Neuro - self study Flashcards
Majority of hydrocephalus patients have?
myelomeningocele
What sides of the brain are affected in myoclonic seizures?
Both sides of the brain affected
Causes of seizures?
75% of seizures have an unknown origin
Other causes:
Trauma
Tumor or lesion in brain
Infectious disease in brain
Genetic – low threshold for stimuli
Epilepsy – abnormal neurons
Metabolic disorders – alcohol/drug withdrawal
Degenerative diseases – Alzheimer’s
How is spina bifida diagnosed?
Diagnosed prenatally – maternal serological testing and prenatal ultrasound
What is a Myelomeningicele neural tube defect?
hernial protrusion of saclike cyst – contains meninges, spinal fluid, and a portion of the spinal cord – 80% are located in the lumbar and lumbosacral regions – most common affecting 1 in 1200 infants
How are infants with spina bifida deceived? Why?
Infants are delivered via c-section to minimize trauma
Characteritics of a absence - petit mall seizure?
Sudden onset
Impaired responsiveness
< 30 sec
Blank out or stare into space for a few seconds < 15 seconds
How can risk be decreased for spina bifida?
Risk could be decreased by 70% with a vitamin B Folic Acid supplement – taken by women before they are pregnant so that it is in their system during that first month of development
Where are Myelomeningicele neural tube defects located? What do they contain?
contains meninges, spinal fluid, and a portion of the spinal cord – 80% are located in the lumbar and lumbosacral regions –
Cerebral palsy risk factors?
prenatal or perinatal cerebral hypoxia, hemorrhage, infection, genetic abnormalities, or low birth weight
What are the 4 stages of a tonic-clonic - grand mal seizure?
1.) Prodromal – feeling or sensation, can be hours or days before (20% will have a prodromal feeling)
2.) Early ictal – aura (65% will have an aura)
3.) Ictal – actual seizure – muscle movements
4.) Post Ictal – recovery phase – some immediately, some takes minutes, hours, or days – weak, sore, tired
Symptoms infants will have if they have spina bifida?
Loss of motor, sensory, reflex, and autonomic function below the cyst if spinal column involved
What can status epileptics lead to?
Can lead to maladaptive mechanisms leading to permanent changes in the body
What does an MRI, CBC, and EEG look at?
MRI – atrophy, abnormalities, tumours
CBC, glucose, liver, and kidney functions – causative factors, rule out other conditions
EEG – confirms electrical abnormalities, type and location of seizure
What areas of the brain are damaged with dystonia non-spastic cerebral palsy?
damage to the basal ganglia, or extrapyramidal tracts –
What is broad gait used to maintain in Ataxia cerebral palsy?
broad gait to maintain balance, tremor in intentional movements
85% of children with spina bifida will also have hydrocephalus? What is it?
water on the brain”
What is a seizure?
Sudden transient disruption in brain electrical function caused by excessive discharges of cortical neurons
Characteristics of a myoclonic seizure?
Sudden muscle contractions
Often occurs in limbs or face
Brief shock-like jerks of a muscle or group of muscles lasts a few seconds
Sensation of electrical shock, clumsy, jerking movements
Person is awake and can think clearly
What is status epilepticus in epilepsy?
Seizure activity lasting longer than 30 minutes – or rapidly recurring seizures before the person regains consciousness
Medical emergency that can cause brain death
What is Cerebral palsy?
It is a – non-progressive disorder of movement, muscle tone, or posture
One of the most crippling disorders of childhood
Characteritics of a absence - petit mall seizure?
Sudden onset
Impaired responsiveness
< 30 sec
Blank out or stare into space for a few seconds < 15 seconds
What 3 things might be present in cerebral palsy?
Diplegia, hemiplegia, or tetraplegia
Potential causes of hydrocephalus?
Potential causes – blockage in ventricular system, imbalance of production of CSF, or reduced absorption of CSF
