MRCP PACES Flashcards
What are you looking for from the end of the bed when performing an abdominal examination?
Jaundice
Tense ascites
Caput medusae
Tattoos
Nutritional status
Scars (surgery, peritoneal dialysis, central venous line, tunnelled line)
Spider naevi (5+)
Medications around bedside
What signs might you see in the hands when performing an abdominal examination?
Thin skin (steroid use)
Bruising (steroid use, coagulopathy)
Dupuytren’s contracture
Palmar erythema
Leukonychia (hypoalbuminaemia)
Koilonychia (severe IDA)
What might a fine tremor be suggestive of during an abdominal examination?
Alcohol withdrawal
Tacrolimus toxicity (if evidence of liver transplant such as Mercedez-Benz scar)
What signs might you see in the face during an abdominal examination?
Parotid swelling
Jaundice
Angular cheillits/stomatitis
Conjunctival pallor
What signs might you see in the mouth during an abdominal examination?
Ulceration (associated Crohn’s disease)
Dentition
Glossitis (iron and B12 deficiency)
Candidiasis
What is enlargement of Virchow’s node suggestive of?
Gastric malignancy (also called Trosier’s sign)
If you see that patient has a fistula on abdominal examination, what should you check for?
Is there a thrill? (i.e. is it functional)
Has it recently been needled? (i.e. they are currently on haemodialysis)
Check whether there are any renal transplant scars
What are some GI causes of pedal oedema?
Hypoalbuminaemia (liver impairment or nephrotic syndrome)
List some inherited cystic kidney conditions.
PKD
Von-Hippel Lindau syndrome
Tuberous sclerosis
What system is used to classify renal cysts in polycystic kidney disease based on contrast-enhanced CT findings?
Bosniak System
Bosniak 1: Simple Cyst
Bosniak 4: Malignant
What is the prevalence of ADPKD?
1 in 1000
Accounts for 10% of renal replacement patients in the UKaht
How common are simple renal cysts?
2% of those aged 50 years
20% of elderly people
What might you see on general inspection in a respiratory examination?
Scars
Chest wall asymmetry
Cyanosis
Increased work of breathing
Audible wheeze
Inhalers
Portable oxygen
What are you looking for in the hands of a patient whilst performing a respiratory examination?
Tar staining
Peripheral cyanosis
Rheumatoid arthritis (ILD)
Thickening of skin (scleroderma)
What are the respiratory causes of clubbing?
Suppurative lung disease (cystic fibrosis and bronchiectasis)
Lung cancer
Interstitial lung disease (IPF)
What might a fine tremor be suggestive of in a respiratory examination?
Salbutamol overuse
Tacrolimus toxicity (lung transplant)
CO2 retentionW
Why is an elevated JVP significant in a respiratory examination?
May be because of cor pulmonale
What is the hepatojugular reflex suggestive of?
Right sided heart failure
What might abnormal chest expansion be suggestive of?
Symmetrically Decreased: Stiff lungs (interstitial lung disease)
Hyperinflated Lungs: COPD, severe asthma
What do you look for on inspection in a cardiovascular examination?
Oxygen tank
Metallic clicks
Vein harvesting scars
Midline sternotomy scar
Lateral thoracotomy scars
Previous chest drain insertion scars
What might you see in the hands on a cardiovascular examination?
Warmth
Tendon xanthomata
Peripheral cyanosis
Clubbing
Ecchymosis (warfarin)
Palmar erythema
Janeway lesions
Osler’s nodes (painful)
What are you looking for in the face when performing a cardiovascular examination?
Malar flush (mitral stenosis)
Xanthelasma
Corneal arcus
Conjunctival pallor or haemorrhage
What signs are you looking for in the mouth during a cardiovascular examination?
Central cyanosis
High arched palate
Problems with dentition
What might cause a regularly irregular pulse?
Bi- and trigeminy
What might a collapsing pulse be suggestive of?
Aortic regurgitation
Patent ductus arteriosus
Hyperdynamic circulation
How can the position of the apex beat be interpreted?
Displaced or thrusting: Mitral regurgitation
Undisplaced or heaving: Aortic stenosis, LVH
Tapping: Mitral stenosis
What are you looking for upon inspection of the lower limbs in a neurological examination?
Wasting
Fasciculations
What is the difference of rigidity vs spasticity?
There is increased tone regardless of speed in rigidity, whereas the degree of increased tone increases with speed in spasticity
What are the four different types of eye movements?
Fast Saccades: Moving rapidly between two fixed points that are a distant apart
Smooth Pursuit: Following a slowly moving object with smooth movements
Vergence: Focusing on an object close to the face,
Vestibulo-ocular: Being able to adjust the eyes to maintain focus on a fixed object in the context of involuntary head movement
What is the accommodation response?
Pupils constrict and eyes converge when suddenly focusing on a nearby object
What is athetosis suggestive of?
Damage to the basal ganglia
What is pseudoathetosis?
Writhing movements caused by a proprioceptive defect rather than due to damage to the basal ganglia
What should a cranial nerve palsy in the context of polycystic kidney disease make you suspicious of?
