NEURO Flashcards
STROKE
What are the causes of ischaemic strokes?
small vessel occlusion by thrombus
atherothromboembolism (e.g. from carotid artery)
cardioembolism (post MI, valve disease, IE)
hyper viscosity
hypoperfusion
vasculitis
fat emboli from a long bone fracture
venous sinus thrombosis
STROKE
What are the causes of haemorrhagic stroke?
Bleeding from the brain vasculature
- Hypertension - stiff and brittle vessels, prone to rupture
- Secondary to ischaemic stroke - bleeding after reperfusion
- Head trauma
- Arteriovenous malformations
- Vasculitis
- Vascular tumours
- Carotid artery dissection
STROKE
What are some important differentials of stroke?
- Metabolic (hypo or hyperglycaemia, electrolytes)
- Intracranial tumours, hemiplegic migraine
- Infection (meningitis)
- Head injury, seizure (focal > Todd’s paralysis)
STROKE
What other investigations may you do in stroke?
- ECG 72h tape to look for paroxysmal AF, MI.
- ECHO to check for endocarditis or CHD
- CTA/MRA or carotid doppler USS to look for dissection or carotid stenosis
STROKE
What are some contraindications to treatment with alteplase?
- Haemorrhagic stroke
- Recent surgery
- GI bleeding
- Pregnancy
- Hx of intracranial haemorrhage
- Active cancer
STROKE
What medication and general management may be given in stroke prevention?
- Antiplatelets (lifelong clopidogrel or aspirin + dipyridamole if cardiac disease)
- Anticoagulation if have AF but wait 2w post-stroke
- Manage co-morbidities (HTN, DM)
- Cholesterol >3.5mmol/L diet + 80mg atorvastatin
- VTE assessment + monitor for infection
STROKE
What is the CHA2DS2-VaSc score
- Congestive heart failure
- HTN
- Age 65-74 (1), ≥75 (2)
- Diabetes
- Prev stroke/TIA (2)
- Vascular disease
- Sex female
- 1 = consider anticoagulation, ≥2 = anticoagulate
STROKE
What is the HAS-BLED score?
- HTN >160mmHg
- Abnormal liver/renal function
- Stroke
- Bleeding Hx or predisposition
- Labile INR
- Elderly >65y
- Drug/alcohol use
- ≥3 = high risk of bleeding
SAH
What is the pathophysiology of a subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH)?
- tissue ischaemia - less blood, O2 and nutrients can reach the tissue due to bleeding loss -> cell death
- raised ICP - fast flowing arterial blood is pumped into the cranial space
- space occupying lesion - puts pressure on the brain
- brain irritates meninges - these inflame causing meningism symptoms. This can obstruct CSF outflow -> hydrocephalus
- vasospasm - bleeding irritates other vessels -> ischaemic injury
SAH
What is the management of SAH?
- NIMOPIDINE for 3 weeks -> CCB which prevents vasospasm so reduces cerebral ischaemia
- surgery = endovascular coiling
- IV fluids - maintain cerebral perfusion
- ventricular drainage for hydrocephalus
EDH
What are some differentials for EDH?
- Epilepsy,
- CO poisoning,
- carotid dissection
EDH
What is the management for EDH?
STABILISE PATIENT
URGENT SURGERY
clot evacuation
ligation of bleeding vessel
IV MANNITOL
- to reduce ICP
airway care
- intubation and ventilation
SDH
What is the pathophysiology of a SDH?
- bleeding from bridging veins into the subdural space forms a haematoma
- then bleeding stops
- weeks/months later the haematoma starts to autolyse - massive increase in oncotic and osmotic pressure. Water is sucked in and haematoma enlarges
- gradual rise in ICP over weeks
- midline structures shift away from side of clot - causes tentorial herniation and coning
SDH
What is the management of SDH?
