Neuro Flashcards
What is status epilepticus?
When seizures last > 5 mins without stopping in between
MEDICAL EMERGENCY
Tx Status Epilepticus
IV Lorazepam
What is a Transient Ischaemic Attack (TIA)?
Acute loss of cerebral/ocular function
Lasting < 24 hours
COMPLETE CLINICAL RECOVERY
Ischaemia without infarction
RF TIA
Other than atherosclerotic RFs
Male
AF
VSD
COCP
How many of 1st strokes are preceded by TIA?
15%
Causes TIA
Atherothromboembolism! from Carotid artery - MC!!
Small vessel occlusion
Cardioembolism - emboli from MI, AF etc or valve disease or prosthetic valve
Hyperviscosity - polycythaemia, sickle cell anaemia
Hypoperfusion (important to look at in younger people) - cardiac dysrhythmia, postural hypotension
Where do the majority of TIAs affect?
How do these type of TIAs present?
90% affect CAROTID ARTERY
Weak, numb contralateral leg (+/- similar but less intense in arm)
Hemiparesis
Dysphasia
Hemi-sensory disturbances
AMOUROSIS FUGAX
What is amourosis fugax?
Sudden painless transient loss of vision in one eye
Described as “curtain descending over field of vision”
Pathophysiology Amourosis Fugax
Emboli passes into retinal, opthalmic or ciliary artery
Ix TIA
Until recovery, NO WAY TO DIFFERENTIATE FROM A STROKE
So i assume urgent CT? because you would act like it’s a stroke
But i guess once recovered,
GS = Diffusion weighted MRI
Carotid dopple
CT angiography
ECG - AF
Also, ABCD^2 score but NICE don’t recommend this anymore
Where do the lesser proportion of TIAs affect?
How do they present?
Posterior circulation (Vertebrobasilar artery)
Diplopia
Vertigo
Vomiting
Ataxia
Choking
Dysarthria
Hemisensory loss
Transient global amnesia
Tetraparesis
Tx TIA
Urgent 300mg aspirin
Refer to specialist within 7 days
Then will be put on statin or clopidogrel
What are the different classes in the Bamford Stroke Classification?
TACI - total anterior circulation infarct
PACI - partial anterior circulation infarct
LACI - lacunar infart
POCI - posterior circular infarct
How does a TACI present?
MUST have all 3 of the following :
- Unilateral weakness +/- sensory deficit of face, arms and legs
- Homonymous hemianopia
- Higher cerebral dysfunction (dysphasia, visuospatial disorder)
How does a PACI present?
MUST have 2 of the following :
- Unilateral weakness +/- sensory deficit of face, arms and legs
- Homonymous hemianopia
- Higher cerebral dysfunction (dysphasia, visuospatial disorder)
How does a LACI present?
MUST have 1 of the following :
Pure sensory stroke
Pure motor stroke
Sensori-motor stroke
Ataxic hemiparesis
What is Charcot’s neurological triad?
- Dysarthria
- Nystagmus
- Intention tremor
What is Uhthoff’s phenomenon?
Sx exacerbated by heat
What type of HS R is MS?
Type 4
Define MS
Chronic, autoimmune T-cell mediated inflammation disorder of CNS
Multiple plaques of demyelination
RF MS
More common the further from equator (link to Vit D?)
FHx
Exposure to EBV in childhood
Female!
Some genetic link (HLA-DR2) but def environment affects
Typical MS Patient
F 20-40yrs
Types of MS Progression
Relapsing/Remitting MC!!
Clear relapses w partial/full recovery, no progression in between
1º Progressive
Linear progression, no relapse
2º Progressive
Starts at RR then 1º
Progressive/Relapsing
Same as RR but progression in between relapses
Signs / Symptoms MS
LOSS NB
Lhermitte’s sign - tingling when neck flexion
Optic neuritis - also struggle to see red
Sensory Sx + Sx
Spasticity
Nystagmus
Bladder/sexual dysfunction
–
UHTHOFF’S PHENOMENON!!!
–
Charcot’s neuro triad
UMN signs (not LMN)
Paraesthesia
Ix MS
MACDONALD’S CRITERIA!!
At least 2 events disseminated by time and space
–
GS!! (w above) - MRI W CONTRAST
Lesions appear white
Lumbar puncture w CSF electrophoresis
(inflam proteins only in CSF bc nervous system disease)
Evoked potentials - how long impulses travel
the more demyelination, the slower the conduction
Tx MS
Acute
Acute attacks = IV methylprednisolone
Tx MS
CHRONIC
NO CURE!