Intracranial aneurysm
What are the two mutations that can cause ADPKD?
PKD1 on Chromosome 16 (85%)
PKD2 on Chromosome 4
What are some differences between PKD1 and PKD2?
PKD1 is more severe and tend to lead to end stage kidney disease at a younger age. It is also MORE common.
How does polycystic kidney disease present?
Abdominal pain
Hypertension
Blood test abnormalities
Urinalysis abnormalities
Haematuria
UTI
Intracranial aneurysms
Genetic testing for family members
What are the main presenting features of von hippel lindau syndrome?
Headache
Ataxia
Dizziness
Weakness
Loss of vision
Hypertension
What are the main associations of Von Hippel Lindau syndrome?
Renal cell carcinoma
Phaeochromocytoma
Spinocerebellar haemangioblastomas
Retinal angiomas
What are the main features of tuberous sclerosis?
Epilepsy
Learning disability
Autism
Hamartomas
Renal cysts
Angiomyolipomas (renal)
Shagreen patches
Ash-leaf spots
Adenoma sebaceum
What are the main features of Alport syndrome?
Deafness (bilateral and sensorineural)
Persistent microscopic haematuria
Proteinuria and CKD
Ocular abnormalities (e.g. lenticonus)
Leiomyomas
How is ADPKD diagnosed?
Imaging (Ultrasound, CT, MRI)
Genetic testing
Ravine/Pei diagnostic criteria
How is ADPKD managed?
CONSERVATIVE
- Low salt diet
MEDICAL
- Antihypertensives (RAAS blockade)
- Tolvaptan limits cyst development
SURGICAL
- Remote problematic cysts and reduce mass effects
- Renal replacement therapy
What proportion of patients with ADPKD have extra-renal manifestations?
70% Liver Cysts
10% Pancreatic Cysts
5% Berry Aneurysms
Mitral valve prolapse
How does PBC tend to present?
Fatigue
Pruritus
Obstructive jaundice
What are some clinical features of PBC?
Hepatosplenomegaly
Clubbing
Xanthelasma
Excoriation marks (from pruritus)
Jaundice
What are the main causes of chronic liver disease?
Alcoholic liver disease
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Viral hepatitis
Autoimmune hepatitis
Drug-induced liver disease
Infiltrative disease (e.g. Wilson’s disease, haemochromatosis)
Which antibody is associated with PBC?
Antimitochondrial (M2) antibody
Also associated with raised ALP and IgM
How is PBC managed?
MEDICAL
- Ursodeoxycholic Acid or Obeticholic Acid
- Cholestyramine for pruritus
SURGICAL
- Liver transplant (for intractable pruritus and end stage disease)
- Transplant has a good prognosis and low rate of recurrence
What are the main causes of chronic kidney disease?
Diabetes
Hypertension
Glomerulonephritis
Polycystic Kidney Disease
Chronic Pyelonephritis
Reflux Nephropathy
What are the advantages of renal transplant over dialysis?
Better quality of life
Increased survival (though generally fitter patients are chosen for transplant)
More cost-effective in the long-term
When should a patient be worked up for renal transplant?
Ideally as they progress towards end stage renal failure but before starting dialysis
Which diseases are particularly at risk of recurrence in renal transplantation?
Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis
Amyloidosis
IgA Nephropathy
Haemolytic uraemic syndrome
What are some contraindications for renal transplantation?
Current malignancy
Severe poorly controlled comorbidity (e.g. COPD, heart failure)
Active infection (e.g. viral hepatitis)
Active substance misuse
Uncontrolled psychiatric disease
History of medication non-compliance
What is hyperacute rejection in the context of a renal transplant?
Due to presence of antibodies against donor kidney.
Kidney swells and becomes dusky within minutes of revascularisation
Transplant nephrectomy required
Very rare
What is acute cell-mediated rejection in the context of a renal transplant?
Happens between 2 weeks to 6 months of transplantations
Characterised by mononuclear cell infiltration in the interstitium
Treated with high-dose steroids (often reversible)
What is acute antibody-mediated rejection in the context of a renal transplant?
Three of the four following criteria:
- Graft dysfunction
- Histological evidence of tissue injury
- Positive staining for C4d
- Presence of donor-specific antibodies
What is chronic transplant rejection?
Gradual decrease in kidney function that becomes apparent 3 months after transplant
What specific work up needs to be done ahead of renal transplantation?
ABO and HLA typing
Virology (hep B, hep C and CMV)
Urinalysis and culture
Cardiovascular assessment
What are some of the effects of steroid use for immunosuppression?
Thin skin
Easy bruising
Cushingoid appearance
Diabetes mellitus
What are some physical features of immunosuppressive therapy
Ciclosporin: Gingival hyperplasia
Tacrolimus: Tremor
Steroids: Cushingoid, easy bruising
What are some complications of immunosuppression?
New-onset diabetes after transplantation
Cancer (especially squamous cell carcinoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma)
Opportunistic infections (BK, CMV)
What are some prognostic factors for renal transplants?
