Neuro combined 1 Flashcards
2 features of essential tremor? 2 conditions to rule out?
Worsens with age Occurs with certain postures Does not occur at rest Rule out hyperthyroidism and Wilson’s disease (ceruloplasmin)
3 Hz spike and wave on EEG?
Childhood absence epilepsy 3-8 years Ethosuzimide or VPA
A baby is born to a mother with myasthenia gravis. She exhibits generalized hypotonia and inability to suck. How do you confirm the diagnosis? What is your management? When can you expect resolution?
Infants born to moms with MG are affected because mom’s auto-antibodies cross the placenta. -Confirmation of diagnosis: administer IM neostigmine and watch for improvement -Treatment: oral pyridostigmine or neostigmine 30 minutes before feeding until resoltuion occurs -Resolution: approximately 3 wks (up to 10 wks)
A baby presents to yuo with a prominent occiput, broad forehead, absent anterior fontanelle and a long and narrow head. Otherwise normal. What is your diagnosis?
Primary craniosynostosis of the sagittal suture leading to scaphocephaly = long and narrow skull = boat shaped head!
A patient presents to the ED with sudden onset of headache with fall to the floor. On exam, he has a left central facial weakness, left hemiparesis with conjugate ocular deviation to the right. What is the diagnosis?
Stroke! Abrupt onset of hemisyndrome with eyes looking AWAY from the paralyzed side indicates acute stroke.
A patient presents with signs of meningitis, pleiocytosis in CSF with high protein and low glucose and a CT scan with contrast enhancement of the basal cisterns. What is your diagnosis?
TB meningitis -Exudate in the basal cisterns is classic -can also see tuberculomas, ringed lucencies, infarction
A teenager presents to you with progressive distal extremity weakness and myotonia (difficulty with muscle relaxation). He is also found to have cardiac arrhythmia, cataracts, male pattern baldness and hollowing of muscles around temples, jaw and neck. His face is expressionless with a tented mouth. What is the diagnosis?
Myotonic dystrophy
An infant presents to you a few weeks after a fall from the changing table with a soft, pulsatile palpable scalp mass. What is your diagnosis?
Leptomeningeal cyst: rare complication of linear skill fracture with separation of the edges of the fracture and laceration of the dura. The arachnoid membranes can then be trapped between the edges of the fracture and results in herniation of fibrotic tissue/meninges/brain to form a soft tissue mass. -requires surgical excision of abnormal tissue and dural repair
Apert syndrome
Associated with premature fusion of multiple sutures, including the coronal, sagittal, squamosal, and lambdoid sutures. Characterized by syndactyly of the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th fingers,
At what time of the day does benign myoclonus of infancy usually occur? -age of onset? -prognosis? -how to differentiate between infantile spasms?
Benign nonepileptic infantile spasms = brief tonic contractions occur in clusters -USUALLY at mealtimes -first occur at 3-8 mo of age, then resolve spont at 2-3 yo -really cannot differentiate on history or physical exam between these and infantile spasms (REMEMBER YOUR LITTLE BABY FROM ED) and thus, need to refer to neuro asap and get EEG/MRI -if EEG and MRI are normal and baby is developmentally normal, then this is benign myoclonus of infancy.
By definition, how long can a Todd’s paresis last up until?
24 hours maximum
Crouzon Syndrome ?
premature craniosynostosis and is inherited as AD trait
Differentiate tics from stereotypies?
Tics: asymmetric, occur when bored or distracted (not excited), onset at 4-5 years old, worsen with time into different movements, semivoluntary Stereotypies: usually symmetric, occur when excited or happy, same movement over time
Drug of choice for absence epilepsy?
Ethosuximide Valproate Lamotrigine
During what phase of sleep does neonatal sleep myoclonus occur in? -prognosis?
Non-REM sleep = bilateral rhythmic jerks involving upper and lower limbs -can be reproduced by slow rocking of the infant in a head to toe direction -no autonomic changes seen, occur ONLY in sleep, stop with awakening -this helps differentiate these from seizures -resolve spont at 2-3 mo age
Following a first unprovoked seizure, what is the risk of epilepsy over the next 5 years?
