Neurology Flashcards
Which type of motor neuron disease carries the worst prognosis?
Progressive bulbar palsy
where is the median longitudinal fasciculus?
paramedian area of the midbrain and pons
MOA of baclofen?
- GABA receptor agonist
- used to treat muscle spasticity in conditions such as multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy and spinal cord injuries.
features of Von Hippel Lindau?
auto dom condition -> neoplasia
- cerebellar haemangiomas -> subarachnoid haemorrhage
- retinal haemangiomas
- renal cysts
- phaeochromocytoma
- clear cell renal cell carcinoma
- extra renal cysts (hepatic, pancreatic, epididymal)
hearing loss: vestibular neuronitis/ viral labyrinthitis?
vestibular neuronitis: NO hearing loss or tinnitus
features of syringomyelia?
‘cape-like’ (neck and arms) loss of sensation to temperature, with preservation of light touch, proprioception and vibration
Ix of syringomyelia?
full spine MRI with contrast to exclude a tumour or tethered cord.
+ brain MRI to exclude a Chiari malformation.
DVLA time off driving after first unprovoked seizure?
- 6 months if brain imaging and EEG normal
- 12 months if any abnormality in ix
DVLA time off driving after stroke/ TIA?
1 month off driving, may not need to inform DVLA if no residual neurological deficit
DVLA time off driving after multiple TIAs?
3 months off driving and inform DVLA
management of respiratory distress in MND?
NIV e.g. BIPAP
current evidence based management of Bell’s palsy?
oral prednisolone
which management options in MND prolongs survival?
- NIV: 7 months
- Riluzole: 3 months
poor prognostic features of Guillain-Barre?
- age > 40 years
- poor upper extremity muscle strength
- previous history of a diarrhoeal illness (specifically Campylobacter jejuni)
- high anti-GM1 antibody titre
- need for ventilatory support
topiramate and glaucoma?
topiramate can precipitate acute closed angle glaucoma
Internuclear ophthalmoplegia: ie. Left eye unable to ADDUCT, where is the lesion?
LEFT medial longitudinal fasciculus
first line of medical management for drooling of saliva in people with Parkinson’s disease
glycopyrronium bromide
*If not effective/ tolerated or contraindicated, consider botulinum toxin A.
management of myoclonic seizures?
sodium valproate
2nd line: clonazepam, lamotrigine
what anti epileptic might exacerbate myoclonic seizures?
carbamazepine
Management of focal seizures?
carbamazepine or lamotrigine
what antiepilpetic might exacerbate absence seizures?
carbamazepine
management of absence seizures?
sodium valproate or ethosuximide
management of generalised tonic clonic seizures
sodium valproate
2nd line: lamotrigine, carbamazepine
features of anterior spinal artery occlusion?
- Bilateral spastic paresis
2. Bilateral loss of pain and temperature sensation
what tracts are affected in anterior spinal artery occlusion?
- Lateral corticospinal tracts
2. Lateral spinothalamic tracts
what anti-emetics might cause QTc prolongation?
ondansetron
1st line mx of brain abscess?
- IV 3rd-generation cephalosporin (Ceftriaxone) + metronidazole
- dexamethasone to reduce pressure
- surgery to drain abscess
renal angiomyolipoma assoc w?
tuberous sclerosis
features of Miller Fischer syndrome?
- ophthalmoplegia, areflexia and ataxia.
The eye muscles are typically affected first, “descending paralysis”
What antibodies are assoc w Miller Fischer syndrome?
anti-GQ1b antibodies
1st line management of benign essential tremor?
propranolol
when can you consider stopping antiepileptic drugs in epilepsy ?
if seizure free for >2 years. stop drugs over 2-3 months
1st line ix in suspected stroke?
non contrast CT head
features of parietal lobe brain lesion?