Primary diagnosis
Previous episodes of rejection
Total ischaemic time
Donor factors (e.g. age)
Define end stage renal failure.
eGFR < 15 mL/min
What are the features of decompensation of chronic liver disease?
Jaundice
Asterixis
Ascites
What are some causes of hepatomegaly?
Cirrhosis
Congestive cardiac failure
Carcinoma
Viral hepatitis
Immune (PBC, PSC, autoimmune hepatitis)
Infiltrative (haemochromatosis, amyloidosis, Wilson’s disease)
What are the main investigations you would request in a patient with hepatomegaly?
FBC
U&E
LFT
Clotting
Glucose
Ferritin
Viral hepatitis screen
Caeruloplasmin
Autoantibodies
ULTRASOUND
ASCITIC TAP
FIBROSCAN (extent of liver fibrosis)
What are the best markers of liver synthetic function?
Albumin
Clotting (PT)
How can AST: ALT ratio be interepreted?
> 2 is suggestive of alcoholic liver disease
Very high in ischaemic hepatitis
What are the different parameters that can be analysed on an ascitic tap and why would you request them?
Cell count (SBP)
Gram stain
Amylase/lipase (in pancreatitis)
Cytology (cancer)
SAAG (11 g/L)
Glucose (low in infection)
What should all patients with cirrhosis have done?
Endoscopy to check for varices
Which tests are useful in the diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis?
Faecal elastase
Albumin
Vitamin D
Magnesium
How is chronic pancreatitis treated?
Creon
Pain management
PPI
What are some causes of increased SAAG?
Cirrhosis
Alcoholic hepatitis
Budd-Chiari syndrome
Heart failure
What are some causes of decreased SAAG?
Nephrotic syndrome
Pancreatitis
Malignancy
Peritonitis
How is ascites managed?
Treat cause
Drain
Diuretics (often spironolactone then furosemide)
Prophylactic antibiotics
What are some differentials for abdominal distension?
Fluid (ascites)
Flatus
Foetus (pregnancy)
Obesity
Tumour
What are some reasons for a nephrectomy in patients with ADPKD?
Debulking to provide room for transplant
Renal cell carcinoma
Recurrent urinary tract infections
Chronic pain
Excessive bleeding
How does autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease differ from ADPKD?
It causes end stage renal impairment in childhood (much less common)
Why is peritoneal dialysis avoided in patients with ADPKD?
Mechanical difficulty performing peritoneal dialysis if abdomen contains bulky kidneys
Increased risk of cyst infection
What would you request to complete the examination after performing an abdominal examination?
Observations
Examine external hernial orifices and external genitalia
Perform a DRE
What are the two forms of peritoneal dialysis?
Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis
Automated peritoneal dialysisW
When is dialysis recommended by NICE?
eGFR < 5-7 mL/min if asymptomatic
Impacted by symptoms of uraemia on a daily basis
What are some symptoms that patients on dialysis may experience?
Breathlessness
Fatigue
Pruritus
Loss of appetite
Abdominal cramps
Depression
What are the acute indication for dialysis?
Acidosis
Pulmonary oedema
Hyperkalaemia
Uraemic complications
What are the most common immunosuppression regimens used in renal transplants?
Calcineurin inhibitor (e.g. tacrolimus)
Antimetabolite (e.g. MMF)
Steroid
After how long does continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis stop working?
3-6 years
How long does a fistula take to mature?
4-6 weeks
N.B. you want to achieve a flow rate of 250-400 mL/min into the dialyser
What are some complications of peritoneal dialysis?
Bacterial peritonitis
Ultrafiltration failure
Encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis
Hernia
Fluid leak
What are the main complications of haemodialysis?
Hypotension
Infection (e.g. line-related)
Venous stenosis
Air embolus
Cardiovascular disease
Dialysis-related amyloidosis
Pseudogout
What are the main features of graft rejection after a renal transplant?
Fluid retention
High blood pressure
Rapidly rising creatinine
How does CMV infection manifest in transplant patients?
Myocarditis
Encephalitis
Retinitis
Renal dysfunction
Pneumonitis
NOTE: treated with ganciclovir
What are some factors that favour the use of haemodialysis rather than peritoneal dialysis?
Previous peritonitis
Severe malnutrition
Catabolic states (e.g. intercurrent illness)
Chronic severe respiratory disease (may compromise respiratory function)
What are the causes of splenomegaly?
INFILTRATION
- Myelo- and lymphoproliferative disorders
- Lymphoma
- Amyloidosis
-Sarcoidosis
- Gaucher’s disease
- Lipid storage disease
INCREASED FUNCTION
- Spherocytosis
- Thalassemia
- Early sickle cell
ABNORMAL FLOW
- Cirrhosis
- Hepatic or portal vein obstruction
IMMUNE HYPERPLASIA
- Tropical: chronic malaria, visceral leishmaniasis, brucellosis
- Glandular fever
- Infectious hepatitis
DISORDERED IMMUNOREGULATION
- Felty’s syndrome
- SLE
What other features should you look for on examination in a patient with splenomegaly?