40%
How can reflexes help you differentiate between muscle vs. nerve problem?
Nerve problem = reflexes will be completely absent -muscle problem = reflexes will be present or reduced
How can you differentiate between absence seizures (generalized) versus complex partial temporal seizures?
Both cause cessation of activity, staring spells, and automatisms -Absence seizures: no postictal confusion, simple automatisms, provoked by hyperventilation, last a few seconds -Complex partial temporal seizures: + postictal confusion, more complex automatisms, last several minutes ****Impt to differentiate between these since anticonvulsant treatment is different!
How can you differentiate between positional plagiocephaly vs. craniosynostosis?
In positional plagiocephaly, should have ipsilateral anterior displacement of the ear!!!
How can you distinguish between tics versus true involuntary movement disorders (ie. chorea or myoclonus)? (2)
With tics: 1. Presence of premonitory sensory urge that is then relieved by the tic 2. Ability to suppress tics voluntarily
How do you classify gray matter neuronal degeneration conditions? -what are the conditions in each class? (4 each)
Separate into disorders WITH or WITHOUT hepatosplenomegaly -With HSM: 1. Mucopolysaccharidoses (Hurler syndrome, Hunter syndrome, Sanfilippo syndrome) 2. Mucolipidosis 3. Niemann-Pick disease 4. Gaucher disease -Without HSM: 1. Tay-Sachs 2. Rett syndrome 3. Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis 4. Mitochondrial diseases: ie. MELAS
How do you confirm a diagnosis for malignant hyperthermia?
Caffeine contracture test: muscle biopsy tissue specimen is exposed to caffeine = muscle spasm is diagnostic for malignant hyperthermia
How do you differentiate post infectious cerebellitis from meningoencephalitis? (3) -what are 3 potential etiologic agents causing post infectious cerebellitis?
- No fever 2. No altered LOC 3. No seizures 3 potential etiologic agents: 1. VZV 2. Coxsackie 3. Echovirus
Hypsarrhythmia on EEG?
Infantile spasms/West syndrome 3-8 M ACTG or Vigabatrin
In a patient presenting with their first unprovoked seizure, what are the chances of having another seizure in the future?
30%-40%
In patients with dystonia who have a normal MRI, what condition should you rule out?
Segawa disease: DOPA-responsive dystonia! -may LOOK like athetoid CP but when you give DOPA, they then develop normally and the symptoms resolve
In Sturge-Weber syndrome, where is the usual location of a Port-Wine stain?
Distribution of the first branch of the trigeminal nerve (ophthalmic branch)
In which age group are night terrors most commonly seen?
Age 5-7 yo
Marked cyanosis, lethargy with normal O2S?
Methemoglobinemia Rx: Methylene blue Hyperbaric Exchange transfusion
Migraine criteria?
A. At least 5 attacks B. Headache lasting 1-72 hours C. Two of 1. Bilateral location 2. Pulsating quality 3. Moderate to severe intensity 4. Aggravated by physical activity D. One of 1. Nausea +/- vomiting 2. Photo or Phonophobia
Red flags for neurological disorder in newborn on prenatal history? (5)
- Premature birth 2. Decreased fetal movement 3. Polyhydramnios due to impaired swallowing (weakness) 4. Trouble establishing feeding? 5. Resuscitation required after birth?
Rett syndrome
Normal dev until 6 months, then regression 6m-3yrs, then deceleration of head growth with stereotypical hand mvts, severe DD, gait ataxia and apraxia
Three most common causes of eosinophilia?
Atopic dermatitis Allergic rhinitis Asthma
Ways to check for tremor on exam?
Ask patient to pour water from one cup to another Ask patient to draw spirals on piece of paper Ask patient to touch their two index fingers together
What 2 CNS tumors occur commonly in neurofibromatosis type 1?
- Optic nerve glioma 2. Astrocytomas
What 3 clinical features are predictive of poor outcome in guillain barre syndrome?
