Neuro Flashcards
Summarise Motor component in GCS
- Obeys commands
- Localises to pain
- Withdraws from pain
- Abnormal flexion to pain (decorticate posture)
- Extending to pain
- None
Summarise Verbal response in GCS
- Orientated
- Confused
- Words
- Sounds
- None
Summarise Eye opening in GCS
- Spontaneous
- To speech
- To pain
- None
How much does spontaneous eye opening score?
4
How much does eye opening to speech score?
3
How much does eye opening to pain score
2
How much does a verbal response of sounds score?
2
How much does a verbal response of words score?
3
How much does a verbal response of confused words score?
4
How much does localising pain score?
5
How much does withdrawing from pain score?
4
How much does abnormal flexion in response to pain score?
3
How much does extension to pain score?
2
features of temporal lobe seizure
May occur with or without impairment of consciousness or awareness
An aura occurs in most patients
typically a rising epigastric sensation
also psychic or experiential phenomena, such as déjà vu, jamais vu
less commonly hallucinations (auditory/gustatory/olfactory)
Seizures typically last around one minute
automatisms (e.g. lip smacking/grabbing/plucking) are common
features of frontal lobe seizures [4]
Head/leg movements
posturing
post-ictal weakness
Jacksonian march
features of parietal lobe seizures [4]
Paraesthesia
electric shock type sensations
hallucinations
dizziness.
features of occipital lobe seizures
floaters/ flashes
key features of MND
asymmetric limb weakness is the most common presentation of ALS
the mixture of lower motor neuron and upper motor neuron signs
wasting of the small hand muscles/tibialis anterior is common
fasciculations
the absence of sensory signs/symptoms
vague sensory symptoms may occur early in the disease (e.g. limb pain) but ‘never’ sensory signs
doesn’t affect external ocular muscles
no cerebellar signs
abdominal reflexes are usually preserved
sphincter dysfunction if present is a late feature
which MND has the best prognosis
progressive muscular atrophy
which MND has the worst prognosis
progressive bulbar palsy
which MND has UMN signs only
Primary Lateral Sclerosis
which MND has UMN and LMN signs
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
UMN in the legs
LMN in the arms
which MND has LMN signs only
Progressive muscular atrophy
abx for cerebral abscess
cephalosporin plus metronidazole
adverse reaction of carbamazepine
SJS
first line treatment for MS related spasticity
baclofen
gabapentin
drug treatment for MS related fatigue
amantidine
once other problems (e.g. anaemia, thyroid or depression)
CN 5 affected by acoustic neuroma causing
absence of corneal reflex
which cranial nerves can be affected by an acoustic neuroma
5,7, 8
CN 8 affected by acoustic neuroma causing [3]
unilateral tinnitus
unilateral sensory hearing loss
vertigo
drugs that predispose to Idiopathic intracranial Hypertension [5]
COCP
tetracyclines
steroids
retinoids
lithium
nerve roots for Klumpke
C8-T1
the lowest branch
nerve root for Horner’s
T1
treatment for spasticity in MS
baclofen or gabapentin
how does a chronic bleed present on CT head?
hypodense
how does an acute bleed present on CT head?
hyperdense
how is an acute subdural managed?
Small or incidental acute subdurals can be observed conservatively. Surgical options include monitoring of intracranial pressure and decompressive craniectomy.
how is a chronic subdural managed?
an incidental finding or if it is small in size with no associated neurological deficit can be managed conservatively with the hope that it will dissolve with time.
If the patient is confused, has an associated neurological deficit or has severe imaging findings then surgical decompression with burr holes is required.
investigation of choice for acoustic neuroma
what else is done alongside this?
gadolinium-enhanced MRI of cerebellopontine angle
with audiogram
which vessel is occluded in Lateral Medullary Syndrome?
posterior inferior cerebellar artery.
what are the cerebellar features of Lateral Medullary Syndrome
ataxia
nystagmus
what are the brainstem features of Lateral Medullary Syndrome?
ipsilateral: dysphagia, facial numbness, cranial nerve palsy e.g. Horner’s
contralateral: limb sensory loss
what is Lateral Medullary Syndrome also known as ?