Hepatomegaly and ascites: cirrhosis
Jaundice: haemolytic anaemia, liver impairment
Anaemia
Lymphadenopathy: lymphoma, infection (e.g. EBV)
What are the causes of massive splenomegly?
Chronic myeloid leukaemia
Myelofibrosis
Gaucher’s disease
Chronic malaria
Kala azar
What investigations should you request in a patient with splenomegaly?
FBC and film
If suspicion of haematological malignancy: CT CAP, bone marrow aspirate/trephine, lymph node biopsy
If suspicion of malaria: thick and thin films
What is hereditary spherocytosis and how is it diagnosed?
Autosomal dominant defect in the cell wall of red cells
Diagnosis: EMA binding test (or osmotic fragility)
What would you see on the blood film of a patient with hereditary spherocytosis?
Small round red cells that have lost their central pallor
Increased reticulocytes
Which causes of splenomegaly are more likely in YOUNG people?
- Spherocytosis
- Thalassemia
- Early sickle cell
- Tropical: chronic malaria, visceral leishmaniasis, brucellosis
- Glandular fever
- Lymphoma
Why is it important to look inside the top lip of a patient when doing an abdominal examination?
To check for gingival hyperplasia (ciclosporin)
Which scars are associated with liver transplant?
Mercedez-Benz (bilateral rooftop with sternal extension)
Makuuchi (inverted J)
What signs would suggest that a liver transplant is not working properly?
Ascites
Asterixis
Jaundice
Which features of chronic liver disease are likely to persist post-transplantation?
Gynaecomastia
Dupuytren’s contracture
Splenomegaly (may change)
Is the size of a transplanted liver significant?
Difficult to interpret because it may be suggestive of a size mismatch between the donor and the recipient
What are some physical signs of post-transplant immunosuppression?
Scars from excision of SCCs
Tremor (tacrolimus)
Gingival hypertrophy (ciclosporin)
Steroid (Cushingoid, diabetes mellitus cap glucose testing and insulin injections, easy bruising)
What clinical features may be suggestive of an underlying diagnosis of haemochromatosis?
Venesection scars
Tanned appearance
Hepatosplenomegaly
What are the main indications for liver transplantations in the UK?
Cirrhosis
Hepatocellular carcinoma
Acute fulminant liver failure (e.g. paracetamol overdose)
Define acute liver failure.
Multisystem disorder characterised by severe impairment of liver function with encephalopathy within 8 weeks of the onset of symptoms and no recognised underlying chronic liver disease.
Which variant syndromes are considered for liver transplantation?
Diuretic-resistant ascites
Chronic hepatic encephalopathy
Intractable pruritus
Hepatopulmonary syndrome
Polycystic liver disease
Recurrent cholangitis
What are some contraindications for liver transplantation?
IV drug use
Ongoing alcohol excess
Significant medical or psychiatric comorbidities
This is all discussed by a specialist MDT
Which scoring criteria is used to assess patient’s need for liver transplantation?
UKELD (based on INR, creatinine, bilirubin and sodium)
A score of 49 or more is considered for elective liver transplantation
Which scoring system is used to triage acute alcoholic hepatitis?
Maddrey’s Score
Glasgow Alcoholic Hepatitis Score
What are the main causes of ascites?
VASCULAR
Portal hypertension in liver disease
Budd-Chiari syndrome
Congestive cardiac failure
Constrictive pericarditis
LOW ALBUMIN
Cirrhosis
Nephrotic syndrome
Protein-losing enteropathy
PERITONEAL
Meig syndrome
TB
Malignancy (e.g. ovarian)
MISC
Pancreatitis
Hyperthyroidism (advanced)
Which investigations should you request in a patient with ascites?
BLOODS: FBC, Clotting, LFT, viral serology, autoantibody screen, ferritin, caeruloplasmin, AFP
IMAGING: Ultrasound, CXR (congestive cardiac failure)
OTHER: Ascitic Tap
What are some indications for a transjugular liver biopsy?
Deranged coagulation
Massive ascites
What causes hereditary haemochromatosis?
Autosomal recessive condition with variable penetrance
Caused by mutation in the HFE gene (increases intestinal iron absorption)
How does hereditary haemochromatosis present?
Screening relatives
Lethargy
Arthralgia
Skin pigmentation
Hepatomegaly
Chronic liver disease
Diabetes mellitus
Erectile dysfunction
How do men and women differ in the presentation of haemochromatosis?
Women tend to present later in life due to the protective effect of menstruationW
Which investigations are most important in the diagnosis of hereditary haemochromatosis?
Transferrin saturation (raised)
Ferritin (raised)
HFE genotyping
Liver biopsy (not essential but can help assess stage of disease)
Urinalysis and HbA1c for diabetes mellitus
ECG for AF
AFP for HCC
Liver ultrasound for cirrhosis
How is hereditary haemochromatosis managed?
Venesection (3-4 times per year)
Alternative: iron chelation
Avoid food containing iron or vitamin C
Avoid alcohol
Transplant (if cirrhotic)
How should patients with hereditary haemochromatosis be monitored?