- Need for intubation 2. Cranial nerve involvement 3. Maximum disability at time of presentation
What 3 medications can be used to treat absence seizures?
- Ethosuxamide (best choice) 2. Valproic acid 3. Lamotrigine
What anti epileptics should be used for treatment of partial seizures? (5)
- Carbamazepine 2. Oxcarbazepine 3. Phenytoin 4. Phenobarb 5. Gabapentin
What are 2 clinical signs suggesting uncal herniation?
- Unilateral 3rd nerve palsy 2. Contralateral hemiparesis ***Temporal lobe is shifting across the tentorial edge and pushing on the brainstem
What are 2 common comorbid conditions seen with Tourette Syndrome?
- ADHD (50% of children with TS) 2. OCD (33% of children with TS)
What are 2 most common organisms that infect VP shunts?
- Staph epidermidis 2. Corynebacterium
What are 2 MRI findings generally seen on imaging of guillain barre syndrome patients?
With gadolinium enhancement: 1. Thickening of cauda equina 2. Thickening of intrathecal nerve roots
What are characteristic features of BECTS? (4) Common trigger? Treatment?
- Occur at night 2. Partial seizure with no loss of consciousness - however, in 1/3 of patients seizures will progress to secondary generalized 3. Unilateral sensorimotor involvement of the face: tongue, lip, gums, cheeks 4. Inability to speak: gurgling, grunting Common trigger: sleep deprivation Treatment: most do not require antiepileptic therapy since seizures are generally short lived and infrequent -If treating: can use carbamazepine or clobazam
What are clinical features of ataxia-telangiectasia? -findings on lab investigations?
AR genetic disorder of DNA repair 1. Neurologic symptoms: ataxia, dystonia, chorea, swallowing difficulties, oculomotor apraxia (makes head movements to compensate for inability to generate saccadic eye movements), intellect is preserved, wheelchair bound by childhood 2. Telangiectasias: conjunctival, skin 3. Premature grey hair 4. Recurrent sinopulmonary infections ***Think: neuro, skin, immunological deficiency, gonadal dysgenesis Lab findings: high AFP, low IgA
What are clinical features of mucopolysaccharidoses? (6) -cause? -examples?
Caused by defective lysosomal enzymes resulting in the accumulation of mucopolysaccharides 1. Dwarfism 2. HSM 3. Kyphoscoliosis 4. Coarse facies 5. Cardiac abnormalities 6. Corneal clouding -Examples of mucopolysaccharidoses: 1. Hurler syndrome (most severe) 2. Hunter Syndrome 3. Sanfilippo syndrome
What are clinical features of neuroleptic malignant syndrome? (4)
- Dystonia 2. Fever 3. Muscle rigidity 4. Autonomic symptoms: tachycardia, hypertension
What are clinical features of SUNCT? -workup? -treatment?
Short lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache attacks with conjunctival injection and tearing: 1. Severe neuralgiform pain of very short duration = painful paroxysms felt in or around the eye in V1 distribution of trigeminal nerve 2. 2-600 times per day 3. Ipsilateral conjunctival injection and tearing very prominent Workup: need MRI brain in every case due to secondary causes of SUNCT from pituitary tumor Treatment: 1. Oxygen for pain relief 2. Trials of indomethacin 3. May need carbamazepine or lamotrigine
What are clinical features of Tay-Sachs disease? -cause?
Cause: gangliosidosis caused by deficiency of hexosaminidase A = accumulation of GM2 ganglioside in cerebral gray matter and cerebellum -Normal until 6 months of age, then develop irritability, listlessness, hyperacusis, intellectual retardation and retinal cherry-red spot -overall: blindness, convulsions, spasticity, opisthotono
What are clinical features of Wilson disease? -lab finding? -treatment?
