
- VDRL/RPR
- MRI - brain
top 5 ddx:
70 yo insulin-dependent diabetic M
presents with episodes of confusion,
dizziness, palpitation, diaphoresis, and
weakness.
- hypoglycemia
- TIA
- arrhythmia
- delirium
- angina
top 5 workup:
70 yo insulin-dependent diabetic M
presents with episodes of confusion,
dizziness, palpitation, diaphoresis, and
weakness.
- glucose (fingerstick, then serum)
- CBC
- BMP (electrolytes)
- echo
- ECG
top 4 workup:
55 yo F presents with gradual altered mental status and headache. Two weeks ago she slipped, hit her head on the ground, and lost consciousness for two minutes
- non-con CT - head
- BMP (electrolytes)
- MRI - brain
- LP
top 7 key Hx items for depressed mood (other than SIGECAPS)?
Sleep Interest Guilt Energy Concentration Appetite Psychomotor slowing Suicidality
- timing (onset and duration)
- drugs and EtOH
- life stressors
- social functioning
- FHx of mood disorders
- prior episodes
- meds
key PE and psychological “PE” items for depressed mood?
Traditional PE:
- vitals
- HEENT
- neuro exam
- mini-mental
Psych PE:
- appearance
- behavior
- speech
- mood
- affect
- though process
- thought content
- cognition (mini-mental measures this)
- insight
- judgement
top 5 ddx:
68 yo M presents with a two-month history of crying spells, excessive sleep, poor hygiene, and a 7-kg weight loss, all following his wife’s death. He cannot enjoy time with his grandchildren and reluctantly admits to thinking he has seen his dead wife in line at the supermarket or standing in the kitchen making dinner.
*two months is cutoff in time for differentiation b/w bereavement and MDD (might also be diagnosed 2/2 marked impairment, worthlessness, psychosis or suicidal ideation
- normal bereavement
- adjustment disorder w/ depressed mood
- major depressive disorder
- schizoaffective disorder
- depressive disorder NOS
top 3 workup:
68 yo M presents with a two-month history of crying spells, excessive sleep, poor hygiene, and a 7-kg weight loss, all following his wife’s death. He cannot enjoy time with his grandchildren and reluctantly admits to thinking he has seen his dead wife in line at the supermarket or standing in the kitchen making dinner.
- TSH
- CBC
- urine toxicology
top 4 ddx:
42 yo F presents with a four-week history of excessive fatigue, insomnia, and anhedonia. She states that she thinks constantly about death. She has suffered fi ve similar episodes in the past, the fi rst in her 20s, and has made two previous suicide attempts. She further admits to increased alcohol use in the past month.
- MDD
- substance-induced mood disorder
- dysthmia
- adjustment disorder
top 4 workup:
42 yo F presents with a four-week history of excessive fatigue, insomnia, and anhedonia. She states that she thinks constantly about death. She has suffered fi ve similar episodes in the past, the fi rst in her 20s, and has made two previous suicide attempts. She further admits to increased alcohol use in the past month.
- blood alcohol
- urine toxicology
- TSH
- CBC
top 5 ddx:
26 yo F presents with a 3-kg weight loss over the past two months, accompanied by early-morning awakening, excessive guilt, and psychomotor retardation. She does not identify a trigger for the depressive episode but reports several weeks of increased energy, sexual promiscuity, irresponsible spending, and racing thoughts approximately six months before her presentation.
- bipolar I
- bipolar II
- cyclothymia
- MDD
- schizoaffective disorder
1 item for workup:
26 yo F presents with a 3-kg weight loss over the past two months, accompanied by early-morning awakening, excessive guilt, and psychomotor retardation. She does not identify a trigger for the depressive episode but reports several weeks of increased energy, sexual promiscuity, irresponsible spending, and racing thoughts approximately six months before her presentation.
urine toxicology
top 8 key Hx items for psychosis?
- positive Sxs: delusions, hallucinations, disorganized thoughts
- negative Sxs: blunted affect, social withdrawal, decreased motivation, decreased speech/thought
- cognitive Sxs: disorganized speech/thought
- paranoia
- age of first Sx onset
- previous hospitalizations for similar Sxs
- previous psych meds
- EtOH or substance abuse
top 5 ddx:
19 yo M c/o receiving messages from his television set. He reports that he did not have many friends in high school. In college, he started to suspect his roommate of bugging the phone. In the same time frame, he stopped going to classes because he felt that his professors were saying horrible things about him that no one else noticed. He rarely showered or left his room and has recently been hearing a voice from his television set telling him to “guard against the evil empire.”