Regular FBC, transferrin saturation and ferritin monitoring
Monitor HbA1c
If cirrhotic, regular ultrasound and AFP monitoring
What is the prognosis in hereditary haemochromatosis?
If non-diabetic and non-cirrhotic, venesection returns life expectancy to normal
What are the main complications of hereditary haemochromatosis?
Cirrhosis (and HCC)
Diabetes mellitus
Cardiomyopathy
What are the main aspects of managing hepatic encephalopathy?
Lactulose (aiming for at least 2 bowel movements per day)
Rifxamin
NOTE: and identify and treat any precipitants (e.g. bleed)
How should an upper GI bleed be managed?
A to E assessment and appropriate resuscitation with IV fluids and/or blood products
Prophylactic antibiotics (e.g. ceftriaxone)
Terlipressin
Calculate Glasgow-Blatchford score and discuss with on call endoscopist
EMERGENCY: Sengstaken-Blakemore tube
How does spherocytosis present?
Anaemia
Jaundice (including neonatal)
Splenomegaly
Screening of first degree relatives
What are some of the complication of hereditary spherocytosis?
Aplastic crisis
Severe anaemia
Gallstones
What mutation causes hereditary spherocytosis?
5 possible mutations with the most common (ANK1) being on chromosome 8
What is the outcome of splenectomy in moderate-to-severe cases of hereditary spherocytosis?
Virtually eliminates haemolysis
How can intercurrent infections affects people with hereditary spherocytosis?
Increase rate of haemolysis
e.g. EBV can increase spleen size and worsen haemolysis
What is the main complication of hereditary spherocytosis?
Pigment gallstones
What are the relevant examinations to perform in a patient with suspected ankylosing spondylitis?
Listen for aortic regurgitation
Listen for pulmonary fibrosis
Assess chest expansion
Assess Achilles’ tendons
Assess the axial spine
What are the motor functions of the ulnar nerve?
ANTERIOR FOREARM
- Flexor carpi ulnaris (flex and adduct hand)
- Flexor digitorum profundus medial half (flexed ring and little finger at DIP)
HAND
- Most intrinsic hand muscles (hypothenar muscles, medial lumbricals, adductor policis, palmar and dorsal interossei)
What is Froment’s sign?
Test for ULNAR nerve palsy
Flexion of thumb at interphalangeal joint when pulling paper away
What are the sensory components of the ulnar nerve?
Medial half of palm and dorsum of hand
Medial 1 and a half fingers
NOTE: there are 3 branches - palmar, superficial and dorsal
What are the main motor features of ulnar nerve damage at the elbow?
Flexion of wrist accompanied by abduction
Weakness of finger abduction and adduction (due to interossei)
Weakness of 4th and 5th digits (due to medial 2 lumbricals and hypothenar muscles)
Weakness of thumb adduction
Positive Froment sign
What are the main sensory features of ulnar nerve damage?
Loss of sensation of medial half of palm and dorsum of hand
Loss of sensation over medial 1 and a half digits
What are the main motor features of ulnar nerve damage at the wrist?
Weakness of finger abduction and adduction
Weakness of 4th and 5th digits (due to medial lumbricals and hypothenar muscles)
Weakness of thumb adduction
Froment’s sign positive
Wasting of hypothenar eminence
How does the sensory deficit in ulnar nerve palsy at the wrist level differ from the elbow?
Dorsal branch is usually unaffected in ulnar nerve palsy at the wristw
What are the main differences between ulnar nerve damage at the wrist and at the elbow?
Normal sensation over dorsal area
More severe clawing (due to preserved innervation of flexor digitorum profundus)
Normal wrist flexion without abduction
What is the ulnar paradox?
A lesion at the elbow produces a milder deformity than a lesion at the wrist
This is because a lesion at the elbow also paralyses flexor digitorum profundus (this causes weakness of finger flexion to balance the weakness of finger extension caused by paralysis of the lumbricals)
What are the causes of ulnar nerve injury at the wrist and elbow?
Wrist: Lacerations to the anterior wrist
Elbow: Trauma (e.g. supracondylar fracture), surgery
Which muscles are innervated by C8/T1 via the MEDIAN nerve?
Lateral 2 lumbricals
Opponens policis
Abductor policis brevis
Flexor policis brevis
Which investigation could you request in a patient with a suspected ulnar nerve palsy?
EMG
MRI of the neck should be considered if concerns about cervical radiculopathy
How is neuropathic pain managed?
Tricyclic antidepressant (e.g. amitriptyline)
Then move on to pregabalin and gabapentin
Alternative: SNRI (duloxetine)
Non-Tablet: Capsaicin cream
What are the main causes of peripheral neuropathy?
Diabetes mellitus
METABOLIC: uraemia, hyperthyroidism, vitamin B1/B6/B12 deficiencies
TOXIC: chemotherapy (e.g. vincristin, cisplatin), antibiotics (e.g. isoniazid), alcohol excess
INFLAMMATORY: CIDP, sarcoidosis, ANCA-positive vasculitis, rheumatoid arthritis
MALIGNANT: paraneoplastic syndromes (e.g. lung cancer, myeloma)
Which tests should be done in a patient with peripheral neuropathy?
