Neuro Flashcards
Describe hallmarks of Horners syndrome and causative pathologies
Ptosis (drooping eyelid), miosis (constriction pupil) and anhidrosis (decreased sweating on affected side)
May result from carotid artery dissection, tumour in neck, pancoast tumour, brain lesion, trauma.
Symptoms associated with central cord syndrome and cause
When at cervical region, Cape like distribution of pain and temp loss, weakness in upper limbs and hand wasting. Decussating fibres at that level are effected, so ventral corticospinal and spinothalamic tracts.
Symptoms of anterior cord syndrome
Spinothalamic and corticospinal tracts are affected, and dorsal column is spared. This causes variable sensory and motor presentations including loss of pain, temperature and autonomic function below level of lesion.
SPARING of vibration, proprioception and coarse touch.
Symptoms of posterior cord syndrome
Posterior column is affect (only decussate in medulla) so ipsilateral loss of fine touch, vibration, and proprioception.
Symptoms of Brown squared syndrome and what it is
Half of the spinal cord is damaged (sagitally), leading to ipsilateral loss of fine touch, vibration and proprioception, and contralateral loss of pain and temp and coarse touch.
Saddle, anaesthesia, fecal and urinary incontinence and neurogenic bladder are symptoms of… (spinal level too pls)
Cauda equina syndrome (often L4/5 or L5/S1)
spinothalamic tracts function, location on cord, where decussation of fibres occurs
Lateral: pain and temperature
Ventral: coarse touch and pressure
They cross at the level of the cord
Dorsal column location, function and decussation location
Fine touch, proprioception, vibration
Posterior location
Cross at the craniocervical junction
Lateral and ventral corticospinal tract location, function, decussation
Lateral: motor function located laterally at cord and decussates in brain
Ventral: motor function located anteriorly and decussates at the level of the spinal cord
General pattern of decussation in the spinal cord
Anterior tracts; decussate at the level of the cord
Posterior + lateral corticospinal; decussate higher up
Myeloradiculopathy what it is and causes
A compression causing damage of spinal nerve roots and spinal cord in the cervical vertebrae. It is often caused by facet osteophytes, disc herniation, ossification if ligaments etc…
Periodic rhythmic ocular oscillation is called
Nystagmus
Key features of vestibular nystagmus
Horizontal, maximal in direction of gaze, suppresses with fixation
Patient presents with dizziness and vertigo. They have no associated hearing loss, but have been vomiting and are unable to get out of bed. Had a sore throat few days ago. Diagnosis and management?
Labyrinthitis. Anti-emetics, vestibular suppressants (for short time) and wait it out.
Patient presents with diziness and vertigo. Episodes last about 1 min, especially when getting out of bed in the morning. They have no other significant history. Investigation and management?
Dix-hall pike manoeuvre to investigate. If positive, treat for BPPV by epley manoeuvre
Patient with diziness and vertigo. They have been getting frequent episodes lasting 30min-1h. they know it will come on because feel pressure in side the ear, and feel exhausted afterwards. Also have been suffering from gradual hearing loss, especially low frequencies. Diagnosis and management.
Ménière’s disease. To prevent attacks, low salt diet and diuretics. To stop attacks, vestibular suppressant.
Patient presents with dizziness and vertigo. These episodes are associated with certain trigger. she had a hex of migraine but her headaches are not related to episodes of dizziness
Vestibular migraine
Sodium valproate use and main side effects
First line for generalised seizures. P450 enzyme inducer so beware of interactions, very teratogenic, increased appetite and weight gain.
Carbamazepine use and main side effects
first line for focal seizures. P450 inducer, visual disturbance SIADH.
Lamotrigine use
Second line for variety of generalised and partial seizures. Can cause stevens Johnson syndrome
Management of status epilepticus
IV lorazepam 4mg repeated after 10 min if needed. then phenobarbital or phenytoin. IN community, buccal midazolam/ rectal diazepam
First line investigation in a TIA
Carotid Doppler US - required. MRI and CT up to specialist opinion
What to do if suspected TIA
Urgent (24h) referral to specialist Center
Post stroke medical management
Aspirin 75mg 2 weeks, followed by clopidogrel 75mg and Astor a statin 80mg pn.
Acute stroke management
If within 4.5h since onset, give altepase (unless INR>1.7, unknown onset of symptoms, haemorrhagic stroke). And consider mechanical thrombectomy
If altepase contraindicated or >4.5h, give aspirin 300mg and consider mechanical thrombectomy
Contralateral hemiparesis, sensory loss of lower > upper extremities is a stroke involving…
The anterior cerebral artery
Contralateral hemiparesis, sensory loss, upper > lower limb involvement, aphasia, contralateral homonymous hemianopia is a stroke involving the…
Middle cerebral artery
Contralateral homonymous hemianopia with macular sparing and visual agnosia is a stroke involving the…
Posterior cerebral artery
Aphasia due to a lesion of the superior temporal gurus. Fluent speech but sentences make no sense (word substitution and neologisms). Impaired comprehension. What is this and affected artery
Wernicke’s (receptive) aphasia. Supplied by inferior division of the left MCA
Non-fluent, laboured and halting speech, normal comprehension
Broca’s (expressive) aphasia, due to a lesion to the inferior frontal gyrus, supplied by the superior division of the left MCA.
Fluent speech with poor repition, patient aware of the errors they are making. Normal comprehension
Conduction aphasia - classically due to a stroke affecting the connection between wernickes and broca (accurate fascicles).
Severe expressive and receptive aphasia
Global aphasia caused by a large lesion affecting broca’s, wernicke’s and arcuate fasciculus.
Difference in CT scans between subdural and extraldural haemorrhage
Subdural: banana shaped hyper dense extra axial collection
Extradural: bi-convex shape lemon limited by cranial sutures,
Typical duration of a migraine headache
4-72h
First line management of moderate and severe migraine. And what to do if pregnant.
Moderate: NSAID 1st line + metoclopramide (anti-emetic) if needed.
Severe: Triptan + metoclopramide
If pregnant, try to avoid triptan and NSAIS, opt for paracetamol instead. + antiemetic.
Preventive management of migraines
Topiramate (anti-epileptic, teratogenic), reducing triggers, triptans, propranolol
Tension headache symptoms and cause
Ache in the forehead in a band-like patter to back of head. Can be due to facial or skull muscle tension.
45 y old make smoker presents with unbearable unilateral headache 10/10. Focalised around eye. He has eye tearing and nasal congestion. It comes in waves between headache-free periods. Diagnosis and management
Cluster headache - high flow 100% O2 for 15-20 min. Consider triptan injection subcutaneous.
Low frequency, rest tremor, unilateral
Parkinson’s tremor
Bilateral action tremor, worst with outstretched arms and may get better with alcohol.
Essential tremor