- schizophrenia
- schizoid or schizotypal personality disorder
- schizophreniform disorder
- psychotic disorder 2/2 general medical condition
- substance-induced psychosis
top 4 workup:
19 yo M c/o receiving messages from his television set. He reports that he did not have many friends in high school. In college, he started to suspect his roommate of bugging the phone. In the same time frame, he stopped going to classes because he felt that his professors were saying horrible things about him that no one else noticed. He rarely showered or left his room and has recently been hearing a voice from his television set telling him to “guard against the evil empire.”
- urine toxicology
- TSH
- CBC
- BMP (electrolytes)
top 5 ddx:
28 yo F c/o seeing bugs crawling on her bed over the past two days and reports hearing loud voices when she is alone in her room. She has never experienced symptoms such as these in the past. She recently ingested an unknown substance.
- substance-induced psychosis
- brief psychotic disorder
- schizophreniform disorder
- schizophrenia
- psychotic disorder due to a general medical condition
top 5 workup:
28 yo F c/o seeing bugs crawling on her bed over the past two days and reports hearing loud voices when she is alone in her room. She has never experienced symptoms such as these in the past. She recently ingested an unknown substance.
- urine toxicology
- TSH
- CBC
- CMP (electrolytes + LFTs)
- BUN/Cr
top 5 ddx:
48 yo F presents with a one-week history
of auditory hallucinations, stating, “I am
worthless” and “I should kill myself.” She
also reports a two-week history of weight
loss, early-morning awakening, decreased
motivation, and overwhelming feelings
of guilt.
- schizoaffective disorder
- mood disorder w/ psychotic features
- schizophrenia
- schizophreniform disorder
- psychotic disorder due to a general medical condition
top 3 workup:
48 yo F presents with a one-week history
of auditory hallucinations, stating, “I am
worthless” and “I should kill myself.” She
also reports a two-week history of weight
loss, early-morning awakening, decreased
motivation, and overwhelming feelings
of guilt.
- TSH
- CBC
- BMP (electrolytes)
top 10 key hx items for dizziness?
- lightheaded vs vertigo
- auditory Sxs (hearing loss, tinnitus)
- duration of episodes
- context (ie, positioning, head trauma, etc)
- visual Sxs
- URI
- nausea
- neck pain or recent injury
- meds
- Hx of atherosclerotic or vascular Dx
top 10 key PE items for dizziness?
- vitals
- neuro exam
- romberg
- nystagmus
- Dix hallpike (just mention)
- gait
- hearing
- weber and rinne
- HEENT
- CV exam
top 5 ddx:
35 yo F presents with intermittent
episodes of vertigo, tinnitus, nausea, and
hearing loss over the past week.
- Menieres dx
- vestibular neuronitis
- labyrinthitis
- BPV
- acoustic neuroma
top 4 workup:
35 yo F presents with intermittent
episodes of vertigo, tinnitus, nausea, and
hearing loss over the past week.
- CBC
- VDRL/RPR
- dix hallpike
- MRI - brain
top 5 ddx:
55 yo F c/o dizziness for the past day.
She feels faint and has severe diarrhea
that started two days ago. She takes
furosemide for her hypertension.
- orthostatic hypotension due to dehydration
- vestibular neuronitis
- labyrinthitis
- BPV
- vertebrobasilar insufficiency
top 5 workup:
55 yo F c/o dizziness for the past day.
She feels faint and has severe diarrhea
that started two days ago. She takes
furosemide for her hypertension.
- orthostatic vitals
- CBC
- BMP (electrolytes)
- stool exam for blood and fecal leukocytes
- dix hallpike
top 5 ddx:
65 yo M presents with postural dizziness
and unsteadiness. He has hypertension
and was started on hydrochlorothiazide
two days ago.
- drug induced orthostatic hypotension
- vestibular neuronitis
- labyrinthitis
- BPV
- brain stem/cerebellar tumor
top 5 workup:
65 yo M presents with postural dizziness
and unsteadiness. He has hypertension
and was started on hydrochlorothiazide
two days ago.