SURGERY
1* = irrigation via burr-hole craniostomy
2* = craniotomy
IV MANNITOL - to reduce ICP
address cause of trauma
EPILEPSY
Define epilepsy
Recurrent, spontaneous, intermittent abnormal electrical activity in part of the brain, manifesting seizures
EPILEPSY
what is the treatment for absence (petit mal) epilepsy?
Sodium Valproate for Males & women unable to childbear,
Ethosuximide to females of childbearing potential
STATUS EPILEPTICUS
What are some causes of status epilepticus?
- Poor adherence #1
- Infections (meningitis, encephalitis)
- Worsening of primary cause of epilepsy (e.g. brain tumour growing)
LOC
What are the potential causes of LOC?
CRASH
- Cardiogenic (more alarming)
- Reflex (neurally mediated)
- Arterial
- Systemic
- Head
PARKINSON’S DISEASE
What are 4 differential diagnoses to consider in Parkinson’s disease?
Parkinson’s plus syndromes –
- Progressive supranuclear palsy
- Multiple system atrophy
- Lewy Body dementia
- Corticobasal degeneration
PARKINSON’S DISEASE
What is progressive supranuclear palsy?
- Early falls, cognitive decline or both sides being equally affected
- Occurs above nuclei of CN3, 4 + 6 so difficulty moving eyes
- Impaired vertical gaze (down worse = issues reading or descending stairs)
- Ocular cephalic reflex present (caused by supranuclear issue) where they tilt/turn their head to look at things rather than moving eyes
PARKINSON’S DISEASE
What is multiple system atrophy?
- Neurones in multiple systems in the brain degenerate
- Degeneration in basal ganglia > Parkinsonism
- Degeneration in other areas > early autonomic (postural hypotension + falls, bladder/bowel dysfunction) + cerebellar (ataxia) dysfunction
PARKINSON’S DISEASE
What is corticobasal degeneration?
- Early myoclonic jerks, gait apraxia, agnosia + alien limb
PARKINSON’S DISEASE
What investigations would you do in Parkinson’s disease?
DaTscan
Functional neuroimaging - PET
Can confirm by reaction to levodopa
PARKINSON’S DISEASE
What is the management of Parkinson’s disease?
- Lifestyle: education, exercise, physio, MDT
young onset + fit
- Dopamine agonist (ropinirole)
- MAO-B inhibitor (rasagiline)
- L-DOPA (co-careldopa)
frail + co-morbidities
- L-DOPA (co-careldopa)
- MAO-B inhibitor (rasagiline)
HUNTINGTON’S DISEASE
What is the pathophysiology of Huntington’s disease?
- Less GABA causes less regulation of dopamine to striatum causing increased dopamine levels resulting in excessive thalamic stimulation and subsequently increased movement (chorea)
HUNTINGTON’S DISEASE
How does Huntington’s disease present?
● Main sign is hyperkinesia
● Characterised by:
○ Chorea, dystonia, and incoordination
● Psychiatric issues
● Depression
● Cognitive impairment, behavioural difficulties
● Irritability, agitation, anxiety
HUNTINGTON’S DISEASE
What investigations would you do for Huntington’s disease?
- GENETIC TESTING - with pre- + post-test counselling (cannot give to children have to be old enough to decide themselves), high risk of suicide with diagnosis
- MRI HEAD - shows atrophy of striatum
HEADACHES
What is the management of acute glaucoma?
- Immediate expert help + IV acetazolamide (carbonic anhydrase inhibitor)
TRIGEMINAL NEURALGIA
What is the pathophysiology of trigeminal neuralgia?
What is affected?
- Compression of trigeminal nerve results in demyelination + excitation of the nerve resulting in erratic pain signalling
- Affects all 3 ophthalmic (V1), maxillary (V2) + mandibular (V3) branches but V3 mostly
TRIGEMINAL NEURALGIA
What are the causes of trigeminal neuralgia?
Compression of trigeminal nerve by a loop of vein or artery
Aneurysms
Meningeal inflammation
Tumours
MIGRAINE
What are the triggers of migraines?
