Neuro Flashcards
Headache - unilateral, intense, episodic, lacrimation + restless?
cluster
investigation of choice for cluster headache?
MRI with gondalium contrast
acute cluster headache management?
- oxygen
- subcut triptan
chronic cluster headache prophylaxis?
verapamil
facial palsy - LMN vs ULM how to tell?
LMN- affects all facial muscles
ULM - spares the upper face (forehead)
causes of bilateral facial palsy?
sacoidosis
lyme disease
Guillian-barre syndrome
bilateral acoustic neuroma
bell’s palsy
causes of unilateral facial palsy?
Bell’s palsy
Ramsay-Hunt syndrome (due to herpes zoster)
acoustic neuroma
parotid tumours
HIV
multiple sclerosis*
diabetes mellitus
stroke
LMN lesion symptoms + post-auricular pain + hyperacusis + dry eyes + altered taste - what is it?
Bells palsy
management of bells palsy?
prednisolone + lubricating eye care
ear pain + vesicular rash around ear + facial palsy - what is it?
Ramsay Hunt syndrome
management of Ramsay hunt syndrome?
oral aciclovir and corticosteroids
management of suspected encephalitis?
IV aciclovir
investigations for encephalitis?
CSF - elevated lymphocytes + protein
PCR for HSV, VZV + enterovirus
Neuroimagining
EEG
urinary incontinence + dementia + gait instability = ?
normal pressure hydrocephalus
management of normal pressure hydrocephalus?
ventriculoperitoneal shunting
Myasthenia gravis investigations?
- single fibre electromyography
- antibodies to acetylcholine receptors
- Muscle-specific kinase (MuSK) antibodies
- CT or MRI of thymus
- Edrophonium Test - only if doubt about diagnosis
which malignancy is associated with myasthenia gravis?
thymomas
management of myasthenia gravis?
long-acting acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (pyridostigmine - first-line)
immunosuppression (not initially but most patients require it eventually) - prednisolone
thymectomy
monoclonal antibodies e.g. Rituximab
management of myasthenic crisis?
plasmapheresis
IV immunoglobulins
Non invasive ventilation with Bipap or intubation
suspected stroke first line investigation?
non-contrast CT head
which scoring system is used for stroke?
ROSIER
suspected spinal cord compression investigation?
MRI whole spine
What is ‘status epilepticus”?
a single seizure lasting >5 minutes,
OR
>= 2 seizures within a 5-minute period without the person returning to normal between them
first line drugs for status epilepticus?
IV benzodiazepines such as diazepam or lorazepam
2nd line drugs for status epilepticus?
phenytoin or phenobarbital infusion
What is Guillain-Barre syndrome?
immune-mediated demyelination of the peripheral nervous system often triggered by an infection (classically Campylobacter jejuni).
Investigations for Guillain-Barre syndrome?
- Lumber puncture - protein rise + normal WCC
- nerve conduction studies - (decreased motor nerve conduction velocity (due to demyelination)
prolonged distal motor latency
increased F wave latency)
How does Guillain-Barre syndrome present?
initially - leg/back pain (65%)
Progressive, symmetrical weakness of all the limbs
+ ascending fashion (legs first)
+ reduced/absent reflexes
+ mild sensory symptoms (e.g. distal paraesthesia)
other symptoms -
respiratory muscle weakness
cranial nerve involvement
autonomic involvement (diarrhoea, retention)
papilloedema
Treatment for trigeminal neuralgia?
carbamazepine
Unilateral ‘electric shock’ pain on light touch = ?
trigeminal neuralgia
Management of normal pressure hydrocephalus?
Surgery is ventriculo-peritoneal shunting
If unfit for surgery then conservative treatment and repeated CSF taps.
Investigations in normal pressure hydrocephalus?
MRI or non-contrast CT Head - enlarged ventricles
Walking and cognitive assessment before and after large volume CSF removal - definite investigation.
Investigations for multiple sclerosis?
MRI with contrast - brain and spine
CSF - oligoclonal bands
How does MS present?
