Neuro revision Flashcards
What is syringomyelia?
Collection of cerebrospinal fluid within spinal cord
Causes of syringomyelia?
Chiari malformation
Trauma
Tumours
Idiopathic
In syringomyelia which sensation is affected?
Cape- like loss of temperature sensation, preservation of light touch, proprioception and vibration
Clinical features of syringomyelia?
Cape- like loss of temperature sensation
Spastic weakness
Neuropathic pain
Upgoing plantars
autonomic features
Horner’s syndrome
Scoliosis
Treatment for generalised tonic clonic seizures?
Males - sodium valproate
Females - lamotrigine or levetiracetam
Treatment for absence seizures?
1st line = ethosuximide
2nd = male - sodium valproate
female - lamotrigine/ levetiracetam
Treatment for focal seizures?
First line = lamotrigine or levetiracetam
Second line = carbamexapine, oxycarbazepine
Which medication may exacerbate absence seizures?
Carbamezapine
What is another name for absence seizures?
Petit mal
Treatment for myoclonic seizures?
Males - sodium valproate
Females - levetiracetam
Treatment for tonic or atonic seizures?
Males - sodium valproate
Females - lamotrigine
What nerves does the sciatic nerve divide into?
Tibial and common peroneal nerves
Where does injury often occur in common peroneal nerve lesion?
Neck of fibula
Characteristics of common peroneal nerve lesion?
Foot drop
Weak foot dorsiflexion, foot eversion
Weak extensor hallucis longus
Sensory loss over dorsum of foot, and lower lateral leg
Wasting of anterior tibial and peroneal muscles
Factors suggesting true epileptic seizure?
Tongue biting
Raises serum prolactin
Factors suggesting pseudoseizure?
Pelvic thrusting
Family member with epilepsy
Female»_space;
Crying after seizure
Don’t occur when alone
Gradual onset
Classic history - vestibular schwannoma/ acoustic neuroma?
Vertigo
Unilateral SNHL
Tinnitus
Absent corneal reflex
Interpretation of Webers?
Normal - midline
Conductive - bad ear
SNHL - good ear
Which artery occluded in lateral medullary syndrome/ Wallenberg’s?
Posterior inferior cerebellar artery
Cerebellar features of posterior inferior cerebellar artery occlusion/ lateral medullary syndrome?
Cerebellar: ataxia, nystagmus
Brainstem features of posterior inferior cerebellar artery occlusion/ lateral medullary syndrome?
Ipsilateral: Dysphagia, facial numbness, cranial nerve palsy e.g. Horner’s
Contralateral: limb sensory loss
What is Guillain- Barre syndrome?
Immune mediated demyelination of peripheral nervous system, often triggered by infection
Which infection often causes GBS?
Campylobacter jejuni
What is the characteristic feature of GBS?
Progressive, symmetrical weakness of all limbs
Classically ascending weakness
Reduced/ absent reflexes
Few sensory signs/ symptoms
Investigations in GBS?
Lumbar puncture - rise in protein, normal WBC count
Nerve conduction studies - dec motor nerve conduction velocity (demyelination)
Parietal lobe lesions?
Sensory inattention
Apraxia
Tactile agnosia
Inferior homonymous quadrantanopia