CHOCOLATE –
- Chocolate
- Hangovers
- Orgasms
- Cheese/caffeine
- Oral contraceptives
- Lie-ins
- Alcohol
- Travel
- Exercise
MND
What are the 4 types of MND?
Best and worse prognosis?
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
- Progressive bulbar palsy (worst prognosis)
- Progressive muscular atrophy (best prognosis)
- Primary lateral sclerosis
MND
What is progressive bulbar palsy?
What does it affect?
What does it need to be differentiated from?
- Only affects CN 9–12 (brainstem motor nuclei) so LMN of them
- Primarily affects muscles of talking, chewing, tongue palsy + swallowing
- Progressive pseudobulbar palsy = destruction of UMN so same as bulbar but small spastic tongue with no fasciculations
MND
What is…
i) progressive muscular atrophy?
ii) primary lateral sclerosis?
i) Anterior horn cells affected so LMN signs only, distal > proximal
ii) Loss of cells in motor cortex so UMN signs only
MND
What is the general clinical presentation of MND?
- Insidious + progressive muscle weakness affecting limbs, trunk, face + speech
- Often first noticed in upper limbs, may be fatigue when exercising
- May have stumbling spastic gait, weak grip + clumsiness
- Dysarthria, dysphagia, emotional lability in pseudobulbar palsy
- NO SENSORY SYMPTOMS
MND
What are UMN signs?
Hypertonia or spasticity,
brisk reflexes
upgoing plantars,
muscle wasting
MND
What are some important differentials of MND and how can they be differentiated?
- Cervical spine lesion as may present with UMN signs
- Myasthenia gravis but MND NEVER affects eye movements
- Multiple sclerosis but MND NEVER affects sphincters or sensation
MND
What are some investigations for MND?
Head/spine MRI
Blood tests = muscle enzymes, autoantibodies
Nerve conduction studies
EMG
Lumbar Puncture
MND
What medication may be given in MND?
- RILUZOLE – Na+ blocker inhibits glutamate release
- Drooling - ORAL PROPANTHELINE or ORAL AMITRIPTYLINE
- Dysphagia: NG tube
- Spasms: ORAL BACLOFEN
- Non-invasive ventilation
- Analgesia e.g. NSAIDs - DICLOFENAC
MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS
What are some classic sites for MS?
- Periventricular white matter lesions
- Predilection for distinct sites – optic nerves, corpus callosum, brainstem + cerebellar peduncles
MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS
What is the diagnostic criteria for MS?
McDonald criteria –
- Multiple CNS lesions (≥2)
- Sx that last >24h
- Disseminated in space (Clinically or on MRI) and time (>1m apart)
MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS
What are the symptoms of MS?
DEMYELINATION –
- Diplopia (CN VI)
- Eye movement pain (optic neuritis, v common)
- Motor weakness
- nYstagmus
- Elevated temp worsens
- Lhermitte’s sign
- Intention tremor
- Neuropathic pain
- Ataxia
- Talking slurred (dysarthria)
- Impotence
- Overactive bladder
- Numbness
MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS
In terms of the symptoms of MS, what is the pattern of motor weakness?
i) Pyramidal pattern so extensors weaker than flexors in upper limb, flexors weaker than extensors in lower
MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS
What are some signs of MS?
- UMN = spastic paraparesis, brisk reflexes, hypertonia
- Sensory = loss of sensation, cerebellar signs
- Relative afferent pupillary defect
- Internuclear ophthalmoplegia
- Optic atrophy (pale optic disc) in chronic MS
MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS
What is relative afferent pupillary defect?
- Seen on swinging light test (retina or optic nerve lesion –afferent issue)
- The affected and normal eye appears to dilate when light is shone on the affected eye
MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS
What is internuclear ophthalmoplegia?
- CN VI/medial longitudinal fasciculus lesion
- Disorder of conjugate lateral gaze with;
– Decreased adduction of ipsilateral eye
– Nystagmus on abduction of contralateral eye
MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS
What is the management of MS remissions?
