Neuro: General (Motor + Sensory disorders) Flashcards
Allodynia (pain from stimuli that shouldn’t be painful)
Flushing
Unusual hair growth
Hx of trauma
Complex regional pain syndrome
- 3F:1M
Type 1: no lesion
Type 2: underlying lesion on nerve
Used to diagnose complex regional pain syndrome
Budapest Diagnostic Criteria
Management of complex regional pain syndrome
Physiotherapy
Neuropathic analgesia
Clinician has the patient extend their neck and turn their head to the side that is being tested. The patient then holds their breath and the radial pulse is palpated.
Tests for thoracic outlet syndrome
Adson’s test
Positive if change in pulse/ no pulse
Inability to control facial movements
Pseudobulbar palsy
- seen in PSP
- Parkinson’s
- MS
Muscle wasting of the hands
Paraesthesia
Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS)
- 90% of TOS
- neurogenic
- Compression of brachial plexus
Painful arm swelling
Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOAS)
- 10%
- vascular
- Subclavian artery/vein
Flushing
Sweating
Extreme HTN
Autonomic dysreflexia
- symptoms above level of spinal injury
Causes of Autonomic dysreflexia
Faecal impaction (constipation) Urinary retention
Intervertebral disc prolapses are more common to herniate
Laterally - due to weaker ligaments
Causes of peripheral neuropathy
ABCDE
Alcohol B12 deficiency Cancer CKD Diabetes Drugs (isoniazid) Every vasculitis
Predominantly motor-loss neuropathy
- Guillain-Barre syndrome
- Porphyria
- Lead poisoning
- Hereditary Sensorimotor Neuropathies (HSMN)
- Charcot-Marie-Tooth - Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy
- Diptheria
Predominantly sensory-loss neuropathy
Diabetes "glove + stocking loss" Uraemia Leprosy Alcoholism Vitamin B12 deficiency Amyloidosis
Dyskinesia
Dystonia
Chorea
Athetosis
Involuntary contraction of muscles
Dystonia
Irregular unpredictable movements
Chorea
Involuntary writhing of fingers etc
Athetosis
Muscle weakness Decreased tone Decreased reflexes Muscle wasting Fasiculations Affects full face
Lower motor neuron (LMN) lesion
- most things decreased
Muscle weakness Increases tone Increased reflexes (brisk) Muscle mass maintained Spasticity Upgoing plantars Forehead sparing
Upper motor neuron (UMN) lesion
- most things increased
Causes of UMN lesions
Stroke
Tumour
Genetics for Huntington’s Chorea
Autosomal dominant
Tri-nucleotide disorder
Anticipation: Earlier age of onset = increased severity for later generations
Age 30s
Uncontrolled movements
Falls
Difficulty speaking
Huntington’s Chorea
Symmetrical fine tremor Worsens on intentional movements Disappears on rest Improves with alcohol Can affect vocal cords
Benign essential tremor
Management of benign essential tremor
Propranolol
Primidone
Subacute onset Behavioural changes Speech impairment Visual impairment Motor impairment Ataxia Weakness
Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML)
Widespread demyelination due to infection of oligodendrites by John cunningham virus (JC Virus)
Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML)
Investigations for PML
CT: Lesions
MRI: High-signal demyelinating white matter lesions
Impaired balance (prone to falls)
Vertical gaze palsy
Symmetrical onset
Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP)
- Parkinson plus condition
- Levodopa can sometimes help
A collection of CSF (in fluid filled cyst “syrinx) within the spinal cord that compresses the spinothalamic tract fibres (decussating at anterior white commissure of spine)
Syringomyelia
Cape-like loss of temperature (neck + arms) - accidental burns Preserved: - light touch - Proprioception - Vibration Spastic weakness (upper limbs) Paraesthesia Neuropathic pain Bowel + bladder dysfunction
Syringomyelia
- age 20-40s
Causes of Syringomyelia
Arnold-chiari malformation
Trauma
Tumours
Idiopathic
Complications of Syringomyelia
Syringobulbia (fluid filled cavity in medulla)
Scoliosis
Horner’s syndrome
Investigations for syringomyelia
Full spine + brain MRI
Months onset Pain (neck/ upper + lower limbs) Loss of motor function Decreased sensory function Decreased dexterity in hands Urinary/ faecal incontinence
Degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM)
An involuntary flexion movement of the thumb and or index finger when the examiner flicks the fingernail of the middle finger down. The reflexive pathway causes the thumb to flex and adduct quickly
Tests for Degenerative Cervical myelopathy
Hoffman’s sign
Risk factors for Degenerative Cervical myelopathy (DCM)
Smoking (effects discs)
Genetics
Occupation- Labourer (high axial load)
Investigations for Degenerative cervical myelopathy
MRI Cervical spine
Management for degenerative cervical myelopathy
Decompressive surgery
OA of the spine leading to compression of the cord
Cervical spondylosis
Neck pain + stiffness
LMN signs at level of compression
UMN signs below lesion
Cervical spondylosis
Damage to posterior spinal artery
Posterior cord syndrome