Neuro Flashcards
RF stroke
HTN
DM
Hyperlipidemia
Smoking
Causes of stroke
Ischemic - 85%
Hemorrhagic - 15%
Embolic origins of stroke
#1 Heart - AF (MC), valvular disease, paradoxical DVT #2 Carotid stenosis
MC artery occluded in stroke
Middle cerebral
Sx in MCA stroke
Weakness and sensory loss on opposite side
Homonymous hemianopsia (eyes look at lesion)
Aphasia
Sx in ACA stroke
Personality/cognitive defects (confusion)
Urinary incontinence
Leg more than arm weakness
Sx PCA stroke
LOC
Ipsilateral sensory loss in face and CN IX, X
Contralateral sensory loss of limbs
Limb ataxia
Best initial test for any stroke
CT head w/o contrast
Most accurate test for stroke
MRI
Why is CT done before MRI in stroke
R/O bleeding
Best initial therapy for stroke
3hrs - Aspirin
Hemorrhagic - Nothing
Patient on aspirin has stroke
Add dipyridamole
OR
Switch to clopidogrel
When is a Penumbra catheter indicated (clot retrieval)
Within 90min then thrombolytics if unsuccessful
Rx if damage valves caused stroke
Surgery
Rx if thrombi caused stroke
Heparin then warfarin to INR 2-3
How to determine heart source of stroke
Echo
Rx for AF on EKG which caused stroke
Warfarin to INR 2-3
EKG normal but suspected heart etiology of stroke
24-48hr Holter monitoring
Sx cerebrovascular disease w/ >70% stenosis
Surgical correction
No CEA
100% carotid stenosis
No CEA (that side is “protected”)
Control DM to prevent stroke
HbA1c
Control HTN to prevent stroke
140-160
Control LDL to prevent stroke
Control BP in Hemorrhagic stroke
Target - 140-160
>170 give Nicardipine, Enalaprat, Labetalol
MC headache
Tension
Light causing photophobia
Bright
Natural
Inducing factors in Migraines
Visual disturbance Photophobia Aura Menses Food (men) Emotions (women)
Features of Cluster headaches
Frequent
Short duration
High intensity
M 10x > W
Features giant cell arteritis
Visual disturbance
Systemic sx
Jaw claudication
Association with pseudotumor cerebri
Obesity
Venous sinus thrombosis
OCPs (taken off market)
Vit A tox
Physical findings in migraines
Rarely aphasia/numbness/dysarthria/weakness
- Looks like stroke
PE results on cluster HA
Red tearing eye with rhinorrhea (ipsi)
Occasional Horner’s
What must be evaulated for HA w/ red eye
Glaucoma
PE results for giant cell arteritis
Visual loss
Tenderness in temporal region (ipsi)
PE results for pseudotumor cerebri
Papilledema with diplopia from CN VI palsy
Dx test in 1st time migrain/cluster/pseudotumor cerebri presentation
Head CT to exclude masses
Features of tension HA
B/L
Lasts 4-6hrs
Temple/occipital pressure relieves
Dx sequence for pseudotumor cerebri
Head CT
LP for increased pressure
First step in management of giant cell arteritis
Steroids before Bx
Bx is most accurate test
NSAIDS AE
Aseptic meningitis ↑LTs → Bronchoconstriction and ↑Mucous Gastric ulcers Interstitial nephritis Papillary necrosis
Rx tension HA
NSAIDs and other analgesics
Rx Migraine
Triptans or ergotamine as abortive therapy
Proclorperazine for monotherapy w/ vomitting
Rx cluster HA
Triptans or ergotamine first
100% O2
Li
Rx temporal arteritis
Prednisone
Rx Pseudotumor cerebri
Weight loss Acetazolamide Steroids Repeated LP to lower pressure VP shunt Cut into optic nerve
Cluster HA PPx
Verapamil
Li
Prednisone
When to give PPx for migraines
3-14 per month
Best PPx for migraines
Propranolol
Other PPx for migraines
CCBs TCAs (not in elderly) SSRIs (only with concurrent anxiety/depression) Topiramate Botox (good for breakthrough)
What is trigeminal neuralgia
Idiopathic CN V disorder
Overwhelming facial pain
Precipitants of trigeminal neuralgia attacks
Chewing
Touching face
Pronouncing certain words
Dx test in trigeminal neuralgia
None
Best Rx trigeminal neuralgia
Oxcarbazepine
Carbemazepine
Other Rx trigeminal neuralgia
Baclofen
Lamotrigine
Rx trigeminal neuralgia if meds fail
Gamma knife surgery
What is postherpetic neuralgia
Zoster reactivation along CN V
Is their pain with resolution of zoster vesicles in postherpetic neuralgia
15%
Rx postherpetic neuralgia
Antiherpes meds
- Acyclovir
Pain reduction in postherpetic neuralgia
TCAs Gabapentin Pregablin Carbamazepine Phenytoin Topical capsaicin
Prevention of zoster
Zoster vaccine
Types of seizures
Partial → focal
Absence
Generalized
Status epilepticus
Causes of generalized tonic/clonic seizures
↓/↑ Na ↓ Glucose ↓ Ca ↓ Mg Hypoxia CNS infection/anatomic abnormality Uremia Hepatic failure EtOH/barb/benzo withdrawal Cocaine tox
When to do EEG for seizures
NL CT/MRI/metabolic panel
Confusion is to coma ans seizure as
Angina is to MI
What is epilepsy
Seizures of unclear origin
Best initial therapy for status epilepticus
Benzos
Subsequent status epilepticus meds if condition persists
Phenytoin Barbs NM blockage Generalized anaesthesia Intubate
AE IV Phenytoin
Hypotension
AV block
When to start Rx for 1st time seizure
Status epilepticus
Abnormal EEG
FHx seizures
Rx absence seizures
Ethosuximide
Alternative seizure meds
Gabapentin Topiramate Lamotrigine Oxcarbazepine Levetiracetam
When to discontinue seizure meds
Seizure-free for 2yrs
Best way to tell if there is possibility of seizure recurrence
Sleep deprivation EEG
Where are most aneurysms causing SAH
ACA in circle of willis
Most frequent conditions with brain aneurysms
PCKD Tobacco smoking HTN Hyperlipidemia Alcoholics
MC presentation of SAH
Severe HA with meningeal irritation
- Stiff neck, photophobia, fever
LOC in 50%
Focal complications in 30%
Differences in SAH from meningitis
Very sudden
LOC
Best initial test for SAH
Head CT w/o contrast
Most accurate test for SAH
LP with blood
What is Xanthochromia
Yellowish discoloration of CSF 2/2 RBC breakdown
Normal WBC:RBC in CSF
1:500-1000
What does an elevated WBC:RBC in CSF indicate
Meningitis
How to locate aneurysm site
CT angiography