- orthostatic vitals
- CBC
- BMP (electrolytes)
- BUN/Cr
- MRI - brain
top 5 ddx:
44 yo F c/o dizziness on moving her
head to the left. She feels that the room
is spinning around her head. Tilt test
results in nystagmus and nausea.
- BPV
- vestibular neuronitis
- labyrinthitis
- menieres dx
- brain neoplasm
top 3 workup:
44 yo F c/o dizziness on moving her
head to the left. She feels that the room
is spinning around her head. Tilt test
results in nystagmus and nausea.
- MRI - brain
- dix hallpike
- audiogram
top 5 ddx:
55 yo F c/o dizziness that started this morning. She is nauseated and has vomited once in the past day. She had a URI two days ago and has experienced no hearing loss.
- vestibular neuronitis
- labyrinthitis
- menieres dx
- BPV
- spinal dx/injury
top 5 workup:
55 yo F c/o dizziness that started this morning. She is nauseated and has vomited once in the past day. She had a URI two days ago and has experienced no hearing loss.
- dix hallpike
- CBC
- BMP
- electronystagmography
- MRI/MRA - brain
top 5 ddx:
55 yo F c/o dizziness that started this
morning and of “not hearing well.” She
feels nauseated and has vomited once in
the past day. She had a URI two days ago.
- labyrinthitis
- vestibular neuronitis
- menieres dx
- acoustic neuroma
- vertebrobasilar insufficiency
top 4 workup:
55 yo F c/o dizziness that started this
morning and of “not hearing well.” She
feels nauseated and has vomited once in
the past day. She had a URI two days ago.
- audiogram
- electronystagmography
- MRI/MRA - brain
- dix hallpike/tilt test
top 10 key Hx items for LOC?
- *WITNESSES???**
1. preceding Sxs (nausea, diaphoresis, palpitations, pallor, lightheadedness)
2. context (exertional, postural, traumatic, stress, painful, experience of claustrophobia, dehydration)
3. tongue-biting
4. incontinence
5. movements (tonic-clonic)
6. post-ictal state (confusion)
7. dyspnea
8. personal or FHx of CVD
9. arrhythmia
10. EtOH or drug use
top 5 key PE items for LOC?
- vitals, including orthostatics
- complete neuro exam
- CV exam (include carotid auscultation)
- pulmonary exam
- LE exam (signs of vascular Dx)
top 5 ddx:
26 yo M presents after falling and losing consciousness at work. He had rhythmic movements of the limbs, bit his tongue, and lost control of his bladder. He was subsequently confused (as witnessed by his colleagues).
- seizure (complex tonic-clonic [grand mal])
- convulsive syncope
- substance abuse/OD
- hypoglycemia
- malingering
top 7 workup:
26 yo M presents after falling and losing consciousness at work. He had rhythmic movements of the limbs, bit his tongue, and lost control of his bladder. He was subsequently confused (as witnessed by his colleagues).
- CBC
- BMP w/ glucose
- EEG
- MRI - brain
- CT - head (noncon, if hit)
- ECG (this becomes number one if CV cause suspected)
- LP - CSF analysis
top 9 key Hx items for numbness or weakness?
- distribution
- duration
- progression
- pain (esp. headache, neck or back pain)
- consitutional Sxs
- other neuro Sxs
- Hx of diabetes
- EtOH use
- vascular Dx
top 4 key PE items for numbness or weakness?
- vitals
- neuro exam
- MSK exam
- vascular exam (peripheral pulses)
top 5 ddx:
68 yo M presents following a 20-minute episode of slurred speech, right facial drooping and numbness, and right hand weakness. His symptoms had totally resolved by the time he got to the ER. He has a history of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and heavy smoking.
- TIA
- hypoglycemia
- seizure
- stroke
- facial nerve palsy
top 9 workup:
68 yo M presents following a 20-minute episode of slurred speech, right facial drooping and numbness, and right hand weakness. His symptoms had totally resolved by the time he got to the ER. He has a history of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and heavy smoking.
- CBC
- glucose
- BMP
- ECG
- CT - head
- MRI - brain
- Doppler - carotids
- echo
- EEG
top 5 ddx:
68 yo M presents with slurred speech, right facial drooping and numbness, and right hand weakness. Babinski’s sign is present on the right. He has a history of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and heavy smoking.