BEDSIDE: urinalysis, BM, fundoscopy (diabetic retinopathy)
BLOODS: HbA1c, U&E, FBC (macrocytosis), B12, LFT (alcohol), TFT, ESR (chronic inflammation), serum electrophoresis
Other: Nerve conduction studies
Why are nerve conduction studies useful in peripheral neuropathy?
It can distinguish between demyelinating or axonal
It can tell whether the weakness is length-dependnent
NOTE: demyelinating length-dependent neuropathies are much more likely to be immune-mediated (e.g. CIDP)
What are some aspects of managing peripheral neuropathy?
Treat cause (e.g. tight glycaemic control)
Podiatry for foot care
Physiotherapy (if gait issues)
Which investigations should be requested in suspected Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease?
Nerve conduction studies (severe and uniformly reduced responses)
Genetic testing (autosomal dominant)
NOTE: Nerve conduction studies will also tell you whether it is axonal or demyelinating in nature which helps identify the type of CMT
How is Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease managed?
No disease-modifying treatments
Genetic counselling for family members
OT/PT
Orthotics
How is a homonymous hemianopia caused by a occipital stroke different from that caused by an MCA stroke?
Occipital stroke has macular sparing
Which investigations should be requested to identify potential causes in a patient with a stroke?
Echocardiogram
Carotid Doppler
Ambulatory ECG Monitoring
List some causes of a spastic paraparesis.
Spinal trauma
Disc prolapse
Multiple sclerosis
Motor neurone disease
Cerebral palsy
Spinal infarct
What are the main investigations to request in suspected multiple sclerosis?
MRI (Brain and Spine)
CSF (oligoclonal bands)
How is multiple sclerosis managed?
Acute Relapse: High dose IV steroids (methylprednisolone)
Disease-Modifying Treatments (beta interferons, glatiramer acetate, natalizumab)
Manage complications (baclofen for spasticity, psychological support, PT/OT, neuropathic pain medications, laxatives for constipation)
What are the different types of multiple sclerosis?
Relapsing-remitting (90%)
Secondary progressive
Primary progressive
NOTE: 25% of RRMS becomes SPMS within 6 years
What are some features that you would see in cerebellar ataxia that you would not see in sensory ataxia?
Nystagmus
Dysarthria
What are the main features of a sensory ataxia?
Impaired joint position and vibration sense
Pseudoathetosis
Finger nose test is ok with eyes open but struggle with eyes closed
What are the main causes of sensory ataxia?
CENTRAL: Dorsal column damage
PERIPHERAL: diabetes mellitus, alcohol excess, uraemia, vitamin B1/6/12 deficiency
What is the most common cause of both central and peripheral sensory ataxia?
B12 deficiency
Which other neurodegenerative conditions is often comorbid in the context of ALS?
Frontotemporal dementia
What are the four types of motor neuron disease?
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Progressive bulbar palsy
Progressive muscular atrophy
Primary lateral sclerosis
What are some differentials for motor neuron disease?
Myopathy
Stroke
Guillain-Barre syndrome
Myasthenia gravis
Spinal cord tumours
Which investigations are useful in suspected motor neuron disease?
EMG (look for fasciculations and fibrillations)
Nerve conduction studies
How is motor neuron disease managed?
Riluzole (small prognostic benefit)
OT/PT
SALT
Dietician (nutritional plans)
Addressing ventilatory issues (e.g. NIV)
What is Kennedy disease?
X-linked spinobulbar muscular atrophy
CAG repeat associated lower motor neuron disease that presents with progressive weakness and wasting of limb and bulbar muscles
Associated with gynaecomastia and subfertility
What is the prognosis for MND?
Varies depending on type
15-20% 5-year survival
What is myelopathy?
Injury to the spinal cord causing neurological symptoms
How is a myelopathy investigated?
Urgent MRI (if acute)
May need urgent neurosurgical discussion
What are some causes of myelopathy?
ACUTE
Disc prolapse
Infarction
Epidural abscess
SUBACUTE
Infection (e.g. mycoplasma induced transverse myelitis)
CHRONIC
B12 deficiency
Inflammatory (e.g. MS)
Spinal cord tumour
Hereditary spastic paraparesis
What are the main clinical features of Kennedy’s disease?
Lower motor neuron only
Progressive weakness and wasting of limb and bulbar muscles
Slow rate of progression
PERIORAL FASCICULATIONS
Gynaecomastia
Subfertility
What are a head tremor and truncal ataxia associated with?
Cerebellar ataxia
What are the main causes of cerebellar ataxia?
ACUTE: haemorrhage, stroke, infection (varicella), autoimmune
CHRONIC: alcohol excess, nutritional deficiency (vitamin E)
What are some classical features of polio?
Limb wasting and weakness
Limb shortening
Areflexia
Pes cavus
Which conditions are associated with pes cavus?
Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease
Polio
Friedreich’s Ataxia
What are the main features of post-polio syndrome?
Progressive weakness in previously affected areas
Pain
Cramping
Fatigue
What is ataxia?
