Neuro guidelines Flashcards
investigations following first seizure
EEG and brain MRI
investigation to determine true from pseudoseizure
raised serum prolactin for a couple hours
when do you NORMALLY start AEDs?
After second seizurE
what would make you start AEDs after a first seizure
EEG shows unequivocal epileptiform activity There is a structural abnormality on brain MRI There is a persisting neurological deficit Family or family considers risk of second seizure unacceptable
driving ban after 1st seizure
6 months
how long do you need to be seizure free for to drive if you have epilepsy
12 months
1st line epilepsy meds: - generalised - absence - partial - pregnancy
generalised = valproate absence = valproate or ethosuximide partial = carbamazepine pregnancy = lamotrigine (usually 2nd line as well)
status epilepticus and timing
0m = O2 and ABCDE 5m = buccal midaz or IV loraz 10m = IV lorazepam 15m = escalate + phenytoin 45m = intubate
Parkinson’s investigations
clinical diagnosis Use DaT scan (SPECT) and MRI brian to exclude P+ syndromes and to ensure diagnosis if unsure
1st line for PD and SE
if motor Sx = levodopa and carbidopa/benserazide if no motor Sx predominate = can chose from any SE = dyskinesia
2nd line PD and SE
non-ergot derived dopamine agonists (bromocriptine, cabergoline, pergolide, ropinorole) SE = impulse, hallucinations MAO-Bi = seleginine. SE = ? COMTi = entacapone. SE = orange urine and diarrhoea
Mx for drug induced parkinsonism
procyclidine
investigations that help MS diagnosis
contrast brain MRI shows dawson fingers and periventricular plaques. McDonald criteria. CSF shows oligoclonal bands (doesn’t NEED to be present for diagnosis)
Acute relapse of MS Mx
IV methylprednisolone for 5d, shortens flares
1st line DMARD for MS and criteria to get it
beta interferon need 2 relapses in past 2 years and also be able to walk 10-100m unaided
2nd line drugs for MS - glatiramer - natalizumab - fingolimod
glatiramer = immune decoy natalizumab = alpha4beta1 inhibitor preventing leucocyte transmission through the BBB fingolimod = sphingosine receptor modulator preventing lymphocytes leaving the lymph nodes
Symptom treatment for MS: - fatigue - spasticity - bladder dysfunction - ossciloscopia
- fatigue = amantadine + CBT - spasticity = baclofen + gabapentin - bladder dysfunction –> residual volume = self catherisation –> no residual volume = anticholinergics - ossciloscopia = gabapentin
when are anticholinesterses CI in alzheimers
DONEPEZIL is CI bradycardia. not the others
name 3 anticholinesterases for AD
galantaine
rivastigmine (can be given as patch if not able to swallow)
donepezil
what is 1st and 2nd line in AD
1st = anticholinesterases 2nd = memantine
How do you treat Frontotemporal Dementia
You cant really. acetylcholinesterases/memantine don’t work because those systems aren’t affected the same way as AD and LBD
Lewy body dementia Tx
same as AD
ROSIER score
rule out of stroke in the emergency room any score of >0 means stroke is likely +1 = speech problem, face/arm/leg weakness, vision problem -1 = TLOC, seizure, syncope
Immediate Mx of ischaemic stroke
Always = 300mg aspirin for 2 weeks within 4.5 hours = thrombolyse within 6 hours (or 24 if have done scan and ischaemic bit is still small) if MCA/ACA proximal = thrombectomy ALONGSIDE thrombolysis
Immediate Mx of haemorhagic stroke
control BP to 100-120 with labetolol and consult neurosurgery
Ongoing Mx of ischaemic stroke
After 2w, stop aspirin and give clopidogrel lifelong 75mg
What is clopidogrel is CI, what do you give for long term secondary preventions
aspirin + dipyridamole
DVT prophylaxis of stroke in hospital
intermitten pneumatic calf devices
when do you do a carotid endarterectomy after a stroke
if stenosis >50%
when do you start a statin after a stroke
if cholesterol >3.5
ABCD2 score
for TIA age >60 BP 140>90 clinical features = speech 1p, unilateral weakness 2p duration (10-59m, 60+m) = 1 and 2 points diabetes
immediate management of TIA
300mg aspirin
when do you NOT give 300mg aspirin in a TIA and what do you do in those cases
anti coagulated/bleeding disorder –> admit for head CT already on low dose aspirin –> just continue at same dose until TIA appointment
when do you arrange TIA appointment
crescendo TIA = discuss admission now TIA in last 7d = assessment within 24 hours TIA >7d ago = assessment within 7d
drug for life in TIA?