AR inborn error of copper metabolism 1. Neuro symptoms from copper deposition in the CNS: in teenage years, see dysarthria, dysphasia, drooling, fixed smile, tremor, emotional lability 2. Abnormal copper deposition in the liver = cirrhosis 3. Kayser-Fleischer rings from copper deposition in the cornea -lab finding: decreased serum ceruloplasmin -treatment: copper-chelating agent = oral penicillamine
What are examples of leukodystrophies? (3)
- Metachromatic leukodystrophy: AR lipidosis caused by deficiency of arylsulfatase -demyelination of CNS/peripheral nervous system 2. Krabbe disease: AR lipiosis caused by deficiency of galactocerebrosidase 3. Adrenoleukodystrophy: X-linked with progressive central demyelination and adrenal cortical insufficiency -inability of peroxisome to degrade unbranced very long chain fatty acids -most common presentation = boys in early school years who develop subtle behaviour changes and intellectual deterioration, followed by cortical visual and auditory deficits and stiff gait
What are features suspicious of neurodegenerative disorders and not CP?
Regression of milestones Family history of neuro conditions Ataxia, involuntary movements, oculomotor abN, muscle atrophy, sensory loss Hypotonia Rapid deterioration of neuro sgins Marked worsening during periods of catabolism
What are indications for neuroimaging in a patient presenting with headache? (8)
- Most severe on awakening or am vomiting 2. Focal neuro signs/papilledema on exam 3. Awaken the patient from sleep 4. Altered LOC 5. Seizure 6. Exacerbated by bending or coughing 7. Acute, severe without previous history of headache 8. Progressively worsenin
What are main treatment modalities for children with CP?
- Multi-D team function: PT/OT/dietician/SLP/social workers 2. Exercises to decrease contractures 3. Ortho referral: may require tenotomy of achilles tendon, etc. 4. Motorized wheelchairs, special feeding devices, etc. 5. Constraint-induced movement therapy: useful in hemiplegic CP where the good side is constrained with casts while the impaired side performs exercises to improve hand and arm functioning 6. Medications to treat spasticity: benzos, baclofen, dantrolene, levodopa for dystonia, botox injections into specific muscle groups or salivary glands
What are often the earliest signs of myasthenia gravis? (2)
Ptosis and extraocular muscle weakness -older children may complain of diplopia -young children may hold their eyes open with their fingers
What are options for prophylaxis of migraines? (6) -indication for use?
Indications for use: 1. Need for abortive medication > 3x/wk 2. Missing lots of school or lots of functional impairment Good evidence: 1. Flunarizine (calcium channel blocker) Poor evidence but used anyway: 2. Tricyclic antidepressants: amitryptiline 3. Anticonvulsants: topiramate, valproic acid, levetiracetam 4. Beta blockers: propranolol 5. Calcium channel blockers: verapamil 6. SSRIs: fluoxetine
What are possible triggers for ADEM?
- Preceding infection: viruses, mycoplasma 2. Postvaccination ***Essentially have CNS autoantigen production and antibody formation
What are potential causes of infantile spasms? -which are more likely to respond to therapy? -what is the most recognized cause? -what treatment is used to treat infantile spasms? (4)
- Idiopathic = 40% of cases = MORE LIKELY TO RESPOND TO THERAPY and 40% have good intellectual outcome 2. Specific etiology = 60% of cases = LESS LIKELY TO RESPOND TO THERAPY and have poor intellectual prognosis -metabolic disorders -developmental malformations (polymicrogyria, lissencephaly, schizencephaly, Down syndrome) -Neurocutaneous syndromes (Tuberous sclerosis is the most common recognized cause), sturge weber -Congenital infections -encephalopathies Treatment: 1. ACTH 2. Vigabatrin 3. Benzos 4. Valproic acid
What are side effects of phenytoin?
- Hypotension 2. Fulminant hepatic failure 3. Lymphadenopathy 4. Stevens-Johnsons
What are signs/symptoms of acute dystonic reaction? (2) -treatment?
Caused by too much dopamine blockade usually by an antipsychotic, thus leading to uninhibited cholinergic activation 1. Torticollis 2. Tongue protrusion -treatment: anticholinergic! 1st line = benzatropine (Cogentin), 2nd line = benzos, 3rd line = IV benadryl
What are the 3 clinical features of Sturge-Weber syndrome? -what is the classic finding on CT head of a patient with Sturge Weber who is coming in with focal seizures?
