Neuro Flashcards
LMN Signs
Wasting
Fasciculation
Hypotonia
Hyporeflexia
UMN Signs
↑tone
Pyramidal distribution of weakness
Leg: extensors stronger than flexors
Arm: flexors stronger than extensors
Hyper-reflexia
Extensor plantars
Causes of bilateral LL: spastic paraparesis
Common MS Cord compression Cord Trauma CP
Other Familial spastic paraparesis Vascular: e.g. aortic dissection → Beck’s syndrome Infection: HTLV-1 Tumour: ependymoma Syringomyelia
Causes of bilateral LL spastic paraparesis with mixed UMN/ LMN signs
MAST
MND
Ataxia, Friedrich’s
SCDC: B12
Taboparesis
Unilateral LL UMN signs
Hemisphere → Spastic Hemiparesis Stroke MS SOL CP
Hemicord → Spastic Hemiparesis or Monoparesis
MS
Cord Compression
Causes of cerebellar syndrome
DAISIES
Demyelination
Alcohol
Infarct: brainstem stroke
SOL: e.g. schwannoma + other CPA tumours
Inherited: Wilson’s, Friedrich’s, Ataxia, Telangiectasia, VHL
Epilepsy medications: phenytoin
System atrophy, multiple
Causes of Parkinsonism
Idiopathic PD
Parkinson Plus Syndromes Progressive supranuclear palsy MSA Lewy Body Dementia Corticobasilar degeneration
Multiple infarcts in the substantia nigra
Wilson’s disease
Drugs: neuroleptics and metoclopramide
Main symptoms of PD
Bradykinesia
Pill rolling tremor
Rigidity
Postural instability
Mx of PD
General
MDT: neurologist, PD nurse, physio, OT, social worker,
GP and carers
Assess disability
e.g. UPDRS: Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale
Physiotherapy: postural exercises
Depression screening
Specific L-DOPA + Carbidopa or benserazide Da agonists: ropinerole, pramipexole Apomorphine: SC rescue drug MOA-B inhibitors: rasagiline COMT inhibitors: tolcapone Amantidine Anti-muscarinics: procyclidine
Adjuncts
Domperidone: nausea
Quetiapine: psychosis
Citalopram: depression
Other
Deep brain stimulation
Basal ganglia disruption
Signs of MSA
Autonomic dysfunction: postural hypotension
Parkinsonism
Cerebellar ataxia
If autonomic features predominate, may be referred to as Shy Drager Syndrome
Features of Progressive supranuclear palsy
Postural instability → falls
Vertical gaze palsy
Pseudobulbar palsy: speech and swallowing problems
Parkinsonism
Signs of cerebellar dysfunction
Dysdiadochokinesia: hands and feet Ataxia Nystagmus + Rapid Saccades Intention tremor and dysmetria Slurred speech Hypotonia
What is lateral medullary syndrome?
Occlusion of vertebral artery or PICA
Ipsilateral: ataxia, nystagmus, dysphagia, facial numbness, cranial nerve palsy e.g. Horner’s
contralateral: limb sensory loss
Features of cord compression
Pain
Local, deep
Radicular
Weakness
LMN @ level
UMN below level
Sensory level
Sphincter disturbance
Signs of a TACS (MCA and ACA territory)
Hemiparesis and/or hemisensory deficit
Homonymous hemianopia
Higher cortical dysfunction (e.g. dominant: aphasia)
Features of a lacunar stroke
Infarct around basal ganglia, internal capsule, thalamus and pons
Pure motor: post. limb of internal capsule
Pure sensory: post. thalamus (VPL)
Mixed sensorimotor: internal capsule
Dysarthria / clumsy hand
Ataxic hemiparesis: ant. limb of internal capsule
Features of Posterior circulation stroke?
Cerebellar syndrome
Brainstem syndrome
Homonymous hemianopia
Classifications of MS
Relapsing-remitting: 80%
Secondary progressive
Primary progressive: 10%
Progressive relapsing