NEURO Flashcards
WHat are the different CSF investigations?
- pressure - normal 10-18cmH20 on side or 20-30 if sitting up
- bichemistry
- microscopy
- Culture
- PCR
what are normal CSF findings?
5-20cmH20 pressure normal/clear appearance 0.18-0.45 protein glucose 2.5-3.5 normal gram stain WCC <3
Bacterial Meningitis on CSF?
>30cmH20 (raised pressure) turbid/cloudy appearance >1 protein <2.2 glucose 60-80% +ve gram stain WCC >500
Viral meningitis on CSF?
Normal or mildy increased pressure clear appeance <1 protein normal glucose normal gram stain <1000 WCC - monocytes
Fungal/TB meningitis on CSF?
fibrin web appearance 0.1-0.5 protein 1.6-2.5 glucose 100-500 WCC - monocytes
Indications of a lumbar puncture?
diagnosing meningitis/encephalitis diganosis of MS/GBS/Sarcoid diagnosis of SAH Measure pressure - intracranial HTN therapeutic removal of CSF
contraindications of Lumbar puncture?
suspicion of mass lesion in brain/spinal cord
raised ICP
local infection near site of LP
Congenital spinal problems - spina bifida
low platelets (<40), on anticoags or coagulopathy
SAH CSF/LP results …..
…..
blood-stained initially, then xanthochromia (yellowish) of LP >12hrs later,
elevated opening pressure, elevated WBC to RBC 1:1000, elevated RBC,
normal glucose,
elevated protein
GBS CSF/LP results ,…….
...... clear or xanthochromia appearance, normal/elevated opening pressure, WCC normal, Glucose normal, elevated protein
Multiple sclerosis results …..
.... clear appearance, normal opening pressure, WBC 0-20cells/uL (mainly lymphocytes), glucose normal, protein mildly elevated
When are nerve conduction studies used?
carpel tunnel syndrome
GBS
peripheral sensory/motor problems
what are contraindications of nerve conduction tests?
anticoagulation
what are complications of nerve conduction tests?
risk of infection
bleeding
pain
damage to underlying structures of nerves
CT indications:
tumours intracerebral haemorrhages intracerebral infarction sub/epidural haematomas, sub-arachnoid bleed, lateral shift in structures ventricular dilatatin, atrophy bone
risks/contraindications of CT scans?
pregnancy, young and women - risk of radiation
contrast - allergy/renal impairment
what is an MRI?
a strong magnetic field that forces protons in the body to align with that field
when radiofrequency turned off - energy released as protons realign is detected by sensors
pros of MRI?
pros = analyse brain soft tissue more detail spinal cord nerve roots skill base resolution no radiation angiogram (MRA) - without contrast
cons of MRI?
takes 30-80mins noisy claustrophobic expensive access to MRI scanner
risk and contraindications of MRI?
pacemaker/metal work/foreign bodies
non-compliant patients (younger patients/diabilities)
IV contrast is used
Investigations for suspected bacterial meningitis?
LP - CSF stain and cultures, bacterial antigen and PCR
Blood culture
Imaging - CT to r/o intracranial pathology
Bloods - FBC, CRP, Coag, Blood PCR, Glucose
Blood gas
Investigations for suspected viral meningitis?
LP - CSF
Viral PCR
Investigations for suspected whipple’s disease?
jejunal biopsy - usually has deposition of macrophages containing PAS granules