- sensory inattention
- apraxias (following commands)
- astereognosis (tactile agnosia)
- inferior homonymous quadrantanopia
- Gerstmann’s syndrome (lesion of dominant parietal): alexia, acalculia, finger agnosia and right-left disorientation
features of occipital lobe lesion?
- homonymous hemianopia (with macula sparing)
- cortical blindness
- visual agnosia (not recognising objects)
features of temporal lobe lesion?
- Wernicke’s aphasia
- superior homonymous quadrantanopia
- auditory agnosia
- prosopagnosia (difficulty recognising faces)
features of frontal lobe lesion?
- expressive (Broca’s) aphasia
- disinhibition
- perseveration
- anosmia
- inability to generate a list
features of cerebellar lesion?
- midline lesions: gait and truncal ataxia
- hemisphere lesions: intention tremor, past pointing, dysdiadokinesis, nystagmus
what area of the brain is implicated in Wernickes/ Korsakoffs?
Medial thalamus and mammillary bodies of the hypothalamus
What area of the brain is implicated in Huntington’s chorea?
Striatum (caudate nucleus) of the basal ganglia
features of Kluver-Bucy syndrome
hypersexuality, hyperorality, hyperphagia, visual agnosia
- amygdala affected
what drugs might cause idiopathic intracranial HTN?
- COCP
- steroids
- tetracyclines
- vitamin A/ retinoids
- lithium
what medication options might be beneficial in idiopathic intracranial HTN?
- diuretics e.g. acetazolamide, topiramate
- topiramate
what management for idiopathic intracranial HTN?
- weight loss
- repeated LPs
- Diuretics e.g. acetazolamide, topiramate
- surgery (ie. VP shunt, endovascular shunt in patients with transverse sinus stenoses)
what leukaemia is most associated with gingival hyperplasia?
AML
management of myasthenia crisis?
plasmapheresis + intravenous immunoglobulins
1st line management of myasthenia gravis?
pyridostigmine (acetylcholinesterase inhibitor)
management of myasthenia gravis?
- pyridostigmine
- immunosuppression: prednisolone initially (azathioprine, cyclosporine, mycophenolate mofetil may also be used)
- thymectomy
Ix of myasthenia gravis?
- single fibre electromyography: high sensitivity (92-100%)
- CT thorax to exclude thymoma
- CK normal
- autoantibodies
bromocriptine, ropinirole, cabergoline, apomorphine
dopamine agonists
- for parkinsons
selegiline
MAO-B inhibitors
- for parkinsons
entacapone, tolcapone
COM-T inhibitor
- COMT is an enzyme involved in the breakdown of dopamine, and hence used as an adjunct to levodopa therapy
what class of drug is topiramate?
carbonic anhydrase inhibitor
most common autonomic symptoms seen in Guillain Barre?
tachycardia, urinary retention
LP in Guillain Barre - what findings?
rise in protein with a normal white blood cell count (albuminocytologic dissociation) - found in 66%
Nerve conduction studies in Guillain Barre - what findings?
- decreased motor nerve conduction velocity (due to demyelination)
- prolonged distal motor latency
- increased F wave latency
which parkinsonian medication is associated with pulmonary/ cardiac/ retroperitoneal fibrosis?
ergot-derived dopamine receptor agonists (bromocriptine, cabergoline)
features of multiple system atrophy?
- parkinsonism
- autonomic disturbance
- —– erectile dysfunction: often an early feature
- —– postural hypotension
- —– atonic bladder
- cerebellar signs
Features of Neurofibromatosis type 1 (aka von Recklinghausen’s syndrome)?
- Café-au-lait spots (>= 6, 15 mm in diameter)
- Axillary/groin freckles
- Peripheral neurofibromas
- Iris hamatomas (Lisch nodules) in > 90%
- Scoliosis
- Pheochromocytomas
what chromosome is affected in NF1?
chromosome 17
- gene mutation that affects neurofibromin
Features of neurofibromatosis type 2?