- stroke
- TIA
- seizure
- intracranial neoplasm
- subdural/epidural hematoma
top 6 workup:
68 yo M presents with slurred speech, right facial drooping and numbness, and right hand weakness. Babinski’s sign is present on the right. He has a history of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and heavy smoking.
- CBC
- BMP
- PT/PTT
- CT - head
- MRI - brain
- Doppler - carotids
top 5 ddx:
33 yo F presents with ascending loss of
strength in her lower legs over the past
two weeks. She had a recent URI
- Guillan barre
- MS
- polymyositis
- myasthenia
- peripheral neuropathy
top 7 workup:
33 yo F presents with ascending loss of
strength in her lower legs over the past
two weeks. She had a recent URI
- CBC
- BMP
- CPK
- LP - CSF analysis
- MRI - spine
- EMG/nerve conduction study
- tensilon test
top 5 ddx:
30 yo F presents with weakness, loss of sensation, and tingling in her left leg that started this morning. She is also experiencing right eye pain, decreased vision, and double vision. She reports feeling “electric shocks” down her spine upon fl exing her head.
- MS
- stroke
- conversion disorder
- malingering
- CNS tumor
top 5 workup:
30 yo F presents with weakness, loss of sensation, and tingling in her left leg that started this morning. She is also experiencing right eye pain, decreased vision, and double vision. She reports feeling “electric shocks” down her spine upon fl exing her head.
- CBC
- VDRL/RPR
- MRI - brain
- LP - CSF analysis
- retinal evoked potentials
top 5 ddx:
55 yo M presents with tingling and
numbness in the hands and feet (gloveand-
stocking distribution) over the past
two months. He has a history of diabetes
mellitus, hypertension, and alcoholism.
There is decreased soft touch, vibratory,
and position sense in the feet.
- diabetic peripheral neuropathy
- alcoholic peripheral neuropathy
- B12 deficiency
- hypocalcemia
- hyperventilation
top 5 workup:
55 yo M presents with tingling and
numbness in the hands and feet (gloveand-
stocking distribution) over the past
two months. He has a history of diabetes
mellitus, hypertension, and alcoholism.
There is decreased soft touch, vibratory,
and position sense in the feet.
- HbA1C
- ESR
- Ca (&BMP)
- serum B12
- serum and urine protein electrophoresis (for paraprotienemia/myeloma)
top 5 ddx:
40 yo F presents with occasional double
vision and droopy eyelids at night with
normalization by morning.
- myasthenia gravis
- horner’s syndrome
- MS
- intracranial tumor (sp., compressing CN III, IV or VI)
- ALS
top 6 workup:
40 yo F presents with occasional double
vision and droopy eyelids at night with
normalization by morning.
- tensilon test
- ACh receptor Abs
- CXR
- CT - chest
- MRI - brain
- EMG
top 5 ddx:
25 yo M presents with hemiparesis (after
a tonic-clonic seizure) that resolves over
a few hours.
- Todd’s paralysis
- TIA
- stroke
- complicated migraine
- malingering
top 5 workup:
25 yo M presents with hemiparesis (after
a tonic-clonic seizure) that resolves over
a few hours.
- CBC
- BMP (repeat x3 over several hours)
- EEG
- MRI - brain
- U/S - carotids
top 10 unique Hx items for excessive fatigue and sleepiness?
- sleep hygiene
- snoring
- waking up w/ choking/gasping
- witnessed apnea
- overexertion
- stress levels
- depression/other emotional issues
- recent lifestyle changes
- shift changes at work
- recent weight changes
Top 3 ROS areas to focus for excessive fatigue and sleepiness?
- thyroid
- blood/bleeding/clotting
- CV
top 7 key PE items for excessive fatigue and sleepiness?
- vitals
- head and neck (conjuctival pallor, oropharynx/palate, LAN, thyroid)
- CV
- pulmonary
- abdominal exam
- neuro exam
- rectal w/ OBT
top 5 ddx:
40 yo F c/o feeling tired, hopeless,
and worthless and of having suicidal
thoughts. She recently discovered that
her husband is homosexual.
- depression
- adjustment disorder
- hypothyroidism
- anemia