neuro 20 Flashcards
geographically, MS is most common in which latitudes?
northern
common initial presenting symptom of MS
optic neuritis (mildly painful loss of visual acuity in one eye)
transverse myelitis
describes area of inflamatory demyelination in the SC
internuclear ophthalmoplegia
characteristic finding in MS; results from dysfunction in MLF and leads to inability to adduct one eye when looking oward the opposite side, with nystagmus of the abducting eye
INO in a young person
think MS
Lhermitte’s sign
characteristic of MS; tingling sensation down the spine when the patient flexes the neck
Unthoff’s phenomenon
worsening of symptoms in the heat
most MS patients begin with what type of MS course?
relapsing-remitting that evolves into secondary progressive
benign MS
few attacks, with return to normal between attacks
relapsing-remitting MS
no new disability between attacks; but overall the disease keeps getting worse
secondary progressive MS
evolving from relasing-remitting, there is a progressive disability with or without attacks
primary progressive MS
steady increase in disability without attacks
features predicting a good prognosis with MS
young age at onset, female, rapid remission of initial sx, mild relapses that leave little or no residual defecits, and presentation w sensory as opposed to motor deficit
MRI new and old MS lesions
new is discrete T2-hyperintense areas in the white matter of the brain or SC; old lesions may be T1-hypointense with black hole appearance
MS lesions have a predilection for what areas of the brain
periventricular white matter, juxtacortical regions, corpus callosum, and cerebellar peduncles
Dawson’s fingers
seen on sagittal MRI image; foci of demyelination spreading perpendicularly from the corpus callosum
characteristic CSF finding in MS
oligoclonal bands, found in more than 90% of MS patients at some point during the illness
what are the oligoclonal bands found in MS patient CSF
intrathecal (into the subarachenoid space with the CSF) production of IgG
visual evoked potentials
can be used in suspected MS to document evidence of old optic neuritis; increased latency of the P100 wave on the affected side