***Think vascular anomalies! 1. Port-Wine stain 2. Leptomeningeal vascular anomalies - can cause seizures and developmental delay 3. Glaucoma: secondary to ocular vascular anomalies -classic CT finding: intracranial calcification in railroad track/tram track appearance (leptomeningeal vascular anomalies of the cerebral cortex)
What are the 3 main categories of etiologies of hydrocephalus?
- Obstruction of CSF pathways: -Foramen of Monro obstruction: craniopharyngioma, germinoma, pituitary tumor, intraventricular tumor (ependymoma), tuberous sclerosis -Aqueduct of sylvius (cerebral aqueduct) obstruction: midbrain tumor, postinfectious -impaired flow from 4th ventricle to the foramen of magendie and two lateral foramina of luschka -dandy walker malformation -arnold chiari malformation 2. Overproduction of CSF: choroid plexus papilloma 3. Defective resorption of CSF (ie. communicating hydrocephalus): hypoplasia or destruction of arachnoid villi (absorbs CSF)
What are the 3 peripheral nerve diseases in childhood?
- Guillain-Barre syndrome 2. Hereditary motor sensory neuropathy (Charcot-Marie Tooth disease) 3. Tick paralysis
What are the 4 types of skull fractures and management of each?
- Linear = no treatment 2. Diastatic (spreads apart sutures) = no treatment 3. Compound (bone fragments breaking the skin surface) = EMERGENT SURGICAL DEBRIDEMENT but no prophylactic antibiotic therapy 4. Depressed (edge displaced inferiorly) = if > 0.5-1 cm, need surgical elevation of bone fragments and repair of associated dural tears ***Any time you see a skull fracture, be concerned that the force was high enough to produce a possible underlying hematoma -don’t forget tetatnus prophylaxis
What are the characteristic features of seizures seen in idiopathic childhood occipital epilepsy (Gastaut type)? -timing? -duration?
Brief, frequent occipital seizures with visual blindness and hallucinations -timing: usually occur during the day -brief
What are the characteristic features of seizures seen in Panayiotopoulos syndrome? -timing? -duration of seizure?
Predominant autonomic symptoms with ictal emesis -always include in ddx for conditions like syncope, migraine, cyclic vomiting, motion sickness, etc. -timing: usually occur at night -duration: usually: > 5 minutes
What are the characteristics of acute cerebellar ataxia?
Post or parainfectious Abrupt onset Trunk affected more than limbs Vertigo Nystagmus Afebrile Normal mental status Imaging normal CSF WBC 0-25 Full recovery 3-6weeks
What are the classifications of cerebral palsy? (4) -most common? -what are the usual findings on MRI for each? -what are the usual causes for each?
- Spastic diplegia (35% = most common) -MRI findings: PVL, periventricular cysts or scars in white matter, ventricular enlargement -major causes: damage to the white matter due to prematurity, ischemia, infection, endocrine/metabolic (thyroid) 2. Spastic quadriplegia (20%): -MRI findings: PVL, multicystic encephalomalacia -causes: ischemia, infection, endocrine/metabolic/genetic/developmental 3. Hemiplegia (25%): -MRI findings: in utero or neonatal stroke -causes: thrombophilic disorders, infection, genetic/developmental/periventricular hemorrhagic infarct 4. Extrapyramidal (athetoid, dyskinetic) (15%): -MRI findings: asphyxia = symmetric scars in putamen and thalamus, kernicterus = scars in globus pallidus and hippocampus, mitochondrial = scars in globus pallidus, caudate, putamen, brainstem -causes: asphyxia, kernicterus, mitochondrial, genetic/metabolic
What are the clinical features of ADEM? (6) -findings on MRI -usual age of presentation
- Lethargy 2. Fever 3. Headache 4. Vomiting 5. Seizures 6. HALLMARK = ENCEPHALOPATHY (confusion, irritability, coma) -findings on MRI: large, multifocal enhancement in white and grey matter of cerebrum, cerebellum and brainstem -usual age of presentation
What are the clinical features of athetoid CP?