- Bilateral vestibular schwannomas
- Multiple intracranial schwannomas, mengiomas and ependymomas
What chromosome is affected in NF2?
chromosome 22
management of migraines in pregnancy?
- 1st line paracetamol
- 2nd line: NSAIDs in the first and second trimester
AVOID aspirin and opioids e.g. codeine
what artery is affected in Lateral medullary syndrome?
posterior inferior cerebellar artery
features of Lateral medullary syndrome / Wallenburg syndrome?
Cerebellar features: ataxia, nystagmus
Brainstem features:
- ipsilateral: dysphagia, facial numbness, cranial nerve palsy e.g. Horner’s
- contralateral: limb sensory loss
In patients with Guillain-Barre syndrome, respiratory function should be monitored with:
FVC (Force Vital Capacity) to monitor respiratory function
right congruous homonymous hemianopia with macula sparing.
where is the lesion
LEFT occipital cortex (opposite side!)
contraindications for triptan use?
ischaemic heart disease or cerebrovascular disease
acute management of cluster headache?
s/c sumatriptan + 100% O2
Prophylaxis of cluster headache?
verapamil
Complications of aneurysmal SAH?
- Re-bleeding: usually in first 12h
- Vasospasm: typically 7-14 days after
- Hyponatraemia (SIADH)
- Seizures
- Hydrocephalus
- Death
1st line management of spasticity in multiple sclerosis?
gabapentin or baclofen.
management of neuroleptic malignant syndrome?
- stop antipsychotic
- IV Fluids
- dantrolene- directly relaxes muscles by inhibiting calcium release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum
- bromocriptine, dopamine agonist
MOA of ondansetron
5-HT3 (serotonin) antagonist
SEs of ondansetron
most common- constipation
- Prolonged QT
Neurological features of Friedreich’s ataxia
Gait ataxia + kyphoscoliosis are most common
- absent ankle jerks/extensor plantars
- cerebellar ataxia
- optic atrophy
- spinocerebellar tract degeneration
Associations of Friedrich’s ataxia?
- HOCM (90%, most common cause of death)
- High arched palate
- diabetes mellitus
Features of Ataxic telangiectasia?
- Telangiectasia
- cerebellar ataxia
- IgA deficiency -> recurrent infections
- increased risk of leukaemia/ lymphomas
drug causes of gingival hyperplasia?
phenytoin,
ciclosporin,
calcium channel blockers (especially nifedipine)
Cutaneous features of tuberous sclerosis?
- epigmented ‘ash-leaf’ spots which fluoresce under UV light
- roughened patches of skin over lumbar spine (Shagreen patches)
- adenoma sebaceum (angiofibromas): butterfly distribution over nose
- fibromata beneath nails (subungual fibromata)
- café-au-lait spots* may be seen
Management of Ramsay Hunt syndrome?
oral acyclovir and steroids
MOA of procyclidine?
antimuscarinic.
- help tremor and rigidity
- treats drug induced parkinonism
management of absence seizures in pregnancy?
lamotrigine
- ethosuximide / sodium valproate would not be first line in pregnancy/ breast feeding
Features of juvenile myoclonic epilepsy?
triad of:
- Myoclonic seizures
- Generalised tonic-clonic seizures
- Absence seizures
Management of juvenile myoclonic epilepsy?
sodium valproate
Lambert Eaton myasthenic disorder assoc w?
Small cell lung ca + less commonly- ovarian/ breast ca
anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis assoc w?
ovarian teratoma
Ix of anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis?
- anti-NMDA receptor antibodies
- US abdo for ovarian teratoma
- MRI head / CSF may be normal
Treatment of NMDA encephalitis?
- immunosuppression with IV steroids, Ig, rituximab, cyclophosphamide or plasma exchange, alone or in combination.
- Resection of teratoma
drug causes of tinnitus?
- Aspirin/NSAIDs
- Aminoglycosides - gentamicin
- Loop diuretics
- Quinine
CT findings in HSV encephalitis?
medial temporal and inferior frontal changes (e.g. petechial haemorrhages)
- normal in one-third of patients
inheritance pattern of Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy
auto dom
what is juvenile myoclonic epilepsy classically triggered by?