- Optic neuritis - most commonly
- Focal weakness (Bells palsy, Horners syndrome, Limb paralysis, Incontinence)
- sensory symptoms (Trigeminal neuralgia, Numbness
,Paraesthesia ) - ataxia
Treatment for acute relapse of MS?
methylprednisolone (500mg oral for 5 days OR 1g IV for 3-5 days)
Head/leg movements, posturing, post-ictal weakness, Jacksonian march seizure = which part of brain affected?
frontal lobe
Paraesthesia seizure = which part of brain affected?
parietal lobe
Floaters / flashes in seizure = which part of brain affected?
occipital lobe
lip smacking/grabbing/plucking + post-ictal dysphasia seizure = which brain part affected?
temporal lobe
seizure with ‘aura’ or deja vu or hallucinations = which part of brain?
temporal
Investigation for neoplastic spinal cord compression?
Whole spine MRI within 24 hours
Treatment for neoplastic spinal cord compression?
high-dose oral dexamethasone
urgent oncological assessment for consideration of radiotherapy or surgery
When would you refer someone with trigeminal neuralgia?
failure to respond to treatment or atypical features (e.g. < 50 years old) should prompt referral to neurology
What is parkinsons disease?
progressive reduction of dopamine in the basal ganglia of the brain, leading to disorders of movement.
Triad of symptoms for parkinsons disease?
Resting tremor
Rigidity
Bradykinesia
Treatment for parkinsons disease with functional impairement?
levodopa (Co-careldopa = levodopa combined with carbidopa)
dopamine agonists e.g. bromocryptine or Monoamine Oxidase-B Inhibitors e.g. Selegiline can be added as adjuvants or to delay use of levodopa
Symptoms of cerebellar syndrome (DANISH)?
D - Dysdiadochokinesia, Dysmetria (past-pointing), patients may appear ‘Drunk’
A - Ataxia (limb, truncal)
N - Nystamus (horizontal = ipsilateral hemisphere)
I - Intention tremour
S - Slurred staccato speech, Scanning dysarthria
H - Hypotonia
What is a seizure?
transient episode of abnormal electrical activity
Investigations for epilepsy?
EEG
MRI brain
What are the different types of seizures?
Generalised tonic-clonic
focal seizure
absence
atonic
myoclonic
Infantile spasms
Management of Generalised tonic-clonic seizures?
MALE:
sodium valproate - 1st line
lamotrigine or levetiracetam - 2nd line
FEMALE:
lamotrigine or levetiracetam - 1st line
Presentation of Generalised tonic-clonic?
loss of consciousness
tonic (muscle tensing) and clonic (muscle jerking) episodes
tongue biting
incontinence
groaning
irregular breathing
prolonged post-ictal period following seizure (confused, drowsy)
Focal seizure - which part of brain typically affected first?
temporal lobes
Presentation of focal seizure?
Affect hearing, speech, memory and emotions:
- hallucination
- memory flashback
- Deja vu
- repetitive behaviour (e.g. lip smacking)
Management of focal seizures?
Levetiracetam or lamotrigine - 1st line
Carbamezapine - 2nd line
Presentation of absence seizure?
- typically in children
- patient becomes blank, stares into space
- unaware of surroundings
- last 10-20 seconds
Management of absence seizure?
Ethosuximide- 1st line
MALES - sodium valproate - 2nd line
FEMALEs - lamotrigine/levetiracetam
Presentation of atonic seizure?
“drop attacks” - lapse in muscle tone
<3mins
Management of atonic seizure?
sodium valproate - 1st line - MALES
lamotrigine - 2nd line - FEMALES
Presentation of myoclonic seizure?
-sudden brief muscle contractions
-patient awake during episode
-typically in children as part of juvenile myoclonic epilepsy
Management of myoclonic seizure?
sodium valproate - 1st line - MALES
levetiracetam - 1st line - FEMALES
lamotrigine or levetiracetam or topiramate - 2nd line
Infantile spasm presentation?
- around 6 months of age
- clusters of full body spasms