MS pathology

Question 1

MS

Answer 1

Autoimmune disease , chronic progressive demyelinating of CNS and upper motor neurons

Question 2

Population affected

Answer 2

most commonly affects white female aged between 20-40 years. unknown etiology; most likely viral.

Question 3

Under normal circumstances…

Answer 3

oligodendrocytes produce myelin in the CNS.
the myeline insulate nerves and speeds conduction to conserve energy for nerve cells.

Question 4

With MS conditions

Answer 4

myelin is destroyed, which means that the body cannot conserve energy for nerve cells.

demyelinating lesion slow neural transmission, which causes nerves to fatigue rapidly.

lesions are scattered, commonly in the pyramidal tract, dorsal columns, cerebrum, and cerebellum.

Question 5

S/S

Answer 5

-Common in U/L
-Variable symptoms due to lesions being scattered at different times and places
-optic conditions
-fatigue
-spasticity, hyperreflexia, heat sensitivity
ataxic gait, intention tremor, dysmetria, dysdiadochokinesia
-cognitive conditions
-bowel and bladder conditions
-paresthesia or hyperpathia hypersensitivity
-dysphasia/dysarthria
-neuropathic pain

Question 6

S/S optic conditions include

Answer 6

Nystagmus
optic neuritis
diplopia
Marcus Gunn pupil

Question 7

nystagmus

Answer 7

involuntary rhythmic side to side, up and down, or circular motion.

Question 8

optic neuritis

Answer 8

pain and temporary vision loss (commonly first symptom.)

Question 9

diplopia

Answer 9

double vision
Treatment (eye patch)

Question 10

Marcus Gunn pupil

Answer 10

when a light is shined in the eye, the pupil contraction is limited.

Question 11

Fatigue

Answer 11

Muscle weakness, most commonly reported symptoms of MS
often leads to foot drop
can lead to vaulting

Question 12

Ataxic gait, intention tremor, dysmetria, dysdiadochokinesia

Answer 12

MS can commonly affect the cerebellum which leads to these cerebellar symtpoms.

Question 13

Spastic bladder

Answer 13

overactive bladder commonly due to hypertonic muscles

Question 14

flaccid bladder

Answer 14

failure to empty bladder because muscles do not fully contract

Question 15

dyssynergia bladder

Answer 15

decreased coordination between contraction and relaxation.

Question 16

constipation

Answer 16

fewer than 3 bowel movements per week.

Question 17

neuropathic pain

Answer 17

trigeminal neuralgia, paroxysmal limb pain (abnormal burning or aching)
neuropathic pain is from spinothalamic tract lesion.

Question 18

pseudobulbar affect

Answer 18

involuntary emotional expression disorder
sudden and unpredictable episode of crying, laughing, or other emotional display

Question 19

Lhermitte sign

Answer 19

experience of an electric shock sensation down the spine w/ neck flexion

Question 20

Uhthoff phenomenon

Answer 20

increased neurological S/S due to heat. Also known as pseudo exacerbation or pseudo attack

Question 21

Proper diagnosis

Answer 21

Evidence of damage must be present in 2 separate areas of the CNS and at 2 separate times (1 month apart)

Question 22

Types of MS

Answer 22

relapsing-remitting
primary progressive
secondary progressive

Question 23

relapsing remitting

Answer 23

short duration attacks with full or partial recovery

Question 24

primary progressive

Answer 24

steady decline of function without attacks

Question 25

secondary progressive

Answer 25

initially relapsing remitting type followed by decline of function without periods of remission.