Group of conditions that are characterised by disorders of coordination, balance and speech.
What simple test can you use to distinguish sensory ataxia from cerebellar ataxia?
Sensory ataxia gets much worse with the eyes closed (e.g. not being able to do finger to nose with eyes closed)
Which unusual neurological features should raise suspicion of an immune-mediated polyneuropathy?
Non-length dependent (e.g. primarily proximal weakness)
Marked asymmetry in neurological features
Prominent sensory ataxia
What are the most common acute and chronic immune-mediated neuropathy?
ACUTE: Guillain-Barre syndrome
CHRONIC: Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy
How is Guillain-Barre syndrome managed?
Monitor FVC as evidence of respiratory compromise would warrant ABG and discussion with ICU (if FVC < 20 mL/kg)
IVIG and plasma exchange
What is the prognosis of Guillain-Barre syndrome?
Most people make a full recovery though this could take months
5% mortality rate
Which investigations should be requested in suspected Guillain-Barre syndrome?
CSF Analysis (high protein)
Nerve conduction studies (evidence of demyelination)
FVC
What are the main clinical features of Guillain-Barre syndrome?
Rapidly evolving ascending pattern of weakness
Variable sensory loss
Flaccid muscle tone
Hyporeflexia
Post-infection (most commonly Campylobacter jejuni)
List some causes of transverse myelitis.
INFLAMMATION: MS, neuromyelitis optica, sarcoidosis, lupus
INFECTION: VZV, Mycoplasma, TB, HTLV1
What are the main clinical features of a spastic paraparesis?
Hypertonia
Brisk reflexes
Upgoing plantars
Weakness
Reduced sensation
How can you test bradykinesia?
Finger snapping and rapid rotation of the wrists
In someone with Parkinsonian features, which other examination steps would you take to assess whether Parkinson’s plus syndromes are a possibility?
Eye Movement (PSP)
Nystagmus (cerebellar signs are associated with MSA)
LSBP (autonomic dysfunction in MSA)
What are some early non-motor features of Parkinson’s disease?
Anosmia
REM sleep disorders
Constipation
What are some other non-motor features of Parkinson’s disease?
Depression
Insomnia
Pain
Autonomic disturbance
What are the cardinal features of Parkinson’s disease?
Tremor
Rigidity
Bradykinesia
Gait instability
List some other causes of Parkinsonism other than Idiopathic Parkinson’s Disease.
Progressive supranuclear palsy
Multiple system atrophy
Dementia with Lewy bodies
Vascular Parkinsonism
Drug-induced Parkinsonism
How is idiopathic Parkinson’s disease diagnosed?
Largely a clinical diagnosis
MRI and SPECT imaging may be considered
How is Parkinson’s disease managed?
PHARMACOLOGICAL: Dopaminergic therapy (Levodopa, Dopamine Agonists), MAO-B inhibitors (selegiline), COMT inhibitors (entacapone), amantadine
SURGICAL: Deep brain stimulation
NON-MEDICAL: PT/OT, SALT
How do you assess speech?
- Comprehension (1-, 2- and 3-step commands)
- Repetition (baby hippopotamus)
- Naming (e.g. pen)
- Spontaneous speech (normal articulation, phonological errors, word retrieval difficulty, hesitancy, anomia)
Which hemisphere is dominant in language?
Left
What are the main features of posterior circulation strokes?
Cranial nerve involvement
Disorder of conjugate eye movements
Cerebellar signs
Homonymous hemianopia
Cortical blindness
Unilateral or bilateral motor or sensory deficit
What are the main features of total anterior circulation strokes?
Hemiplegia (contralateral)
Homonymous hemianopia (contralateral)
Aphasia or visuospatial disturbance
Hemisensory deficit (contralateral)
What are the features of a partial anterior circulation stroke?
Two of the following need to be present for a diagnosis of a PACS: Unilateral weakness (and/or sensory deficit) of the face, arm and leg. Homonymous hemianopia.
Higher cerebral dysfunction (dysphasia, visuospatial disorder)
Which features on neurological examination are associated with raised intracranial pressure?
6th cranial nerve palsy
Papilloedema
Visual field defect
What features of a history would make you think of an immune-mediated cause of a polyneuropathy?
Waxing and waning
Abrupt onset
Starting in the hands, trunk or face (non-length dependent)
Prominent sensory ataxia (worse in the dark/eyes closed)
Features of associated conditions (inflammatory arthropathy, sicca syndrome)
Which additional things should you do when examining a patient with a suspected movement disorder?
Assess for tremor in different positions (e.g. hands in front of face)
Finger snapping (bradykinesia)
Eye movement testing
What are the main causes of chorea?
ACUTE: Stroke (asymmetric), hypoglycaemic
CHRONIC: Sydenham’s chorea (rheumatic fever), SLE, Huntington’s disease
What is Huntington’s disease caused by?
Autosomal dominant trinucleotide repeat disorder (CAG) on chromosome 4
How is Huntington’s disease investigated?
Largely a clinical diagnosis (presence of a family history helps)
Genetic testing (blood)
MRI and CT can show loss of striatal volume
How is Huntington’s disease managed?
