Neuro Flashcards
What is first line treatment for neuropathic pain?
Pregabalin
can also try amitriptyline, duloxetine, gabapentin
What features are characteristic of a seizure in temporal lobe?
- occur with or without impairment of consciousness
- preceeds with an aura
-lip smacking/grabbing/plucking
What features are characteristic of a seizure in frontal lobe?
Head/leg movements
posturing
post-ictal weakness
Jacksonian march
What features are characteristic of a seizure in parietal lobe?
sensory
paresthesia
What is first line treatment for Parkinsons?
Levodopa
Second line for Parkinsons
Add dopamine agonist, MAO-B inhibitor or catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT) inhibitor
How to treat myasthenia gravis crisis?
Immunoglobulins and plasmapheresis
What is myasthenia gravis?
autoimmune condition
antibodies against acetylcholine receptors
What are the investigations for myasthenia gravis?
single fibre electromyography ( highly specific)
CT thorax to exclude thymoma
CK normal
antibody test
What is the management of myasthenia gravis?
1st line - pyridostigmine ( long acting acetylcholinerase inhibitor)
2nd line - add prednisolone
What is first line investigation of a suspected subarachnoid haemorrhage?
CT head without contrast
Features in a headache history that are considered red flags and should do CT Head
- thunderclap
- new neurological deficit
- head trauma
- immunocompromised
- under 20 + history of malignancy
- vomiting with no cause
- headache when coughing, valsalva and sneezing
-impaired level of consciousness
How does extradural haemorrhage appear on CT?
convex ( lemon)
What modality of imaging is used in MS diagnosis?
MRI with contrast
What does Urinary incontinence + gait abnormality + dementia suggest?
normal pressure hydrocepahlus
How do cluster headaches present?
- headaches last 15 mins to 2 hours
- intense sharp stabbing pain around one eye
- lusters last 4-12 weeks
What is used in acute management of cluster headache?
- oxygen
- subcut triptans
What is used in prophylaxis of cluster headaches?
verapamil
What is the drug treatment for tonic clonic seizures?
Males - Sodium valproate
females - lamotrigine or levetiracetam
What is the drug treatment for focal seizures?
Lamotrigine or Levetiracetam
second line: carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine or zonisamide
What is the drug treatment for absence seizures?
Ethosuximide
What is the drug treatment for myoclonic seizures?
males - sodium valproate
females - levetiracetam
What is the drug treatment for tonic seizures?
males: sodium valproate
females: lamotrigine
What are the management pathway Idiopathic intracranial hypertension?
1) weight loss
2) acetazolamide ( carbonic anhydrase inhibitor)
3) topiramate
Where is the lesion located if there is more weakness in the legs than then arms?
anterior cerebral artery
Where is the lesion located if there is more weakness in the arms than then legs?
middle cerebral artery
What also do you get when there is a MCA?
aphasia
sensory loss
contralateral homonymous hemianopia
What is preferred for secondary prevention following a stroke?
clopidogrel
What make up the motor and descending pathways?
pyramidal tracts
extrapyramidal tracts
What make up the pyramidal tracts?
Lateral and Anterior Corticospinal tracts
What make up the sensory and ascending pathways?
dorsal column
spinal cerebral
What is seen in CSF samples of MS patients?
oligoclonal bands
What drug used of Parkinson’s is most associated with disinhibition disorder?
Dopamine agonist
What classification is used for strokes?
Oxford Stroke Classification
What criteria is used for the oxford stroke classification?
1) unilateral hemiparesis and/or hemisensory loss of the face, arm & leg
2) homonymous hemianopia
3) higher cognitive dysfunction
What is involved in a total anterior circulation infarct?
- middle and anterior arteries
- all 3 of Oxford criteria present
What is involved in a partial anterior circulation infarct?
involves smaller arteries of anterior circulation
2 of the criteria present
How does carbamazepine work?
binds to sodium channels increases their refractory period
What are the adverse effects of carbamazepine?
dizziness
ataxia
steven-johnsons
drowsiness
headache
hypoNa
What nerve is 4th nerve palsy affecting?
Trochlear
What does the trochlear nerve do?
supplies superior oblique muscle
rotating the eye downward and outward
What medication is preferred when managing migraines in childbearing women?
propranolol
What is the name of a life threatening condition which can occur in patients who have had an ijury above T6?
