Neuroanatomical Localisation Flashcards
What is the focal pattern of weakness?
In distribution of peripheral nerve or spinal root, hemi-distribution, pyramidal distribution
What is the non-focal pattern of weakness?
Generalised = predominantly proximal or distal
Includes bulbar motor function if truly generalised (otherwise quadri/tetraparesis)
What is the distribution of UMN weakness?
Corticospinal, hemiparesis, quadriparesis, paraparesis, monoparesis, faciobrachial
What are some features of UMN pattern?
Central pattern sensory loss
Increased deep tendon reflexes (flaccid if very acute)
decreased superficial reflexes
Increased pathological reflexes
Sometimes impaired sphincter function
Increased muscle tone and muscle hypertrophy
What are some features of LMN pattern?
Normal/decreased deep tendon reflexes
Normal superficial and pathological reflexes
Usually normal sphincter function -except cauda equina
Normal/decreased muscle tone with muscle wasting
What is the UMN patter of weakness?
Increased tone with brisk reflexes
Pyramidal or corticospinal pattern = weakness in arm extensors and leg flexors
What is the LMN pattern of weakness?
Wasting, fasciculation, decreased tone and absent/decreased reflexes, flexor plantars
What is the muscle disease pattern of weakness?
Wasting = usually proximal
Decreased tone
Absent/decreased tendon reflexes
What is the NMJ pattern of weakness?
Fatiguable weakness
Normal or decreased tone
Normal tendon reflexes and no sensory symptoms
What is the pattern of functional weakness?
No wasting, normal tone and reflexes, erratic power, non-anatomical loss
What can cause UMN lesions in the CNS?
Acute stroke, space occupying lesions and spinal cord problems
What are some patterns of UMN lesions?
Hemispheric = contralateral pyramidal weakness in face, arms or legs
Spinal cord = pyramidal weakness below level of lesion (cervical = arms and legs, thoracolumbar = legs)
Parasagittal frontal lobe lesion = paraparesis
What causes LMN lesions in anterior horn cells?
Motor neuron disease and spinal muscular atrophy
What are some causes of LMN lesions in peripheral nerves?
Diabetes, alcohol or metabolic insults
How may LMN lesions in peripheral nerves present?
Symmetrical polyneuropathy with weakness and sensory symptoms
Mononeuropathy due to nerve compression
Mononeuritis multiplex due to diabetes or vasculitis
What are the nerves and muscles involved in shoulder abduction and elbow extension?
Shoulder abduction = deltoid muscle, axillary nerve, C5 nerve root
Elbow extension = triceps muscle, radial nerve, C7 nerve root
What are the nerves and muscles involved in finger extension and index finger abduction?
Finger extension = extensor digitorum, posterior interosseous nerve, C7 nerve root
Index finger abduction = first dorsal interosseous, ulnar nerve, T1 nerve root
What muscles and nerves are involved in hip and knee flexion?
Hip flexion = iliopsoas muscle, femoral nerve, L1-2 nerve roots
Knee flexion = hamstring muscle, sciatic nerve, S1 nerve root
What muscles and nerves are involved in ankle dorsiflexion?
Peroneal muscle = innervated by common peroneal and sciatic nerves, L4-5 nerve roots
What are the roots of the deep tendon reflexes?
Ankle = S1-2 Knee = L3-4 Biceps = C5-6 Triceps = C7-8
What are some patterns of sensory loss?
Stocking = implies length dependent neuropathy
Dermatomal = mononeuropathy, radicular/plexus lesion
Sensory level = implies spinal cord lesion