Miscellaneous_PretestStepup Flashcards
In a pt with vertigo, what is the best test to r/o ischemic event = central vertigo - more worrisome vs peripheral vertigo?
MRI w/ contrast - Detect stroke, tumor, demyelination (MS)
What is the main distinguishing Sx of CENTRAL VERTIGO? of PERIPHERAL VERTIGO?
CENTRAL: + Neighborhood focal neurologic deficits (hemiparesis, hemisensory deficits, diplopia, dysarthria, dysphagia)
PERIPHERAL: + Tinnitus/hearing loss
What is the clinical triad of MENRIERS?
TINNITUS + VERTIGO + HEARING LOSS
What is a very useful agent for vertigo? What properties does this medication have?
MECLIZINE - Anti-emetic, anti-cholinergic, anti-histamine
What is the typical Tx for BPPV?
EPPLEY MANEUVER
What is the typical Tx for VESTIBULAR NEURITIS/LABYRINTHITIS?
Steroids + Meclizine
What is the typical Tx for MENRIER’S DISEASE?
Salt restriction + HCTZ + Meclizine
What are the 2 main ways to distinguish between SYNCOPE and SEIZURE?
1) LOC Duration - Syncope LOC duration «_space;Seizure LOC if there is LOC
2) Bladder control - Seizure (+ Urinary/fecal incontinence) and Syncope (- Urinary incontinence= bladder control is NOT retained)
What are the 2 types of SYNCOPE that occur when pt is upright (sitting or standing)?
VASOVAGAL (Neurocardiogenic, vasodepressor, simple faints)
VASCULAR: ORTHOSTATIC
What are possible life-threatening causes of SYNCOPE if it is exertional?
HCM
AORTIC STENOSIS
Which type of syncope can a TILT-TABLE STUDY reproduce Sx in particularly susceptible people?
VASOVAGAL SYNCOPE
What is the proposed pathophysiology of VASOVAGAL SYNCOPE?
NORMAL: Standing up (Venous pooling -> Decrease ECV -> Decrease SV -> Decrease CO -> Decrease MAP) -> Enhanced SNS (tachy + vasoconstriction) + Decreased PNS
VASOVAGAL: Paradoxical withdrawal of SNS + Enhanced PNS -> Bradycardia, Vasodilation, Marked Decrease BP, Decreased cerebral perfusion
What is a physical maneuver to treat VASOVAGAL? What are two possible pharmacological medications to treat VASOVAGAL SYNCOPE?
Recumbent position + raise legs
BETA BLOCKERS/ DISOPYRAMIDE (Class IA)
What is the treatment of VASCULAR: ORTHOSTATIC syncope?
Na+ intake
Fluids
Possible consideration of FLUDROCORTISONE
What is the most important decision making factor in SYNCOPE pts?
GOAL #1: To determine if it is CARDIOGENIC or NON-CARDIOGENIC: Determine if pt has/doesn’t have structural heart disease + Abnormal EKG
CARDIOGENIC = Worst prognosis NON-CARDIOGENIC = Better prognosis
If pt does NOT have heart disease and SYNCOPE is unexplained, what becomes the most important test for evaluating for VASOVAGAL or VASCULAR: ORTHOSTATIC?
TILT TABLE TEST- Will be POSITIVE in vasovagal and orthostatic syncope
What test is done on ALL syncopal pts?
EKG - Because it can identify any life-threatening causes (Vtach, other arrhythmia, MI)
What is the most common age group of ALS? What is affected in this pathology?
Between 50-70
Anterior horn + CST + CBT - Only MOTOR involvement (PROGRESSIVE MUSCLE WEAKNESS) = LMN + UMN signs
What major organ is involved in END-STAGE ALS? What is the progression to end-stage?
RESPIRATORY MUSCLE WEAKNESS
Initially -> DOE dyspnea on exertion -> ORTHOPNEA at rest -> SLEEP APNEA -> RESPIRATORY FAILURE (END-STAGE)
What is the classic presentation of an ALS pt? (Remember Dr. Belsh’s pts)
A 50yo male whose muscles have atrophied, fasciculations seen in triceps, increased tone, hyper-reflexic, slurred speech, weight loss/fatigue, but has no associated pain
NORMAL/unaffected: Sensory, cognition, bowel/bladder control, extra-ocular muscles, sexual fn
What is the etiology of ALS?
10% familial, 90% sporadic
What is the prognosis of ALS?
POOR
80% 5-year mortality, 100% 10-year mortality
What is the specific diagnostic test for ALS?
NONE
EMG and Nerve conduction studies - useful for confirming LMN degeneration + r/o NMJ d/o
What is the clinical diagnosis of PROBABLE ALS?
Involvement of 2 regions
What is the clinical diagnosis of DEFINITE ALS?
Involvement of 3-4 regions - bulbar, cervical, thoracic, and lumbosacral
What is the Tx of ALS?
Mostly supportive
RILUZOLE = Glu-blocking agent but not much evidence supporting it (only delays death by 3-5mo)
What is the purpose of an EMG study? Which types of pathologies can be detected using an EMG?
EMG Study - Measures contractile property of skeletal muscles
1) LMN LESION - FIBRILLATIONS/fasciculations at rest
2) MYOPATHY - NO ACTIVITY at rest, DECREASING AMPLITUDE with muscle contraction
What is the purpose of a NERVE CONDUCTION STUDY? Which types of pathologies can be detected using a NCS?
NCS: Tests speed of conduction through the nerve
1) DEMYELINATION - MS, GBS (Decreased conduction velocity)
2) MYASTHENIA GRAVIS - Repetitive stimulation causes fatigue (worsened with muscle use)
Ddx of FACIAL NERVE PALSY?
1) STROKE - Pontine stroke
2) BELLS PALSY - Idiopathic, diabetic mononeuropathy, viral etiology
3) VIRAL - HSV, HIV, Lyme, VZV, GBS (bilateral palsy)
4) NEOPLASTIC - Leptomeningeal carcinomatosis, acoustic neuroma, schwannoma NF2, cholesteatoma
What is the Tx of TRIGEMINAL NEURALGIA? Which pathology is this most commonly associated with?
CARBAMAZEPINE
Most commonly associated with MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS
What is the 1st line Tx for SYMPTOMATIC MENINGIOMA (p/w HA, seizure, FND due to mass effect)?
SURGICAL RESECTION
What is the 1st line Tx for DIFFUSE METASTATIC BRAIN DISEASE?
WHOLE BRAIN RADIATION
Compare NF-1 and NF-2 (gene mutation, location of mutation gene, main clinical features).
NF-1 = VON RECKLINGHAUSEN, NF1 tumor suppressor protein NEUROFIBROMIN (Chrom 17), CAFE AU LAIT/ MULTIPLE NEUROFIBROMAS/ LISCH NODULES/ Macrocephaly, feeding problems, short stature, learning disabilities
NF-2 = CENTRAL NEUROFIBROMATOSIS, NF2 tumor suppressor protein MERLIN (Chrom 22), BILATERAL ACOUSTIC NEUROMAS + CATARACTS
What is the most common type of INTRACRANIAL LESION in NF1 that typically manifests during toddlerhood? What should be ordered if the NF1 pt starts having HOLOCRANIAL HEADACHES?
OPTIC PATHWAY GLIOMA
Order MRI of BRAIN/ORBIT