Yes, clopidogrel 75mg as in stroke
first line sedative in delerium
0.5mg haloperidol CI in PD so use lorazepam instead
investigation for meningitis
Serum PCR and blood culture LP unless CI (meningococcal septicaemia or raised ICP)
turbid CSF
think its meningitis and you’re a GP?
Give IM benzylpenicillin as long as it doesn’t delay transfer to hospital
empirical Abx for menignitis in hospital depending on age
<3m = cefotaxime + amoxicillin 3m-50y = ceftriaxone/cefotaxime >50y = ceftriaxone/cefotaxime + amoxicillin
IV antibiotic for specific meningitis bug: - meningiococcal - pneumococcal/hamophilus - listeria –what else do you give to everyone
- M = benzylpenicillin + cefotaxime - P/H = cefotaxime - L = amoxicillin + gentamicin You give dexamethasone alongside first dose of antibiotic to everyone to reduce neuro complication rate
how do you confirm a SAH has occurred
1st do CT head if negative, check CSF for xanthchromia (yellow CSF) at least 12 hours later
management for SAH when waiting for surgery
strict bed rest, stool softness, no straining, BP control
medical management for SAH after surgery
21 days nimodipine (CCB) to prevent vasospasm
presentation and Mx of vasospasm post SAH
presents 4-9d after surgery for SAH with focal deficits +/- reduced cognitive function triple H therapy - hypervolaemia, induced hypertension, haemodilution
1st line Ix for Lyme disease
ELISA for antibodies against burrelia burgdorferi can diagnose clinically if symptoms present and bull eye erythema migrans present
Mx of Lyme: - early - disseminated
early = doxycycline disseminated = ceftriaxone beware of Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction
Encephalitis best Ix two other Ixs
Best = MRI shows hyperdensitiy in temporal lobe EEG shows lateralised periodic discharges at 2Hz CSF shows lymphocytosis and elevated protein
Mx of encephalitis
IV aciclovir as most common cause is HSV1
trigeminal neuralgia
presentation
Mx when do you refer
any stimulation of nerve (sensation of face) elicits excruciating pain
carbamazepine
refer if <50yo or fails to respond to above
Bells palsy Mx time cutoff for Tx
1mg/kg 10d prednisolone eye care give within 72 hours for best effect
myasthenia gravis presentation
Best Ix
other Ix needed
autoimmune antibodies to acetylcholine receptors –> insufficient functioning
symptoms worse when fatigued, better in morning after rest
presentation:
- ptosis (drooping of eye)
diplopia (double vision)
face muscle weakness
dysphagia (difficulty swallowing)
weak arms, legs or neck
shortness of breath and occasionally serious breathing difficulties
- muscle weakness (peripherally in later stages)
Best = single fibre EMG (trace decreases in amplitude with receptive stimulation)
others = CT chest to exclude thymoma
antibodies to acetylcholine receptors 85-95% patients
Tensilon test (IV edrophinium) NOT used anymore
Mx for Myaesthenia gravis - flare
flare = prednisolone
Mx for Myaesthenia gravis - ongoing - how do you monitor respiratory function
ongoing = antcholinesterase inhibitor long acting:
- pyridostigmine first line
immunosuppression may be used: pred initially
thymectomy
Monitor with FVC
Mx for Myaesthenia gravis - crisis
plasmapheresis and IV immunoglobulin
Guillain barre syndrome: - LP - nerve conduction studies - antibody
- LP shows isolated protein rise (normal WCC)
- nerve conduction studies (slow response due to demyelination)
- anti-GM1
GBS Mx
IVIG
plasma exchange (plasmapheresis) – an alternative to IVIG where a machine is used to filter your blood to remove the harmful substances that are attacking your nerves
MND Ix
Normal nerve conduction study EMG shows few APs with normal amplitude + fibrillation
Mx for MND
riluzole and BiPAP at night
acute Mx of migraine 1st and 2nd line
1st = NSAID + oral triptan + paracetamol ——-> if <17yrs old use nasal triptan instead 2nd = non-ral metoclopromide/prochlorperazine (beware of dystonic reaction)
cutoff for migraine prophylaxis frequency
2+ per month
migraine prophylaxis Mx 1st and 2nd line adjunct?