Wallenberg’s Syndrome
what is the preferred method of nutrition for patients with Motor Neurone Disease?
percutaneous gastrostomy tube (PEG
examples of 5HT-3 antagonists [2]
ondansetron
palonosetron
adverse effects of 5HT-3 antagonists [2]
prolonged QTc
constipation
where do 5HT-3 antagonists act
CTZ in medulla oblongata
mode of inheritance of charcot Marie tooth
Autosomal dominant
features of charcot Marie tooth [4]
motor symptoms mainly
distal muscle wasting
pes cavus, clawed toes
high stepping gait due to foot drop
how long can’t someone drive for an unprovoked/first seizure with no abnormal scans
6 months
how long can’t someone drive for an seizure with abnormal scans
12 months
how long can’t someone drive if they have multiple TIAs over a short period.
3 months
how long can’t someone drive if they have had a stroke or TIA with no neurological deficits
1 month
how long can’t someone drive if they have had a craniotomy e.g. for meningioma
1 year
how long can’t someone drive for single episode of syncope that was explained and treated
4 weeks
how long can’t someone drive for single episode of syncope that was not explained
6 months
how long can’t someone drive for two or more episodes of syncope
12 months
first line treatment for essential tremor
propanolol
differences between essential and Parkinsonian tremor
Essential: mildly asymmetrical, action tremor
Parkinsons: very asymmetrical, rest tremor
mode of inheritance of essential tremor
autosomal dominant
what is secondary progressive MS
describes relapsing-remitting patients who have deteriorated and have developed neurological signs and symptoms between relapses
what is primary progressive MS
progressive deterioration from onset
visual symptoms of MS [4]
optic neuritis
optic atrophy
Uthoffs phenomenon
internuclear ophthalmoplegia
motor symptoms of MS [1]
spastic weakness
Sensory symptoms of MS [4]
Pins and needles
Lhermitte’s phenomenon
trigeminal neuralgia
numbness
Cerebellar symptoms of MS
ataxia
tremor
associated symptoms of Bells palsy [4]
hyperacusis
dry eyes
altered taste
post-auricular pain
when should Bell’s palsy patients be referred to urgently ENT
if treatment does not improve symptoms after 3 weeks
Hypo on CT ?shade
dark
4 pillars of Parkinsons
Bradykinesia
Resting tremor
Postural instability
Rigidity
additional symptoms are Parkinsons+
muscles innervated by the ulnar nerve [5]
medial two lumbricals
aDductor pollicis
interossei
hypothenar muscles: abductor digiti minimi, flexor digiti minimi
flexor carpi ulnaris
what is a cause of ulnar nerve neuropathy
Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
Three meds that can be given after the second dose of IV lorazepam in acute seizure management
Phenytoin
Sodium valporate
Levetiracetam (mostly used)
mode of inheritance of tuberous sclerosis
autosomal dominant
how do symptoms present in alcoholic neuropathy
sensory symptoms before motor symptoms
which part of the spinal tracts are affected first in B12 deficiency
Dorsal columns (joint position and vibration)
Main treatment of degenerative cervical myelopathy
decompressive surgery
what sign is positive in degenerative cervical myelopathy
Hoffman’s sign
features of degenerative cervical myelopathy
pain in the neck, arms, and legs
loss of sensory, motor (fine, dexterity) and autonomic function
what is degenerative cervical myelopathy often misdiagnosed as
carpal tunnel syndrome
what causes autonomic dysreflexia?
patients who have had a spinal cord injury at, or above T6 spinal level.
What may trigger autonomic dysreflexia?
most commonly triggered by faecal impaction or urinary retention
features of autonomic dysreflexia [4]
extreme hypertension
flushing
sweating above the level of the cord lesion
agitation
and in untreated cases severe consequences of extreme hypertension have been reported, e.g. haemorrhagic stroke.
treatment of autonomic dysreflexia
Management of autonomic dysreflexia involves removal/control of the stimulus and treatment of any life-threatening hypertension and/or bradycardia.
what site of the brain are vestibular schwannomas found?
cerebellopontine angle
features of vestibular schwannomas [4]
vertigo
hearing loss
tinnitus
an absent corneal reflex and cranial nerves pathology (5,7,8)
which part of the spine convey the sensation of fine touch, proprioception and vibration
dorsal column
are UMN or LMN signs seen in poliomyelitis?
affects anterior horns resulting in lower motor neuron signs
MoA of acetozolamide
carbonic anhydrase inhibitor
treatment of myasthenic crisis
IVIG and plasmapheresis
which malignancy is associated with myasthenia gravis
thymoma
first line treatment of myasthenia gravis
pyridostigmine (long acting acetylcholinesterase inhibitor)
neostigmine
why can extradural haematoma present with fixed dilated pupil
uncal herniation compresses CNIII
which brain bleed features a lucid interval
extradural