Neurology Flashcards
Signs of forebrain dysfunction
- Altered mental status
- Behavioural change
- Blindness (central) w/ decreased/absent menace reflex
- Loss of smell
- Abnormal movements and posture
- Altered postural reactions
Signs of brainstem dysfunction
- CN deficits
- Proprioceptive deficits
- Hemi/tetraparesis
- Stupor or coma w/ abnormal pupil size
- Abnormalities in resp. and CDV function
Signs of cerebellum dysfunction
- Unaltered (normal) mental status
- Intention tremors (head and eye) and hypermetria w/ preservation of strength
- Ataxia, wide base stance (ie. vestibular signs)
- Loss of menace response
4 segments of the spinal cord
C1-C5
C6-T2
T3-L3
L4-S3
List the order in which spinal functions (4) are lost
- CP
- Voluntary motor function
- Superficial pain sensation
- Deep pain sensation
What is the motor function of UMN lesions?
reduced
What is the motor function of LMN lesions?
reduced
What is the muscle tone of UMN lesions?
increased
What is the muscle tone of LMN lesions?
reduced
contrast the muscle atrophy of UMN and LMN lesions?
UMN: slow and mild
LMN: rapid and severe
increased reflexes are associated with UMN or LMN lesions?
UMN
why might a dog with forebrain disease have a decrease in appetite?
due to loss of smell
most common congenital cause of forebrain disease
hydrocephalus
ddx for acquired forebrain disease
D A: epilepsy M: metabolic disorders (seizures) N: brain tumours I: inflammatory diseases (meningoencephalitis) T: hydrocephalus V: vascular accidents
why is congenital hydrocephalus usually asymptomatic?
because the CPP is normotensive
surgical management of hydrocephalus includes
insertion of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt
how do prednisolone/omeprazole help hydrocephalus cases?
they decrease CSF production
when are mannitol +/- frusemide indicated in hydrocephalus cases?
emergencies!
3 types of metastatic brain cancer
- haemangiosarcoma
- melanoma
- mammary carcinoma
tumors arising from meninges or supportive structures
- meningioma
- gliomas
- choroid plexus tumours
describe the palliative care plan of a dog with a brain tumour
- dexamethasone then prednisolone = glucocorticoids reduce the peri-neoplastic inflam and oedema and can be surprisingly effective
- manage seizures w/ anti-epileptic drugs
list 4 underlying disease states that could cause a ‘stroke’ in dogs
- renal disease
- hyperA
- hypertension
- hypercoagulable states
treatment of a ‘stroke’ in a dog
no specific treatment - episodes usually resolve over time (hrs to days)
the presence of an ‘aura’ indicates
that the cause of the seizure is intracranial
the most common type of seizure is
a generalised motor seizure - clonic-tonic muscle activity
describe the appearance of a partial/focal seizure
limited to a single region of motor activity - movement of a single limb/’fly catching’
describe the concept of kindling
The understanding that seizure frequency worsens over time and the seizure focus expands and enlarges to involve other regions of the brain. (like kindling a fire)
Thus best reason to be proactive in tx. of seizures
Generalisations of extracranial caused seizure presentation
- sudden in onset, generalised/cont (status) as caused by sudden exposure to toxin/metabolic crisis
Generalisations of intracranial caused seizure presentation
- tend to be isolated or clusters
- worsen (freq + severity) over wks - months
- focal or general
- usu have all three phases
what are the 3 phases of seizures
- aura
- seizure
- post-ictal
DDx for intracranial causes of seizures
D: hydrocephalus
A: meningoencephalitis of unknown aetiology (necrotizing encephalitis, GME), idiopathic epilepsy
M
N: neoplasia
I: viral (CDV, FIP), parasite (neospora), fungal (cryptococcus)
T
V: cerebrovascular accidents (+ underlying disease)
when would you strongly advise seizure investigation?
If >1 seizure/cluster/status or residual neurological abnormalities between seizures
what infectious diseases do you want to rule out early in seizure investigations?
Toxoplasma
Neospora (dogs)
Cryptococcus
FIP (cats)
Rough cost of CSF tap and analysis
1k
CT scan estimated cost
1.5-2k
MRI cost
> 2k
idiopathic epilepsy is unusual in cats (T/F?)
true - more likely to have primary disease
age of onset of idiopathic epilepsy
1-5yrs
two initial choices of AED
- Phenobarbitone
2. Imepitoin
add potassium bromide to initial treatment of idiopathic epilepsy if:
- Young GSD
2. Dogs w/ particularly severe seizures
Phenobarbitol dose
2-4mg/kg q12h PO
main side effects of phenobarbitol
drowsiness, ataxia – once tolerance develops this usu. wears off
less common side effect of phenobarbitol
PU/PD, polyphagia, biochemical hepatopathy
what is your aim phenobarbitol serum concentration?
15-30ug/ml