- Hypotonic with poor head control and marked head lag –> develop increased tone with rigidity and dystonia over several years 2. Upper extremities > lower extremities with limb positioning in fixed postures 3. Tongue thrust/drooling 4. Upper motor neuron signs are usually not present, seizures are uncommon 5. Intellect preserved in many patients
What are the clinical features of Friedreich ataxia? (6)
Manifests in early teenage years: 1. Ataxia/dysmetria 2. Dysarthria 3. Pes cavus/hammer toes 4. Diminished proprioception/vibration 5. Nystagmus 6. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy ***think cerebellar/brainstem dysfunction, feet and heart
What are the clinical features of juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (classic triad)? Classic hallmark feature? -treatment?
Autosomal dominant disorder -occurs in adolescence -classic triad: 1. Myoclonic jerks 2. GTC sz 3. Absence sz -classic hallmark feature: morning myoclonus within 90 minutes of awakening (could be described as clumsy with difficulty combing hair or dropping fork) -treatment: valproic acid
What are the clinical features of Lesch-Nyhan syndrome? -treatment?
X-linked; deficiency of an enzyme that leads to excess uric acid 1. Psychomotor retardation 2. Spasticity 3. Severe self-mutilation 4. Gouty arthritis with renal calculi ***treatment: allopurinol to treat hyperuricemia and renal complications but there is no effective treatment for the neurologic disease
What are the clinical features of malignant hyperthermia? (6) -drugs that are ABSOLUTELY contraindicated in malignant hyperthermia? (2) -treatment? (3)
- Rapid increase in body temp (fever) 2. Rapid increase in CO2 (due to increased metabolic rate) 3. Muscle rigidity 4. Cyanosis/hypotension 5. Arrhythmias 6. Seizures Drugs that are ABSOLUTELY contraindicated since they can trigger malignant hyperthermia reaction: 1. Succinylcholine 2. Inhalational anesthetics Treatment: 1. IV dantrolene (muscle relaxant) 2. Sodium bicarbonate 3. Cooling
What are the clinical features of MELAS?
Mitochondrial myopathy Encephalopathy Lactic Acidosis Stroke like episodes
What are the clinical features of Niemann-Pick disease? -cause?
Cause: deficiency of sphingomyelinase thus sphingomyelin accumulates in cells of the reticuloendothelial system (liver, spleen, lungs, bone marrow, brain) 1. Intellectual retardation/regression 2. Myoclonic seizures 3. HSM 4. Hypotonia 5. Retinal cherry red spots
What are the clinical features of PHACE syndrome?
- Posterior fossa malformations 2. Hemangiomas 3. Arterial anomalies 4. Coarctation of the aorta 5. Eye abnormalities ***Consider in any child with a unilateral facial lesion and blidnness
What are the clinical features of pseudotumor cerebri? -imaging results? -LP results? -causes? (5)
- Headache 2. 3rd or 6th nerve palsy 3. Papilledema 4. Diplopia -imaging: MRI/CT normal -LP normal except for increased opening pressure -causes: 1. Medications 2. Hyperparathyroidism/hypothyroidism 3. Cushing’s syndrome 4. Obesity 5. Sinus venous thrombosis
What are the clinical features of tuberous sclerosis? -mode of inheritance
Think ASHLEAF, hamartomas in multiple organs, autosomal dominant of variable penetrance A = ashleaf hypopigmented macule seen with Woods Lamp S = shagrene patch (area of thick leathery skin) H = heart rhabdomyoma L = lung hamartoma, retinal hamartoma E = Epilepsy from brain tubers A = Angiomyolipoma of the kidney F = Facial angiofibromas Can also get periungual fibromas (major criteria), subependymal giant cell astrocytomas Infantile spasms may be the first recognized clinical manifestation of tuberous sclerosis (occur 6-12 mo, almost never occur > 12 mo) (65-70% of cases) -indicate poor neurodevelopmental outcome