MLA Paper 1 Flashcards
motor neuron disease: types
typically LMN signs in arms and UMN signs in legs
in familial cases the gene responsible lies on chromosome 21 and codes for superoxide dismutase
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (50% of patients)
Primary lateral sclerosis
* UMN signs only
Progressive muscular atrophy
* LMN signs only
* affects distal muscles before proximal
* carries best prognosis
Progressive bulbar palsy
* palsy of the tongue, muscles of chewing/swallowing and facial muscles due to loss of function of brainstem motor nuclei
* carries worst prognosis
Upper vs lower motor neuron signs
common clinical sign that may be found with a mid shaft humeral fracture
Wrist drop
- radial nerve runs in the radial groove of the mid shaft of the humerous
- very vulnerable to damage in a mid shaft fracture
Axillary nerve located near proximal humerus !
this type of medication has the strongest evidence base for reducing relapse in multiple sclerosis
Natalizumab : monoclonal antibody
Note: amantadine can reduce fatigue
antagonises alpha-4-beta-1 integrin found on surface of leucocytes - reducing migration of leukocytes across the blood brain barrier
Multiple sclerosis: specific problems and management
1. Fatigue –> amantadine , mindfullness training and CBT
2. Spasticity –>
* 1st line:baclofen & gabapentin
* 2nd line: diazepam, dantrolene and tizanidine, physio
3. Bladder dysfunction
* urgency, incontinence, overfloq?
* USS
* If significant residual volume –> intermittent self-catheterisation
* If no significant residual volume –> anticholingerics may improve
4. Oscillopsia (visual fields appear to oscillate)
* 1st line: Gabapentin
what type of imaging should be used to view demyelinating lesions?
MRI w/ contrast
Will show plaques representing areas of demyelination
‘Tear drop’ poikilocytes are seen in:
Myelofibrosis
Seen within the cytoplasm of myeloid blast cells
Smear cells are typically seen in
chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL)
they are remnants of cells and have no identifiable plasma membrane or nuclear structure
these type of cells are generally found in hereditary spherocytosis or autoimmune haemolytic anaemia
SPHEROCYTES
Sphere shaped cells rather than donut shaped , more fragile than normal red blood cells.
these type of cells are generally seen within iron-deficiency anaemia or hyposplenism
TARGET CELLS
Increase in red cell surface area or decrease in intracellular haemoglobin
first line treatment in otitis externa
Ciprofloxacin and dexamethasone
Topical antibiotics with or without steroid
Chicken pox exposure in pregnancy:
- Ask patients chicken pox history
- check maternal blood for varicella antibodies
- If confirmed not immune then considr varicella immunoglobulin (effective up to 10 days post exposure, given at any point)
- oral aciclovir now 1st choice of PEP (day 7 to day 14 after exposure)
Infective endocarditis in intravenous drug users most commonly affects
tricuspid valve
If a mild-moderate flare of distal ulcerative colitis doesn’t respond to topical (rectal) aminosalicylates then what should be added
oral aminosalicylates
e.g. mesalazine / sulphalazine
What test is used for the diagnosis of T1DM?
Random plasma glucose >11 is diagnostic for T1DM or fasting plasma glucose > 7
This
classically presents with a sore throat, fever, headache, bright red tongue and a coarse, red rash
SCARLET FEVER