1st Line - beta interferon and glatiramer acetate
Sx Tx :
Tremor - BB
Muscle spasticity -
Mild-Mod : Oral diazeam, baclofen
Focal disabling : periph nerve blocks e.g. botulinum, alcohol, phenol
SEVERE :
Reversible invasive procedures e.g. intrathecal baclofen
Irreversible e.g. functional neurosurgery
S/E beta interferon
Injection site reactions
Flu Sx (will decrease after first few months)
Mild lymphopenia
Mild-mod rise in liver enzymes
Mechanism Alemtuzumab
CD52 monoclonal antibody that targets T cells
Mechanism Natalizumab
acts against VLA-4 receptors that allow immune cells
to cross the BBB and therefore reduces number of immune cells that
can enter the CNS and cause damage
What is Myasthenia Gravis?
Autoimmune disease against nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the neuromuscular junction
Patho MS
What is Guillain-Barre Syndrome?
Acute, inflamm demyelination polyneuropathy
Affects PNS - Schwann cells
Following URTI or GI tract infection
Signs / Symptoms GB syndrome
Within 4 weeks of URTI or GI tract infection
Symmetrical, ascending muscle weakness
Proximal muscles more commonly affects - trunk, resp and Cranial nerve esp CN7
REFLEXES LOST (deep tendon refleces)
RESP INVOLVEMENT - affects diaphragm = death!!
Paraesthesia, numbness
Back/limb pain
Cranial nerve involvement - Diplopia, dysarthria
Autonomic fts - Sweating, ↑Pulse, postural hypotension, arrhythmias
Comp GB syndrome
Clots - PE!!
Resp system - if affects diaphragm = death
Causes GB syndrome
Triggered by infection! - usually GI tract or Upper resp tract
Campylobacter jejuni MC
Cytomegalovirus
EBV
Pathophysiology GB
MOLECULAR MIMICRY
Infection occurs
∴ immune response
Body produces antibodies against antigens
But these antigens similar to those on Schwann cells
∴ attacks Schwann cell
∴ Demyelination + Acute polyneuropathy
Monitoring GB
MONITOR BREATHING BC RESP INVOLVEMENT!!
Ix GB syndrome
Clinical diagnosis, no GS
Nerve conduction studies
Lumbar puncture (L3/4) to test CSF - ↑protein, normal WCC, normal glucose
Tx GB
IV Ig for 5 days
Plasma exchange - remove Abs
(CI in IgA def patients!! will cause allergic reaction)
Supportive care
VTW prophylaxis (LMWH) e.g. SC enoxaparin and compression stockings - bc clots are common
Spirometry!
If FVC < 0.8, consider intubation and ITU
Prognosis GB
80% recover completely - bc myelin sheath recovers
15% lasting weakness
5% die
Quick!
Symmetrical limb weakness, Absent tendon reflexes and ↓ Sensation
What is it?
GB syndrome
In whom does Myasthenia Gravis usually present in?
Female < 40
Males > 60
How can you distinguish from Motor Neurone disease and Myasthenia Gravis?
MND never affects eye movements!
What type of HS reaction is Myasthenia Gravis?
Type 2
Signs / Symptoms Myasthenia Gravis
MUSCLE WEAKNESS
Worse at end of day/with exertion
Better with rest
Starts w/ head and neck! then progresses to lower body
Eye muscle weakness - diplopia
Ptosis
Myasthenic snarl - hard to smile, looks weird
Jaw fatigue
Dysphagia - bulbar weakness
Dysphasia
Pathophysiology Myasthenia Gravis
Normally, acetylcholine crosses synaptic gap and attaches to receptors
MC!! - Immune system produces Nicotinic Ach-R antibodies, bind to receptors and blocks!
∴ ↓ muscle contraction
As muscles are used, more receptors are blocked!
∴ ↑ ACTIVITY = ↑ WEAKNESS
ALSO : Muscle Specific Kinase (MuSK) and low-density lipoprotein receptor related protein 4 (LRP4)
Ix Myasthenia Gravis
Serology - Anti-AchR and Anti-MuSK
Tensilon/Edrophonium test!
Administer Edrophonium, POS test = ↑↑muscle power for a few seconds
Also, repeatedly blink causes ptosis
Look up for a while causes diplopia
Repeatedly abduct arm causes unilateral muscle weakness when compare arms
Count to 50 - as higher numbers, voice get less audible
ALSO : FVC! to test resp muscles
Tx Myasthenia Gravis
1st Line = ACh inhibitors!