- in the morning/following sleep deprivation
- photosensitivity
What is parinaud syndrome?
- Upward gaze palsy, often manifesting as diplopia (can’t look up)
- Pupillary light-near dissociation (Pseudo-Argyll Robertson pupils)
- Convergence-retraction nystagmus
Where is the lesion in Parinaud syndrome (can’t look up)?
Dorsal midbrain
- rostral interstitial nucleus of MLF controls vertical gaze
What infection can cause spastic paraparesis?
HIV -> transverse myelitis
features of conduction aphasia?
speech fluent but repetition is poor. aware of the mistakes they are making. comprehension is normal.
Where is the lesion in conduction aphasia?
arcuate fasiculus - the connection between Wernicke’s and Broca’s area
Features of global aphasia?
severe expressive and receptive aphasia, may still be able to communicate using gestures.
Features of wernicke’s aphasia?
receptive aphasia
- Comprehension impaired.
- Speech fluent but makes no sense (Word salad)
where is the lesion in wernicke’s aphasia?
superior temporal gyrus
- usually supplied by inferior division of Left MCA
features of Broca’s aphasia?
Expressive aphasia.
- Speech is non fluent, laboured, halting.
- repetition impaired
- comprehension normal
Where is the lesion in Broca’s aphasia?
Inferior frontal gyrus.
- typically supplied by superior division of the left MCA.
speech fluent but repetition poor. Comprehension intact.
Conduction aphasia
- classically due to stroke affecting the arcuate fasciculus
What distinguishes between Neuromyelitis optica and Multiple sclerosis?
NMO-IgG seropositive
- Antibodies against aquaporin 4 antigen
absolute criteria for diagnosis of neuromyelitis optica?
optic neuritis, acute myelitis
What is Neuromyelitis optica?
- aka Devic’s disease
- autoimmune disorder attacking optic nerves and cervical cord
- vomiting is common
Diagnosis of neuromyelitis optica?
- requires bilateral optic neuritis, myelitis and 2/3 criteria:
1. spinal cord lesion involving >/=3 Spinal levels
2. Initially normal MRI brain
3. Aquaporin 4 positive serum antibody
what is the autoantibody in neuromyelitis optica?
NMO-IgG - aquaporin 4 positive antibody
Causes of bilateral facial nerve palsy?
- sarcoidosis
- Guillain-Barre syndrome
- Lyme disease
- bilateral acoustic neuromas (NF2)
- Bell’s palsy (can be b/l)
Causes of LMN unilateral facial n palsy?
- bilateral causes
- Bell’s palsy
- Ramsay-Hunt syndrome
- acoustic neuroma
- parotid tumours
- HIV
- multiple sclerosis*
- diabetes mellitus
Causes of UMN unilateral facial n palsy?
Stroke, MS
what medication does paroxysmal hemicranial and hemicrania continua respond well to?
indomethacin
SE of Lamotrigine?
Stevens-Johnson syndrome
what areas of the spinal cord are affected in subacute combined degeneration of the cord?
dorsal columns + lateral corticospinal tracts
features of subacute combined degeneration of the cord?
- joint position and vibration sense lost first then distal paraesthesia
- UMN signs typically develop in the legs, classically extensor plantars, brisk knee reflexes, absent ankle jerks
DVLA advice for Meniere’s disease?
patients should inform the DVLA.
cease driving until satisfactory control of symptoms is achieved
prevention of attacks in meniere’s diesese?
betahistine and vestibular rehabilitation exercises
1st line for newly diagnosed Parkinson’s who have motor symptoms affecting their quality of life?
Levodopa
management of Bells palsy if paralysis does not improve within 3 wks?
refer urgently to ENT
- referral to plastic surgery may be appropriate for patients with more long-standing weakness e.g. several months