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Pathologies of Neuro > Multiple Sclerosis > Flashcards

Multiple Sclerosis Flashcards

1
Q

Define MS

A

Inflammatory Autoimmune Demyelinating (white matter) disease of the CNS.

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2
Q

When does MS generally present?

A

In young people from their teens->30s

Primary Progressive (PPMS) tends to show up later in life (50s/60s)

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3
Q

Who is predisposed to MS?

A

People with other autoimmune conditions

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4
Q

Describe the prevalence of MS?

A

In scotland its roughly 190/100,000
2 or 3x more common in women than men
Most common in white northern countries such as the UK & Canada. (Possibly because of less sunlight, as Vit D deficiency is a risk factor for MS)

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5
Q

How do most MS sufferer’s initially present?

A

In early life during a relapse

A few days gradual onset of symptoms then it takes a few weeks to stabilize and they recover slowly in hospital.

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6
Q

What types of relapses are common in MS?

A
  • Optic Neuritis
  • Spinal Cord (Myelitis)
  • Brain Stem & Cerebellar
  • Sensory symptoms
  • Limb Weakness
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7
Q

What symptoms are a part of optic neuritis?

A

Due to inflammation of the optic nerve:

  • Starts off as swelling round the optic disc
  • Turns into a pupillary defect as it develops: becomes more difficult to move the pupil
  • Subacute visual loss
  • Pain on moving the eye
  • Colour vision disturbed
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8
Q

What are the types of myelitis?

A

Partial (one sided) or transverse (complete)

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9
Q

What are the effects of myelitis?

A
  • Weakness: UMN syndrome below the level of the myelitis
  • The affected level may have hyperaesthesia (physical hypersensitivity)
  • Bladder and Bowel Symptoms
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10
Q

How would a brainstem relapse present?

A
  • Cranial Nerve Involvement
  • Cerebellum (Vertigo, ataxia, nystagmus)
  • Can affect the sensory fibres or UMNs
  • Internuclear Opthalmoplegia
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11
Q

What is internuclear opthalmoplegia

A

Occurs due to MS affecting the Pons, (specifically the nerve fibres connecting the nuclei of VI & III)

Ipsilateral slow & deficient adduction + Contralateral Abducting Nystagmus
when you look contralateral to the effected eye.

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12
Q

What kind of sensory symptoms can occur in an MS relapse?

A

Numbness, tingling, lack of sensation or pain are common

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13
Q

What kind of motor symptoms come with an MS relapse?

A
  • Clumsiness
  • Spasticity
  • Tremors
  • Weakness
  • Hypereflexia
    etc
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14
Q

Dsecribe the progression of MS?

A

Most MS presents with a relapse:

  • Then the relapse heals and the disease follows a pattern of relapse & remission, possibly with some permanent disability developing after each relapse
  • Most people eventually develop Secondary Progressive MS where the disease remains active between relapses resulting in progressively worsening disability
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15
Q

What sort of effects can develop in progressive MS?

A
  • Fatigue
  • Unusual sensation
  • Stiffness, spasms, weakness, hyperreflexia, plantar extension
  • Speech & swallowing problems
  • Bladder & bowel symptoms
  • Visual loss/oscillopsia/diplopia
  • Balance problems
  • Cognitive. Mainly mild memory impairment
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16
Q

How do we diagnose MS?

A

Either clinically using Poser’s Criteria
Or by MRI using Macdonald’s Criteria

Remember MS is recurrent episodes of demyelination disseminated by time & space, just one episode isnt yet MS

17
Q

How does MS appear on an MRI?

A
  • Sites of recent inflammation show up as white lesions or plaques
  • Axonal loss then appears as black holes and in severe cases as cerebral atrophy
18
Q

If you are unsure its MS after an MRI, what other tests can be done?

A
  • Bloods looking for other inflammatory conditions
  • CXR for inflammatory conditions like Sarcoid
  • LP, oligoclonal bands in CSF but not in the blood indicates MS
19
Q

What are the types of MS?

A
  • Relapsing Remitting (RRMS) 85% of cases at the outset
  • Secondary Progressive (SPMS)
  • Primary Progressive (PPMS)
  • Sensory MS
  • Malignant MS
20
Q

Describe the pattern of Relapsing Remitting MS?

A

Episodes of demyelination causing varying severity of symptoms with complete recovery between relapses

(most eventually become SPMS)

21
Q

Describe the pattern of Secondary Progressive MS?

A

Relapses with progressively worsening disability

22
Q

Describe the pattern of Sensory MS?

A

Minor episodes of sensory symptoms with good recovery

23
Q

Describe the pattern of primary progressive MS?

A

Progressively worsening disability right from the outset

24
Q

What would indicate a worse prognosis for MS?

A
  • Male
  • Older
  • Multifocal Signs/Symptoms
  • Motor Symptoms
  • Close 1st & 2nd relapse
  • Lots of relapses in the 1st 5 yrs
25
Q

Whats different about Primary Progressive MS?

A

It usually presents in the 50s or 60s rather than in youth

Its even between genders (MS is generally more common in women)

Poor Prognosis

26
Q

How do we treat an acute relapse of MS?

A
  • Look for an underlying infection
  • IV or Oral Prednisalone
  • Rehabilitation
  • Symptom treatment

Also vaccinate against viral infections to reduce future relapses

27
Q

What are disease modifying treatments?

A

Treatments that reduce the relapse rate

however they dont slow progression or reduce the severity of the disease

28
Q

What are the types of 1st line disease modifying treatments?

A

SC/IM injections (e.g. Beta-interferons)

Oral (E.g. Teriflunomide)

29
Q

What are the side effects of 1st line disease modifying treatments?

A
  • Flu-like Symptoms
  • Abnormal blood count or liver function
  • Injection site reaction
30
Q

List some second line disease modifying treatments?

A
  • Monthy Infusion of Natalizumab
  • Yrly Infusion of Alemtuzumub
  • Tablets of Fingolimod
31
Q

Name one side effect of Fingolimod tablets?

A

Arrythmias

32
Q

All these disease modifying treatments are immunosupressants. What kind of conditions does this increase your risk of?

A

Other infections and autoimmune conditions suhc as:

  • Autoimmune Thyroid Disease
  • Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura
  • Goodpasture’s Disease
  • Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML)
33
Q

What is PML and how does it relate to MS?

A

Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy

A severe demyelinating disease of the brain caused by the JC virus

People on MS disease modifying treatments are predisposed to PML so get an annual MRI and JC antibody blood/urine tests every 6 months

34
Q

We also give symptomatic treatment to help people manage MS, such as?

A
  • Muscle relaxants, antispasmodics & physiotherapy for motor symptoms
  • Anticholinergics for Overactive bladder
  • Bladder stimulators
  • Laxatives for constipation
  • Graded exercise & meds for fatigue
  • CBT & meds for depression
  • Speech & language therapy for speech problems
  • Can also help with tremors and memory impairment
35
Q

Whos included in an MS MDT?

A
  • MS nurse
  • Physiotherapy
  • Occupational Therapy
  • Dieticians
  • Speech & Language Therapists
  • Psychology/Psychiatry
  • Continence Advisors
  • Rehab Specialists
36
Q

What is L’hermittes Sign?

A

A sudden electric shock travelling down your neck into your spine and somtimes to your limbs when you bend you head forward.
Its due to miscommunication between nerves in the spine that are no longer seperated by myelin sheaths

Pathologies of Neuro (25 decks)

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