NEOSTIGMINE, PYRIDOSTIGMINE
2nd Line = Immunosuppression - steroids (prednisolone/azathioprine)
Monoclonal Abs - Rituximab, eculizumab
Thymectomy
Myasthenia Gravis assoc disease
Lambert-Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome!
Paraneoplastic condition, SCLC
Weakness will improve AFTER exercise
RF Myasthenia Gravis
Other than F 20-40
Thymoma! / Thymic hyperplasia
Autoimmune disease - RA, SLE, pernicious anaemia
Tx Myasthenia Crisis
IV Ig
Plasmapheresis
Pathophysiology Lambert-Eaton Syndrome
Autoantibodies against calcium channels in SCLC cells
Also target calcium channels in presynaptic terminals
∴ ↓ ACh released
Signs / Symptoms Lambert-Eaton Syndrome
Same as Myasthenia Gravis
But start w extremities rather than head and neck
Ix Lambert-Eaton Syndrome
Rule Myasthenia Gravis out !! (aka if ACh-R antibodies = Myasthenia Gravis)
MRI - SCLC
Tx Lambert-Eaton Syndrome
Treat any malignancy
ACh inhibitors - pyridostigmine, neostigmine
Amifampridine - improves muscle strength
If v severe - immunosuppression/IV Ig/Plasmapheresis
Pathophysiology Parkinson’s disease
SIMPLE
Progressive reduction of dopamine in the basal ganglia
Pathophysiology Parkinson’s disease
MORE DETAIL
Neurodegen loss of substantia nigra in pars compacta
∴ ↓ Dopamine levels
∴ Thalamus is inhibited
∴ ↓ Movement
∴ Symptoms of Parkinson’s
Triad of Parkinson’s
- Resting tremor
- Bradykinesia
- Rigidity
Parkinson’s : TRAP
Tremor - pin-rolling
Rigidity - cogwheel
Akinesia
Postural instability
Causes ParkinsonISM
Parkinson’s disease
Vascular parkinsonism
Infections - encephalitis, creutxfeldt-Jakob disease
Toxin induced - carbon monoxide, drugs
Why is Parkinson’s thought to double in the next gen?
People are getting older
Population is increasing
Parts of basal ganglia
Striatum - putamen and caudate nucleus
Globus pallidus - external and internal
Substantia nigra - produces dopamine
Subthalamic nucleus
Signs / Symptoms Parkinson’s disease
TRAP - ASYMM tremor, rigidity, akinesia, postural instability
Small shuffling steps
Reduced arm swing
Difficulty initiating movement - struggle to start walking
Hypomimia - ↓ facial expressions, mask-like face
Depression
Memory problems
Anosmia
Constipation
↑ Urinary freq, NOT incontinence
What should NOT be present at the beginning of Parkinson’s disease?
If these symptoms ARE present, what are you thinking of instead?
TIDES
Tremor in action
Incontinence
Dementia
Early falls
Symmetry
–
Normal pressure hydrocephalus
Essential tremor
Signs / Symptoms Essential tremor
Better with alcohol
Action tremor
Tx Essential tremor
Deep brain stimulation
BB
Primidone
Tx Normal Pressure hydrocephalus
Surgery
Ix Parkinson’s disease
Usually from history and exams
DaTSCAN
Head CT/MRI
Microscopy - Lewy bodies
RF Parkinson’s disease
FHx
Male
↑ Age
Smoking seems to be protective!
Parkinsonism Cardinal signs
Resting tremor
Bradykinesia
Rigidity
Postural instability
Tx Parkinson’s disease
LEVODOPA + Carbidopa
Can cross BBB, dopamine can’t
NOT GIVEN INITIALLY bc effect will wear off after a while ∴ saved for when symptoms are rlly bad
Has on/off fluctuations!! - Sx can be well controlled, then suddenly not controlled
–
Dopamine agonists - Bromocriptine, Ropinirole
COMT inhibitors - entacapone, rasagiline
MAO-B inhibitors - selegiline
Why can’t you just give dopamine to treat Parkinson’s disease?
silly
you can’t do that bc dopamine can’t cross the BBB
and will cause arrhythmias etc
Why MUST you give Carbidopa with Levodopa when treating Parkinson’s disease?
Carbidopa ensures Levodopa is not metabolised peripherally, otherwise can cause arrhythmias
Parkinson Sx THEN dementia = ?
Parkinson’s dementia
Dementia THEN Parkinson’s Sx = ?