- First line = beta-interferons (1b) to decrease # relapses + lesions on MRI but SEs = depression, flu Sx + miscarriage
- 2nd line = DMARDs (monoclonal antibody) - natalizumab, dimethyl fumarate
MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS
What is the general symptomatic management for MS?
Spasticity
- BACLOFEN (GABA analogue, reduces Ca2+ influx)
- TIZANIDINE (alpha-2 agonist)
- BOTOX INJECTION (reduces ACh in neuromuscular junction)
urinary incontinence = catheterisation
incontinence
- DOXAZOSIN (anti-cholinergic alpha blocker drugs
MENINGITIS
What are the bacterial causes of meningitis?
N. meningitidis
S. pneumoniae
H. influenzae
MENINGITIS
What are the viral causes of meningitis?
Enterovirus (most common viral)
HSV
CMV
Varicella zoster virus
MENINGITIS
What is the management of bacterial meningitis
- IV cefotaxime
- amoxicillin to cover listeria (potential contraction in birth) in <3m
- Dexamethasone to reduce frequency + severity of neurological sequelae
- Adjust treatment according to sensitivities
ENCEPHALITIS
What investigations would you do for encephalitis?
- Blood culture + CSF serology for viral PCR
MRI - shows areas of inflammation, may be midline shifting
EEG - periodic sharp and slow wave complexes
lumbar puncture
BRAIN ABSCESS
What are the most common causative organisms?
- Staph. aureus + strep. pnuemoniae
BRAIN ABSCESS
What is the management of brain abscess?
- CT guided aspiration via burr hole or craniotomy + abscess cavity debridement
- Craniotomy usually if no response to aspiration or if reoccurs
- Abx with IV ceftriaxone + metronidazole, ICP Mx with dexamethasone
BRAIN DEATH + COMA
What are lateralising signs?
Give an example of one
- Signs that occur from one hemisphere of the brain but not the other, helps to localise pathology
- Fixed dilated pupil (CN3 palsy)
BRAIN DEATH + COMA
What is the main differential of a third nerve palsy?
How can they be differentiated?
- Blind eye
- Blind eye will not give contralateral responsiveness but other causes will + if you shine light in good eye then dilated pupil will restrict
BRAIN DEATH + COMA
What are the components of ‘eyes’ in GCS?
E4 = opens spontaneously
E3 = opens to verbal command
E2 = opens to pain
E1 = no response
BRAIN DEATH + COMA
What are the components of ‘verbal’ in GCS?
V5 = orientated in TPP, answers appropriately
V4 = confused conversation, odd answers
V3 = inappropriate words (random, abusive)
V2 = incomprehensible sounds (groans)
V1 = no response
BRAIN DEATH + COMA
What are the components of ‘motor’ in GCS?
M6 = obeys commands
M5 = localises pain
M4 = withdraws away from painful stimulus
M3 = flexion to pain
M2 = extension to pain
M1 = no response
MYASTHENIA GRAVIS
What will patients with myasthenia gravis struggle with?
- Hairs, chairs + stairs (proximal muscle weakness)
- Speech, mastication, face + neck weakness
- Resp muscles (breathing difficulty + dysphagia dangerous features which indicates advancing disease)
MYASTHENIA GRAVIS
What are the signs of myasthenia gravis?
- Ptosis, diplopia (extra-ocular muscle weakness)
MYASTHENIA GRAVIS
What are some clinical signs of myasthenia gravis?
- Repeated blinking = ptosis
- Repeated abduction of one arm 20x + compare to other side
MYASTHENIA GRAVIS
What investigations would you do for myasthenia gravis?
mostly clinical examination
positive tensilon test
anti-AChR antibodies
TFTs
EMG
CT of thymus
crushed ice test - ice is applies to ptosis for 3 mins, if it improves it is likely to be myasthenia gravis
MYASTHENIA GRAVIS
What is the management of myasthenia gravis?
- Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors like pyridostigmine or rivastigmine
- Immunosuppression with prednisolone (acute) or azathioprine to suppress antibody production
- Thymectomy if thymoma or anti-AChR +ve disease
- Plasmapheresis for severe relapsing cases
GUILLAIN-BARRE
What is the pathophysiology of GBS?
- B cells produce antibodies against the antigens on the pathogen causing the preceding infection and these antibodies also match proteins on the nerve cells leading to demyelination and potentially axonal degeneration
GUILLAIN-BARRE
What are the causes of GBS?
- Often triggered by preceding illness 4w before symptoms
Bacteria
- Camplylobacter jejuni
- Mycoplasma pneumoniae
Viruses
- CMV
- EBV
- HIV
- Herpes zoster
GUILLAIN-BARRE
What are the investigations for GBS?
Nerve Conduction Studies (NCS) = diagnostic -> shows slowing of conduction
Lumbar Puncture at L4 = raised protein and normal WCC (cyto-protein dissociation)
bloods - FBC, U&E, LFT, TFT
Spirometry = respiratory involvement
ECG
GUILLAIN-BARRE
What is the main treatment for GBS?
- IVIg reduces duration + severity of paralysis but C/I if IgA deficiency as would cause anaphylaxis
- Plasma exchange
- Intubation, ventilation + ICU admission in severe cases in resp failure
BRAIN TUMOURS
What investigations would you perform for brain tumours?
- CT/MRI head (MRI gold standard)
- LP C/I if Sx of raised ICP until after imaging
- Audiogram + gadolinium enhanced MRI head for acoustic neuroma
- MR angiography may be useful to define site or blood supply of mass
NEUROPATHY
What is the pathophysiology of mononeuritis multiplex?
- Inflammation of vasa nervorum can block off blood supply to nerve causing sudden deficit
NEUROPATHY
What are the causes of peripheral neuropathy?
ABCDE –
- Alcohol
- B12 deficiency
- Cancer + CKD
- Diabetes + drugs (isoniazid, amiodarone)
- Every vasculitis
NEUROPATHY
In terms of peripheral neuropathy, what conditions show a…
i) mostly motor loss?
ii) mostly sensory loss?
i) GBS, chronic inflammatory demyelination polyneuropathy (chronic GBS), Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease
ii) DM, CKD, deficiencies
NEUROPATHY
What is Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease?
- Autosomal dominant condition.
- Characterised by high-arched feet, distal muscle weakness + atrophy (inverted champagne bottle legs), hyporeflexia, foot drop + hammer toes
NEUROPATHY
What muscles does the median nerve innervate?
LLOAF –
- Lateral lumbricals x2
- Opponens pollicis
- Abductor pollicis brevis
- Flexor pollicis brevis
NEUROPATHY
What is the clinical presentation of carpal tunnel syndrome?
- Aching pain in hand + arm (especially at night)
- Paraesthesia in radial 3.5 digits relieved by dangling hand over edge of bed + shaking (wake + shake)
- Difficulty with precision grip
- Sensory loss (radial 3.5 digits palmar + fingertips dorsally)
- Wasting of thenar eminence (APB, FPB + OP)
NEUROPATHY
In terms of the optic nerve, what does a…
i) L optic nerve lesion
ii) Optic chiasma lesion
iii) L optic tract lesion
iv) L Baum’s loop lesion
v) L Meyer’s loop lesion
cause?
i) No vision through L eye
ii) Bitemporal hemianopia
iii) Contralateral (R) homonymous hemianopia
iv) Inferior R homonymous quadrantanopia
v) Superior R homonymous quadrantanopia
NEUROPATHY
Where is Baum’s loop located?
Where is Meyer’s loop located?
How can you remember which is superior/inferior?
- Parietal lobe
- Temporal lobe
- PITS – Parietal Inferior Temporal Superior