Autonomic dysreflexia
What organism is responsible for most encephalitis cases?
HSV-1
What are the investigations and findings for encephalitis?
- Lumbar puncture –> lymphocytosis, elevated proteins and PCR
- MRI –> increased swelling
Management of encephalitis
IV acyclovir as soon as suspected
Pneumonic to remember homonymous quadrantanopia
Parietal
Inferior
Temporal
Superior
What is Wallenbergs syndrome?
occlusion of the posterior inferior cerebellar artery
What are some features of a cerebellar stroke?
ataxia
nystagmus
What nerve is involved in foot drop?
common peroneal nerve
Where does the common peroneal nerve come from?
sciatic nerve branches to common peroneal nerve and tibial
How does foot drop usually occur?
Injury to the neck of femur
What are the symptoms of acoustic neuroma?
- tinitus
- unilateral hearing loss
- absent corneal reflex
- vertigo
What cranial nerve is affected if the symptoms of an acoustic neuroma are tinnitus, vertigo and unilateral hearing loss?
cranial nerve 8
What cranial nerve is affected if there is absent corneal reflex?
cranial nerve 5
What is the first line treatment for ocular myasthenia gravis?
Pyridostigmine
Management of a brain abscess
Surgery
IV 3rd-generation cephalosporin + metronidazole
dexa for swelling
Management of trigeminal neuralgia
Carbamazepine
What nerve is affected with a mid shaft humeral fracture?
Radial nerve
wrist drop
What is given on acute relapse of MS?
IV methylpred
Where are acoustic neuromas located?
Cerebellopontine angle
What are the features of Charcot-Mary-Tooth?
frequently sprained ankle
foot drop
muscle wasting in calves and forearms
hammer toes
hyporeflexia
Painful third nerve palsy
posterior communicating artery aneurysm
What medications should you avoid in parkinsons?
Metoclopramide
Anti-emetics that affect dopamine
haloperidol
Parkinsons disease + postural hypo tension - what other observation do you need to look at to find out the cause?
heart rate
compensatory tachycardia - Levodopa
Non - progression of disease ( autonomic dysfunction)
What are the 4 causes of compensatory tachycardia with postural hypotension?
Deconditioning.
Dysfunctional heart: aortic stenosis.
Dehydration: disease (acute illness, adrenal insufficiency), dialysis, drugs (diuretics, narcotics).
Drugs: anti-anginals, anti-parkinsonian medications (levodopa), antidepressants, antipsychotics, anti-benign prostatic hyperplasia drugs (tamsulosin).
How to help patients with MND with nutrition?
PEG
What parkinsons medication is associated with high chance of inhibition disorder?
dopamine receptor agonists
Management of Stroke
- CT scan to check if there is haemorrhage
<4.5 hours –> alteplase
<6 hours –> alteplase + thrombectomy in Proximal anterior circulation strokes
What are the examination findings for carpal tunnel?
wasting of thenar eminence
weakness of thumb abduction
What are positive Tinel and Phalen’s sign?
tinel’s –> taping causes paresthesia
Phalen’s –> flexion of wrist causes symptoms
What blood tests should be performed to assess for reversible causes of memory loss?
FBCs
LFT
Vit b12
Folate
U&Es
Glucose
ESR
TFTs
What are the nerve routes for these reflexes:
Bicep
Tricep
Knee
Ankle
S1,S2 –> buckle my shoe ( ankle)
L3,L4 –> kick the door ( Knee)
C5,C6–> Pick up sticks ( Biceps)
C7,C8 –> Lay them straight ( tricep)
How does Tuberous Sclerosis present?
- Epilepsy
- skin changes
before the age of 5
What are some signs of autonomic dysfunction?
Dysphagia
Constipation
Orthostatic hypotension
ED
Weight loss
Xs sweating
Xs salivation
What are red flag precipitating factors for a headache?
Preceding head trauma within past 3 years ( could be haematoma)
Headache worse on standing - CSF leak
headache worse on lying down - SOL
Headache triggered by Valsalva
What is a common electrolyte abnormality in carbamazepine use?
HypoNa
Treatment for essential tremour
propranolol
What nerve supplies the Superior Oblique?
CN IV- trochlear
What nerve supplies the lateral rectus?
CN VI- abducens