Neuro Flashcards
Define TIA
Rapid onset Neurological deficit of vascular origin that resolves spontaneously within 24 hours
Define stroke
Rapid onset Neurological deficit of vascular origin that does not completely resolves within 24 hours
What are signs and symptoms of stroke and TIA
Vision loss, vertigo, dizziness
Dysarthria, dysphagia
paralysis
Nausea and vomiting
What are investigations for TIA / stroke
Bedside: ECG, capillary glucose
Bloods: FBC, U&E, lipids, venous glucose, clotting, cardiac enzymes, G&S
Imaging: CT Head, carotid doppler
Consider swallow assessment
What score can you use to estimate risk of stroke following TIA
ABCD2
How do you manage TIA
Immediately: aspirin 300mg (unlesss CI)
Review and assessment by specialist
Ongoing management: clopidogrel 75mg PO OD + statin 80mg
Consider carotid artery endarterectomy
What are the two maain causes of stroke and what is their likelyhood
ischaemic 80%
haemorrhagic 20%
What classification is used for stroke
Bamford classification
How do you manage a haemorrhagaic stroke
SAH: Nimodipine (CCB for 21 days) + coiling or surgical clipping
How do you manage an ischaemic stroke
AFTER EXCLUDING HAEMORRHAGE:
- Aspirin 300mg PO (PR if impaired swallow)
- Consider thrombolysis with tPA if:
- Age < 80 yrs and < 4.5 hours from start of symptoms
- Age > 80 yrs and < 3 hours from start of symptoms - Consider thrombectomy <6 hours from start of symptoms
How do you differentiate between haemorrhagic and ischaemic stroke
CT head - look for visible haemorrhage
what causes a SAH
spontaneous or traumatic head injury
85% are associated with Berry aneurysm (saccular) - RF HTN, PKD, Connective tissue disease, HTN, smoking
What are sx of SAH
thunderclap headache across back nausea and vomiting photophobia neck stiffness reduced consciousness
Long term mx of ischaemic stroke
First 2 weeks: 300 mg Aspirin (PR if impaired swallow)
After 2 weeks: change to 75 mg CLOPIDOGREL + Statin (e.g. atorvastatin 80mg)
— or ASPIRIN 75mg + DIPYRIDAMOLE + STATIN
If AF: warfarin / apixaban + statin
Alongside with:
o BP control
o Feeding assessment (screen for safe swallow withni 24h, otherwise NG tube)
o Anticoagulants (e.g. apixaban or warfarin) if co-existing AF
What are core symptoms of Parkinsons
bradykinesia + stooped, shuffling gait
hypertonia (leadpipe rigidity, cogwheeling)
pill-rolling tremor (resting tremor)
+ hypomimic face,
What are ix for suspected PD
CT/MRI head to esclude vascular causes
DaTScan (= dopamine transporter scan)
What is the general approach to managing PD
- MDT approach
- Disability UPDRS (uniified PD rating scale)
- Physiotherapy (postural exercised)
- Depression screen
What are medications for PD management
LEVODOPA + dopa decarboxylase inhibitor e.g. CO-CARELDOPA
Otherwise: MAO-B inhibitors (e.g. seleginine) , DA agonists (pramipexole, ropinirole)
What is indication for levodopa
motor symptoms
What are siide effects of levodopa
DOPAMINE
Dyskinesia On/off phenomena Psychosis Arterial BP low Mouth dry Insomniia N&V EDS
What are Parkinson PLUS syndromes?
Multiple Systems Atriiphy
Progressive Supranuclear Palsy
Corticobasilar Degeneration
Dementiia with Lewy Bodiea
Features of Multiple Systems Atrophy
Autonomic dysfunction (postural hypotension, bladder dysfunction)
Cerebellar ataxia
Rigidity, tremor
Features of Progressive supranuclear palsy
Vertical gaze palsy
postural instability &T falls
Speech disturbance
Dementia (forgetfulness, personality change)
Fts of Corticobasilar degeneration
Unilateral parkinsonism
Aphasia
Astereognosis (cortical sensory loss > alien limb phenomenon)