MDT approach
Genetic counselling
OT/PT
Clinical trials
If you think that reflexes may be brisk, what can you do to check whether it is pathologically brisk?
Finger jerks
Hoffman sign
What is a positive Hoffmann sign suggestive of?
Corticospinal tract dysfunction in the cervical segments of spinal cord
What pattern of weakness is seen in myopathies and in neuromuscular junction disorders?
Proximal weakness
Which additional features of an examination should be performed if myasthenia gravis is suspected?
Fatiguable ptosis
Oculoparesis
Which investigations should be requested in suspected myasthenia gravis?
BEDSIDE: Ice test
BLOODS: ACh receptor antibodies, MuSK antibodies, TFT
OTHER: single-fibre EMG, edrophonium test, CT/MRI to check for thymoma
How is myasthenia gravis treated?
Cholinesterase inhibitor (e.g. pyridostigmine)
Steroids (immunosuppression)
Steroid-sparing agents (e.g. azathioprine)
MYASTHENIC CRISIS: IVIG and Plasmapheresis (and ventilatory support)
SURGICAL: Thymectomy
What causes Friedreich’s ataxia?
Autosomal recessive condition caused by GAA repeat expansion of the frataxin gene
What are the main features of Friedreich’s ataxia?
Progressive ataxia
Absence of deep tendon reflexes
Spasticity
Peripheral sensory neuropathy
Dysarthria
What are some non-neurological manifestations of Friedreich’s ataxia?
HEART: cardiomyopathy, arrhythmias, heart failure
MSK: kyphoscoliosis
PANCREAS: diabetes mellitus
EYES: optic atrophy
Which investigations should be requested in suspected Friedreich’s ataxia?
Genetic studies
Nerve conduction studies
ECG and echo
Vitamin B12 and vitamin E levels
MRI brain and spinal cord
How is Friedreich’s ataxia managed?
MDT approach
OT/PT
SALT
Orthotics
Cardiology (for cardiomyopathy)
Genetic counselling
Diabetes management
What is seronegative myasthenia gravis?
Clinical and neurophysiological evidence of myasthenia gravis but without antibodies
At what time within the onset of myasthenia gravis affecting the eyes would you expect the disease to become generalised?
2 years
If no generalisation at this point, they can be diagnosed with ocular myasthenia
What is the ‘steroid dip’ seen in patients with myasthenia gravis?
Weakness gets worse when treatment is started
NOTE: if severe weakness, they should be admitted with steroids are started
How do you test for fatiguable ptosis?
Sustained upgaze
What is a midline sternotomy scar suggestive of?
CABG (check for vein harvesting)
Valve replacement
Heart transplant
What are the common indications for aortic valve replacement?
Severe symptomatic aortic stenosis or regurgitation
Infective endocarditis
What are the advantages and disadvantages of a mechanical heart valve?
ADVANTAGE
Longer-lasting
Durable (15-20 years)
DISADVANTAGE
Requires lifelong anticoagulation
NOTE: bioprosthetic valves only last around 10 years
What are the main causes of aortic stenosis?
Senile calcification
Bicuspid aortic valve
Rheumatic heart disease
Lupus
Fabry’s disease
What are some signs of severity in aortic stenosis?
Quiet second heart sound
Long duration to the murmur
Low volume pulse
Forceful apex beat
What are the causes of an ejection systolic murmur?
Aortic stenosis
Aortic sclerosis
HOCM
Pulmonary stenosis
Which investigations should be requested in suspected aortic stenosis?
ECG (LVH by voltage criteria)
Echocardiogram
CXR (heart failure)
What are the management options for severe aortic stenosis?
Metallic or Tissue Aortic Valve Replacement
TAVI
Which medications should be avoided in severe aortic stenosis?
ACE inhibitors
Nitrates
NOTE: in severe aortic stenosis, the ventricle is unable to augment its stroke volume in the context of a reduction in preload. Afterload is fixed they are preload dependent.
What are some echocardiographic features of severe aortic stenosis?
Peak velocity of > 4 m/s
Mean gradient > 40 mm Hg
Valve area < 1 cm^2
What are the indications for mitral valve replacement?
Mitral stenosis
Mitral regurgitation
Infective endocarditis
In a young person with a midline sternotomy scar, what should you consider?
Mitral valve REPAIR (rather than replacement)
This is preferred to mitral valve replacement
What are the different types of mitral valves?
Ball and cage
Single tilting disc
Bileaflet
Which bacterium causes prosthetic valve infection within 6 months of implantation?
Staphylococcus epidermidis
What is a fixed split S2?
It means that there is a discrepancy between the aortic and pulmonary valve closing leading to a double heart sound
Physiological splitting refers to splitting that only occurs during inspiration. Whereas fixed splitting is present during inspiration and expiration.
What are some causes of a fixed split S2?
Pulmonary hypertension
Right heart failure
Atrial septal defect
What are some features of pulmonary hypertension noted on examination?
Raised JVP
Right ventricular heave
Loud P2 (fixed split second heart sound)
Peripheral fluid overload