1 = propranolol (or topiramate if not woman of childbearing age) 2 = acupuncture —> can also use riboflavin as adjunct
cluster headache acute Mx
100% oxygen and subcut triptan
prophylaxis cluster headache
verapamil
tension headache acute Mx
NSAID, paracetamol
Tension headache propylaxis
acupuncture (NOT amitriptyline which is often used)
When do you do a head CT within 1 hour after a head injury
GCS <15 2 hours after injury GCS <13 on clerking focal neurological deficit post-traumatic seizure 2+ episodes of vomiting open or depressed skull fracture
when do you do a head CT within 8 hours after a head injury
Need to have some loss of consciousness and: - be over 65 - be on warfarin or have bleeding disorder - have 30mins amnesia before event - dangerous mechanism of injury (struck by vehicle, ejected from vehicle, fall >1m/5 stairs)
lumbar puncture anatomy
iliac crests
L3/4 , L4/5
termination of spinal cord:
adult: L1
baby: L3
lumbar puncture analysis
21
photophobic
pyrexial
headache
protein raised
glucose low
white cell raised
pressure: raised
diagnosis
bacterial meningitis
37
worst headache ever
lumbar puncture:
protein normal
glucose normal
WCC normal
opening pressure normal
appearance:
xanthochromia - yellow CSF
diagnosis?
subarachnoid haemorrhage
- can get xanthochromia - yellow CSF
GBS presentation
muscle weakness
ascending weakness lower extremities first but proximal muscles earlier than distal ones
reflexes reduced/absent
numbness/tingling
back/leg pain
immune response causing demyelination of peripheral nerves
often triggered by infection (Campylobacter jejuni) - hx of gastroenteritis
can be treated
causes of bilateral facial nerve palsy
sarcoidosis
guillain-Barre syndrome
lyme disease
bilateral acoustic neuromas (as in neurofibromatosis type 2)
Bell’s palsy (mostly unilateral)
cause of unilateral facial nerve palsy
bilateral causes can also be unilateral
lower motor neuron:
Bells palsy
Ramsay-Hunt syndrome (due to herpes zoster- rash in ear)
acoustic neuroma
parotid tumours
HIV
multiple sclerosis (may also be UMN palsy)
diabetes mellitus
Upper motor neuron: (forehead sparing)
stroke
interpretation of pupillary findings in head injuries
diagnosis
most likely affected people
chronic subdural haemorrhage
chronic as darker (infarct of cells)
patients on anticoagulation
alcoholics
old people
patients with bleeding disorders
with fall
slower onset of symptoms than extradural
can be chronic or acute
diagnosis
subarachnoid haemorrhage
blood seen within CSF spaces
most likely berry aneurysm rupture in circle of willis
thunderclap headache
diagnosis
intracerebral haemorrhage
surrounding low density due to oedema
history of intractable HTN
sudden onset severe posterior headache
dysphasia (difficulty speaking) and vomiting
right hemiparesis
diagnosis
cerebral metastesis
multiple ‘ring-enhancing lesions’ due to cerebral mets
known hx of lung cancer
increasing headaches and clumsiness
diagnosis
glioma
large enhancing mass invades corpus callosum and crosses midline
headaches
visual field defect
diagnosis
meningioma
large enhancing mass
makes broad contact with meningeal surface
headaches - worse in morning
loss of balance
increasingly irritable
increased tone on right
diagnosis
scalp haematoma
swelling of scalp soft tissues
if you see scalp haematoma, check for underlying skull fracture and intracranial haemorrhage
direct blunt trauma to right side of head
scalp swelling and bleeding
diagnosis
skull mets
multiple destructive (lytic) bone lesions of skull due to bone mets
known hx of breast cancer
headaches and palpable lumps on scalp
diagnosis
acute infarct
string sign - dense middle cerebral artery due to thrombus
acute onset right hemiparesis
diagnosis
old infarct -MCA territory
goes low density (dark) when infarcted area dies
diagnosis
extradural haemorrhage with contracoup injury
lens shaped collection of blood: extradural haemorrhage
usually from damage to middle meningeal artery
runs behind pterion (weakest part of skull)
post traumatic intracranial haemorrhage at site of impact = coup injury
can have contracoup injury on opposite side of brain to site of impact - caused by acceleration-deceleration forces at time of injury
fall fron height with direct trauma to left side of head
management of head injury
whilst waiting for surgery may need IV mannitol/furosemide if rising ICP
surgery
diffuse cerebral oedema may require decompressive craniotomy