Lewy Body dementia w Parkinsonism
Mechanism of COMT/MAO-B inhibitors
Inhibit the inhibition of dopamine
DDx TIA
Obvs stroke
Hypoglycaemia
Migrainous aura
Mass lesions
Causes Ischaemic Stroke
Atherosclerotic rupture
Thrombus, embolus
Shock
Cardiac emboli - AF, MI, IE (blood stasis)
Atherothromboembolism - from carotid artery
Vasculitis
RF Ischaemic stroke
Atherosclerosis RF
Ethnicity - black or asian
HTN
Smoking
DM
Age
Alcohol
Past TIA
Heart disease
AF
Describe the ABCD^2 score
Age > 60 (1)
BP > 140/90 (1)
Clinical Sx - unilateral weakness (2), slurred speech, no weakness (1)
Duration Sx - 1 hour (2), 1 hour (1)
DMT2 (1)
> 6 REFER TO NEUROLOGY ASAP
Describe Glasgow Come Scale
Signs / Symptoms Ischaemic Stroke
Anterior cerebral artery
D CLIT
Drowsiness
Contralateral leg weakness +/- sensory loss (arms probs not affected too but could happen)
Logical thinking and personality affected
Incontinence
Truncal/Gait ataxia
Signs / Symptoms Ischaemic Stroke
Middle cerebral artery
MOST COMMON PRESENTATION!!
CASH
Contralateral motor weakness/sensory loss - both arms and legs
Aphasia - Wernicke’s or Broca’s
Smile droop (facial droop)
Hemiplagia
Signs / Symptoms Ischaemic Stroke
Posterior cerebral artery - Occipital lobe
VIP
Visual agnosia - can’t interpret visual info
Isolated homonymous hemianopia or cortical blindness
Propagnosia - can’t recog faces
Signs / Symptoms Ischaemic Stroke
Posterior circulation - vertebrobasilar artery
Balance disorder
Coordination disorder
If the posterior circulation (Vertebrobasilar artery) is affected in ischaemic stroke, why is this more concerning?
Larger region supplied by this artery
∴ More catastrophic effects
Signs / Symptoms Lateral Medullary Syndrome
Sudden vomiting
Vertigo
Ipsilateral Horner’s syndrome
Facial numbness
Limb ataxia
Dysphagia
Dysarthria
Tx Ischaemic Stroke
Urgent NCCT!!!!! EXCLUDE HAEMORRHAGE
Immediate 300mg loading dose Aspirin
Then continue this for 2 weeks
Thrombolysis w IV Alteplase - WITHIN 4.5 HOURS OF SX ONSET !!!!
Lifelong Clopidogrel after 2 weeks of aspirin (75mg)
–
Thrombectomy - within 6 hours of symptom onset!!
Only indicated if severe - large artery has been affected
CI Thrombolysis w IV alteplase
History of stroke in DM patients
Severe stroke
Stroke in last 3 months
Active malignancy
A patient on anticoags has a stroke and presents to the hospital. Thoughts?
if Px on anticoags, always suspect to be haemorrhagic stroke until proven otherwise
Causes Haemorrhagic strokes
Anything that increases risk of vessel rupture
HTN
2º to ischaemic stroke! - causes stiff, brittle vessels prone to rupture
Head trauma
AV malformations
Vasculitis
Vascular/Brain tumours
Cerebral amyloid angiopathy
Carotid artery dissection
Presentation of ↑ICP
Virtually indistinguishable from Ischaemic infarct
LoC and headache more likely
Papilloedema
Extradural haemorrhage
Rupture of?
Middle meningeal artery
Subdural haemorrhage
Rupture of?
Bridging cranial veins
Subarachnoid haemorrhage
Rupture of?
Berry aneurysm in circle of Willis
go do haemmorhages from table
Causes Dementia
Alzheimer’s - MC!
Vascular
Lewy-Body
Fronto-Temporal (Pick’s)
QUICK!
Headache, photophobia and neck stiffness
What is it?
MENINGITIS!
What must you make sure you do if a patient has meningitis?
Notify Public Health!!
RF Meningitis
Elderly or very young children
Immunocompromised
Non-vaccinated
Crowded environments
Meningism Triad
- Headaches
- Photophobia
- Neck stiffness
Non-Infective Causes Meningitis
Paraneoplastic
Drug S/E
Autoimmune e.g. RA, SLE
Causes Bacterial Meningitis
Neisseria Meningitis
Strep. Pneumoniae
Listeria spp
Group B strep
Haemophilus influenzae B
E. Coli