depressed skull fracture: if open require surgical reduction and debridement
ICP monitoring appropriate: GCS 3-8 and normal CT
ICP monitoring mandatory: GCS 3-8 and abnormal CT
hyponatraemia most likely due to syndrome of inappropriate ADH secretion
minimum cerebral perfusion pressure in adults: 70mmHg
minimum cerebral perfusion pressure in children: 40-70mmHg
common side effect after lumbar puncture
post lumbar puncture headache
24-48hrs following LP
may last several days
worsens in upright position
improves with recumbent position
more common in young females and with low BMI
Mx:
- if pain continues >72hrs: blood patch, epidural saline, intravenous caffeine
to prevent subdural haematoma
syncope classification
reflex syncope (most common):
- vasovagal (fainting): emotion, pain, stress
situational: cough, micturition, gastrointestinal
carotid sinus syncope
orthostatic syncope:
- primary autonomic failure: parkinsons, lewy body dementia
- secondary autonomic failure: diabetic neuropathy
drug induced: diuretics, alcohol, vasodilators
volume depletion: haemorrhagic, diarrhoea
cardiac syncope:
- arrhythmias
structural: valvular, MI
PE
investigations for syncope
cardio exam
postural BP:
- symptomatic fall in systolic BP>20 or diastolic BP>10
- or decrease in systolic BP<90
considered diagnostic
ECG
carotid sinus massage
tilt table test
24h ECG
diabetic neuropathy Mx
sensory loss
first line Mx: amitriptyline, duloxetine, gabapentin or pregabalin
if one doesnt work try one of the others
tramadol : rescue therapy for exaccerbations of neuropathic pain
what is cervical spondylosis
extremely common
age-related wear and tear affecting the spinal disks in your neck - osteoarthritis of neck
neck pain
referred pain may mimic headache
complications:
- radiculopathy (pinched nerve)
- myelopathy (injury to spinal cord due to compression)
Mx for cervical spondylosis
NSAIDs
corticosteroid injections
most common complication of meningitis
sensorineural hearing loss
infective: sepsis, intracerebral abscess
pressure: brain herniation, hydrocephalus
cerebral abscess presentation
high temp
Increased ICP symptoms:
- headache in single section of head
- seizures
- nause and vomiting
- stiff neck
- changes in vision
- changes in mental state
- problems with nerve function
cerebral abscess Ix and Mx
medical emergency
Ix: CT
Mx: CT-guided aspiration through hole in skull
aspiration MC&S
empirical abx/ antifungals
symptoms of raised intracranial pressure
benign (idiopathic) intracranial hypertension
links?
overweight - more common in overweight women in 20s/30s
endocrine problems
meds: abx, steroids, COCP
lack of red blood cells (iron deficiency anaemia) or too many RBCs (polycythaemia)
CKD
lupus
chronic benign intracranial hypertension
Ix and Mx
Ix: CT
lumbar puncture
Mx:
- lose weight
- stop meds causing symptoms
take off contraceptive
diuretics
oral pred to relieve headaches and reduce risk of vision loss
regular lumpar punctures to remove excess fluid from spine
what is motor neurone disease
presentation
affects motor neurones –> muscle weakness
risk factor: frontotemporal dementia
presentation:
- muscle weakness - decreased dexterity, falls trips
- dysphagia, dysphasia, tongue fasciculations (bulbar presentation)
- muscle weakness, wasting, twitching
- breathing problems- SOB
- fatigue, excessive daytime sleepiness
- may include behavioural changes, emotional lability, frontotemporal dementia
types of motor neurone disease
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS): most common
- both upper and lower motor neurones affected
- limb muscle weakness and wasting
- stiffness
- over-active reflexes
- speech and swalllowing signs later affected
progressive bulbar palsy (PBP)
- speech and swallowing
- when ALS begins in muscles of speech and swallowing it is PBP (muscles of speech and swallowing as nerves that control these are in the bulb)
- limb muscles may later be affected
progressive musclar atrophy
- much slower progression and longer survival
lower motor neurones affected
if it moves to upper limbs = ALS
primary lateral sclerosis
upper motor neurones
very rare
what is bulbar palsy
paralysis of muscles of swallowing and speech
–> dysphagia + dysphasia
Mx for ALS type MND
riluzole
for treatment of ALS MND
for slowing progression
no cure
quinine for muscle cramps
baclofen for stiffness, spasticity, increased tone